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Firefox freezes when loading sites and opening tabs

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  • 1670 have this problem
  • 237 views
  • Last reply by Silichip

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My Firefox often freezes when I'm trying to open a site in one tab or several. The freezing lasts for a couple of seconds but its really frustrating.

The version is the latest stable (3.6.13) I've tried re-installing the browser, but the broblem persists.

My Firefox often freezes when I'm trying to open a site in one tab or several. The freezing lasts for a couple of seconds but its really frustrating. The version is the latest stable (3.6.13) I've tried re-installing the browser, but the broblem persists.

Chosen solution

Start Firefox in Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode to check if one of the add-ons is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Tools > Add-ons > Themes).

  • Don't make any changes on the Safe mode start window.

See:

If it does work in Safe-mode then disable all extensions and then try to find which is causing it by enabling one at a time until the problem reappears.

  • Use "Disable all add-ons" on the Safe mode start window to disable all extensions.
  • Close and restart Firefox after each change via "File > Exit" (Mac: "Firefox > Quit"; Linux: "File > Quit")
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All Replies (20)

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Chosen Solution

Start Firefox in Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode to check if one of the add-ons is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Tools > Add-ons > Themes).

  • Don't make any changes on the Safe mode start window.

See:

If it does work in Safe-mode then disable all extensions and then try to find which is causing it by enabling one at a time until the problem reappears.

  • Use "Disable all add-ons" on the Safe mode start window to disable all extensions.
  • Close and restart Firefox after each change via "File > Exit" (Mac: "Firefox > Quit"; Linux: "File > Quit")
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OK. The broblem seemed to be in the F-Secure Browser Security add-on. When I disabled it, the browser stopped freezing on every page.

Looks like firefox has some compatibility issues with F-Secure software.

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well I don't use F-secure [whatever that is] but am experiencing intermittent freezing of FF pages which affects closing the page through the top right hand x, or through the bottom toolbar right-click/close so have to close through task manager all my add-ons are updated etc, and cache is cleared regularly and java is updated etc

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I have started Firefox in safe mode and it still does it. Its always the same. Not long after Firefox 3.6 starts it will freeze while I try to do something. This lasts up to a minute.

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I have had this problem for a number of versions of Firefox now, going back probably two years. I've removed all add-ins, reinstalled Firefox, upgraded, downgraded, installed Windows updates, and replaced my PC and OS (now running Windows 7) and the problem still happens. I also note that in my case the freeze affects the entire PC not just Firefox, but if I check the Windows task manager the CPU utilisation is down at 5-15%, not 100% as I would have expected. I interpret this as implying that Firefox is holding some OS resources other than CPU that prevents other applications from running smoothly.

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This is the problem I'm having. I just recently got a new laptop with Windows 7 and I'm constantly having my whole computer freeze up while Firefox is being used. Sometimes to the point of having to manually power down my laptop. I've never had these problems with my old laptop and Windows Vista. If it keeps up I guess I'll go to IE or try another browser which is a shame because I really like Firefox.

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didnt help for me either. ffx updated and immediately thereafter, it locks whenever I try to open a new tab, safe mode or not.

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OK. Win 7 64bit. Firefox ver 3.6.13 When loading pages, clicking anywhere on page or trying to scroll, even after page has rendered, causes FF to grey-out, for up to 30 seconds.

To test sans addons etc, I loaded a new session of FF with no extensions or addons, with same result. Loading same sites/pages in Chrome or IE does not cause a freeze.

Watching the status bar in FF, it always freezing while waiting for external urls to load, such as static.facebook, or api.twitter or google.syndication, quantcast and the list goes on...

Again, Chrome & IE don't have this issue.

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I am having similar problems. Open a site in a new tab and firefox locks up. Can't minimize, can't use the currently open tab.

I can alt-tab and use other programs. Ran a tracert while this was happening and I don't see any connections issues.

Can run IE and load the exact same page at the same time and IE doesn't get hung up and just sit there with a progress indicator.

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Same thing happening to me as well. Windows 7 64bit Firefox 4 RC1. Happened in earlier versions as well.

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THANK GOD it's not just me!! I have had this problem for MONTHS. When I open new tabs in firefox, it randomly (VERY FREQUENTLY) completely freezes for around 20-30 seconds. NOTHING in the browser responds until it wakes itself up. I can roam around the computer (winxp)

I have reinstalled multiple times, went thru SAFE MODE, uninstalled all apps, disabled all apps, returned to default. I have gone back many versions of firefox.. All suddenly appears.

The weird thing is that while it hangs, I can CTRL-F4 (close program) it and then reload firefox and it immediately works, until I open a link in a tab then it pauses again for like 20-30+ seconds.

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Firefox has recently started freezing when I have multiple windows and tabs open. Although I've used Firefox for many years I've had enough - not buying any do-this-and-that patch-ups. I'm switching to Chrome.

Modified by floatingweed

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I have always used firefox since it came out as version 1 years ago and I must say this is the worst version I have ever used.

This thing keeps on freezing up every five minutes whether you are using it or keeping it idle. Never mind freezing when you use multiple tabs and windows. This thing keep freezing from the moment i open it up to when I go to my first website.

I have had this problem when I started version 4. The add-ons I had when I was using 3.6 are not compatible to version 4 and I don't think they will upgrade those add-ons. The browser freezes very frequently and sometimes Fastestfox prevents me from viewing websites when I'm using a search engine like Google. I hope Mozilla is finding a way to fix these problems, otherwise, I'm switching to another browser, maybe IE or Chrome

Modified by Baramos2501

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Yeah, I've got to say this could be a deal killer for me. I've been using FF since the earliest versions, but this problem makes the browser unusable.

Here is the problem: when browsing with multiple tabs open, the program freezes randomly (spikes the CPU at 100% on my intel macbook). Not able to replicate what precisely triggers it. I can wait it out sometimes, and it will return to normal after 25 seconds - 5 minutes, but have let it spike/freeze for up to a half hour before without it ever resolving itself. Cannot even exit the program, have to force quit.

Have about 30 add ons installed, and have not been able to pinpoint which one might be causing this (if any), and don't really have the time to hunt down the bug personally. I also use Chrome, Safari, and IE, and might have to switch to one of them as my primary browser unless this gets fixed. Love FF4 except for this fatal flaw though.

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I had the problem too. I think its probably an addon that is creating the problem and not something wrong with FF itself. For me it was the Bitdefender ant-phishing toolbar.

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After completely fresh installation of Firefox 4, I still get freezes. Even when opening this page in new tab or just opening it normally... here it is how it hangs for like 10-20sec:

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I've got this problem too when I'm pressing Ctrl+Left Click to a link in order to open a web page into the new tab. If I right click and open a new tab to the link, I am able to open the web page successfully without any hangs/delay problem.

Anyway, I found the solution. It seems like I have Internet Download Manager to bind the Ctrl+Left Click to force downloading with IDM. It seems creating a conflict so when I change the binding to Insert+Left Click, the problem is gone.

You might have the same application or other download manager or any other application that have a binding with Ctrl+Left Click. Change that binding and your problem should be solved.

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Checked again "Firefox Hangs" article, and nothing there that fixes this issue. I don't have any extension or addon or download manager. Scanned with ESET smart security 4 and with Spybot S&D and everything is clear...... this is slowly dragging me away from FF...

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I turned off personas and it seemed to clear up for me.

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I had the same problem and after reading this i went to my add ons and removed the following items ANYTHING NORTON!! tvbario bar and anything that said it was supported by FF4

now my FF works better then before!!!!

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