I ended up signing into the default matrix web site and resetting my account there (which uses github for authentication). For whatever reason I was then able to log into fedora server and reset my account. Not sure what was necessary and what was happen stance but I am back in Fedora matrix land.
Installed the element app via flatpak. If I follow the “no encryption” path (no choice), I eventually see the message below. I do not know who the element admin is for Fedora. This is before sign in so there must be a credential cache somewhere?
There was a problem communicating with the homeserver, please try again later.(M_UNRECOGNIZED)
Your Element is misconfigured
Ask your Element admin to check your config for incorrect or duplicate entries.
Homeserver
https://chat.fedoraproject.org
Greetings. Thanks for getting back to me. I tested Chrome and Chromium - both work. Firefox is still failing with the “misconfigured” message and javascript errors in the console (both private and normal windows). Interestingly, while in a Chrome session I closed out all other sessions and tried my best to clear out any data/cookies etc in Firefox but still encountered the misconfigured message.
Should I open a ticked with the matrix/element project and see if there is any guidance from that quarter?
Does it happen in a new firefox profile? and/or with a new user? Or with firefox started with –safe-mode (which would point to some extenstion being the problem).
Thanks for the suggestions. Both safe mode and a new profile result in the same error. I also get the same error on a different profile where I did a refresh for firefox. I will try with a ticket on the element-web github repository.
By happenstance I used firefox to log into chat just now - and I was directed into the log in process which succeeded. Not sure what was changed or where (if anything), but I this is no longer an issue. Many thanks @kevin .