hello, could you go to the firefox menu ≡ > help ? > troubleshooting information, copy the contents of that page and paste them here into a reply on the forum? this might give us a clue what is going on...

This could be the new multi process Firefox. A big question is does the extra CPU usage speed Firefox up ? if so it may be doing what is intended.

That is not given to everyone yet, and not fully tested & complete. It does have some compatibility issues. It is if I recall correctly expected to increase security and drasticaly speed up Firefox but it will increase slightly the RAM requirements, and gets the increased speed from using more processing and will therefore likely increase CPU usage.

I think this gets turned off in Firefox's safe mode. There are methods of turning it off if it causes problems. Try safe mode first of all does that help & do you still get two instances of Firefox ?

• Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode

Please paste your troubleshooting info in to a reply. Do not include anything else in that reply & to save space delete any print related information from the reply. Use a further separate reply for any comments or answers

To the correct solution to your problem, we need some more non-personal information from you. Please do the following:

1. Use ONE of these methods to open the Firefox Troubleshooting Information page:
   • Click the menu button , click on help and select Troubleshooting Information.
   • Type about:support into the Firefox address bar and press the enter key.
2. At the top of the Troubleshooting Information page that comes up, you should see a button that says "Copy text to clipboard". Click it.
3. Now, go back to your forum post, right-click in the reply box and select Paste from the context menu (or else click inside the reply box and press the Ctrl+V keys) to paste all the information you copied into the forum post.

If you need further information about the Troubleshooting information page, please read the article Use the Troubleshooting Information page to help fix Firefox issues.

Thanks in advance for your help!

For technically inclined readers of this thread wanting more information please see

• https://wiki.mozilla.org/Electrolysis

For more user friendly information also see Mozilla Blogs

• The “Why” of Electrolysis
  https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2016/04/11/the-why-of-electrolysis/
• What’s Next for Multi-process Firefox
  https://blog.mozilla.org/futurereleases/2016/08/02/whats-next-for-multi-process-firefox/

philipp said

hello, could you go to the firefox menu ≡ > help ? > troubleshooting information, copy the contents of that page and paste them here into a reply on the forum? this might give us a clue what is going on...

Here is what I found...

Application Basics

Name: Firefox Version: 50.0 Build ID: 20161104212021 Update Channel: release User Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; WOW64; rv:50.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/50.0 OS: Windows_NT 6.1 Multiprocess Windows: 1/1 (Enabled by default) Safe Mode: false

Crash Reports for the Last 3 Days

All Crash Reports

Extensions

Name: Adblock Plus Version: 2.8.1 Enabled: true ID: {d10d0bf8-f5b5-c8b4-a8b2-2b9879e08c5d}

Name: Application Update Service Helper Version: 1.0 Enabled: true ID: aushelper@mozilla.org

Name: Multi-process staged rollout Version: 1.5 Enabled: true ID: e10srollout@mozilla.org

Name: Pocket Version: 1.0.5 Enabled: true ID: firefox@getpocket.com

Name: Web Compat Version: 1.0 Enabled: true ID: webcompat@mozilla.org

Name: Avast Online Security Version: 12.0.88 Enabled: false ID: wrc@avast.com

Name: Avast SafePrice Version: 10.3.5.39 Enabled: false ID: sp@avast.com

Name: HP Smart Web Printing Version: 4.51 Enabled: false ID: smartwebprinting@hp.com

Graphics

Features Compositing: Basic Asynchronous Pan/Zoom: wheel input enabled WebGL Renderer: Google Inc. -- ANGLE (Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family Direct3D9Ex vs_3_0 ps_3_0) WebGL2 Renderer: (no info) Hardware H264 Decoding: No; Hardware video decoding disabled or blacklisted Audio Backend: wasapi Direct2D: Blocked for your graphics driver version. DirectWrite: false (6.1.7600.16385) GPU #1 Active: Yes Description: Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family Vendor ID: 0x8086 Device ID: 0x2a42 Driver Version: 8.15.10.1808 Driver Date: 6-3-2009 Drivers: igdumd64 igd10umd64 igdumdx32 igd10umd32 Subsys ID: 360b103c RAM: Unknown

Diagnostics AzureCanvasAccelerated: 0 AzureCanvasBackend: skia AzureContentBackend: cairo AzureFallbackCanvasBackend: cairo failures: [GFX1-]: D3D11 layers disabled due to a prior crash. Decision Log HW_COMPOSITING: crashed_on_startup by runtime: Crashed during startup in a previous session D3D11_COMPOSITING: crashed_on_startup by runtime: Harware acceleration crashed during startup in a previous sessi D3D9_COMPOSITING: disabled by default: Disabled by default DIRECT2D: Blocklisted; failure code BLOCKLIST_FEATURE_FAILURE_DL_BLACKLIST_g984 crashed_on_startup by runtime: Harware acceleration crashed during startup in a previous sessi D3D11_HW_ANGLE: disabled by env: D3D11 compositing is disabled Crash Guard Disabled Features D3D11 Compositor: Reset on Next Restart

Failure Log (#0) Error: D3D11 layers disabled due to a prior crash.

Important Modified Preferences

browser.cache.disk.capacity: 358400 browser.cache.disk.filesystem_reported: 1 browser.cache.disk.smart_size.first_run: false browser.cache.frecency_experiment: 3 browser.download.importedFromSqlite: true browser.places.smartBookmarksVersion: 8 browser.sessionstore.upgradeBackup.latestBuildID: 20161104212021 browser.startup.homepage_override.buildID: 20161104212021 browser.startup.homepage_override.mstone: 50.0 browser.tabs.remote.autostart.2: true browser.urlbar.daysBeforeHidingSuggestionsPrompt: 2 browser.urlbar.lastSuggestionsPromptDate: 20161117 extensions.lastAppVersion: 50.0 gfx.blacklist.direct2d: 3 gfx.blacklist.direct2d.failureid: FEATURE_FAILURE_DL_BLACKLIST_g984 gfx.crash-guard.d3d11layers.appVersion: 50.0 gfx.crash-guard.d3d11layers.deviceID: 0x2a42 gfx.crash-guard.d3d11layers.driverVersion: 8.15.10.1808 gfx.crash-guard.d3d11layers.feature-d2d: false gfx.crash-guard.d3d11layers.feature-d3d11: true gfx.crash-guard.status.d3d11layers: 3 media.gmp-eme-adobe.abi: x86-msvc-x64 media.gmp-eme-adobe.lastUpdate: 1479356167 media.gmp-eme-adobe.version: 17 media.gmp-gmpopenh264.abi: x86-msvc-x64 media.gmp-gmpopenh264.lastUpdate: 1479356168 media.gmp-gmpopenh264.version: 1.6 media.gmp-manager.buildID: 20161104212021 media.gmp-manager.lastCheck: 1479356164 media.gmp-widevinecdm.abi: x86-msvc-x64 media.gmp-widevinecdm.lastUpdate: 1479356171 media.gmp-widevinecdm.version: 1.4.8.903 media.gmp.storage.version.observed: 1 media.hardware-video-decoding.failed: true network.cookie.prefsMigrated: true network.predictor.cleaned-up: true places.database.lastMaintenance: 1479357383 places.history.expiration.transient_current_max_pages: 104858 plugin.disable_full_page_plugin_for_types: application/pdf plugin.importedState: true security.sandbox.content.tempDirSuffix: {8c4b0921-b550-48af-8fff-5cd66936e243} storage.vacuum.last.index: 0 storage.vacuum.last.places.sqlite: 1479357383

Important Locked Preferences

Places Database

JavaScript

Incremental GC: true

Accessibility

Activated: false Prevent Accessibility: 0

Library Versions

NSPR Expected minimum version: 4.12 Version in use: 4.12

NSS Expected minimum version: 3.26.2 Version in use: 3.26.2

NSSSMIME Expected minimum version: 3.26.2 Version in use: 3.26.2

NSSSSL Expected minimum version: 3.26.2 Version in use: 3.26.2

NSSUTIL Expected minimum version: 3.26.2 Version in use: 3.26.2

Experimental Features

Sandbox

Content Process Sandbox Level: 1

John99 said

I restarted Firefox in safe mode, but the second instance still occurs. It does not make Firefox run faster as it is forcing my computer to use almost 100% of the CPU every time I open a new page. Watching youtube is almost impossible and I cannot have multiple tabs open for research.

Here are the logistics

Application Basics

Name: Firefox Version: 50.0 Build ID: 20161104212021 Update Channel: release User Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; WOW64; rv:50.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/50.0 OS: Windows_NT 6.1 Multiprocess Windows: 1/1 (Enabled by default) Safe Mode: false

Crash Reports for the Last 3 Days

All Crash Reports

Extensions

Name: Adblock Plus Version: 2.8.1 Enabled: true ID: {d10d0bf8-f5b5-c8b4-a8b2-2b9879e08c5d}

Name: Application Update Service Helper Version: 1.0 Enabled: true ID: aushelper@mozilla.org

Name: Multi-process staged rollout Version: 1.5 Enabled: true ID: e10srollout@mozilla.org

Name: Pocket Version: 1.0.5 Enabled: true ID: firefox@getpocket.com

Name: Web Compat Version: 1.0 Enabled: true ID: webcompat@mozilla.org

Name: Avast Online Security Version: 12.0.88 Enabled: false ID: wrc@avast.com

Name: Avast SafePrice Version: 10.3.5.39 Enabled: false ID: sp@avast.com

Name: HP Smart Web Printing Version: 4.51 Enabled: false ID: smartwebprinting@hp.com

Graphics

Features Compositing: Basic Asynchronous Pan/Zoom: wheel input enabled WebGL Renderer: Google Inc. -- ANGLE (Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family Direct3D9Ex vs_3_0 ps_3_0) WebGL2 Renderer: (no info) Hardware H264 Decoding: No; Hardware video decoding disabled or blacklisted Audio Backend: wasapi Direct2D: Blocked for your graphics driver version. DirectWrite: false (6.1.7600.16385) GPU #1 Active: Yes Description: Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family Vendor ID: 0x8086 Device ID: 0x2a42 Driver Version: 8.15.10.1808 Driver Date: 6-3-2009 Drivers: igdumd64 igd10umd64 igdumdx32 igd10umd32 Subsys ID: 360b103c RAM: Unknown

Diagnostics AzureCanvasAccelerated: 0 AzureCanvasBackend: skia AzureContentBackend: cairo AzureFallbackCanvasBackend: cairo failures: [GFX1-]: D3D11 layers disabled due to a prior crash. Decision Log HW_COMPOSITING: crashed_on_startup by runtime: Crashed during startup in a previous session D3D11_COMPOSITING: crashed_on_startup by runtime: Harware acceleration crashed during startup in a previous sessi D3D9_COMPOSITING: disabled by default: Disabled by default DIRECT2D: Blocklisted; failure code BLOCKLIST_FEATURE_FAILURE_DL_BLACKLIST_g984 crashed_on_startup by runtime: Harware acceleration crashed during startup in a previous sessi D3D11_HW_ANGLE: disabled by env: D3D11 compositing is disabled Crash Guard Disabled Features D3D11 Compositor: Reset on Next Restart

Failure Log (#0) Error: D3D11 layers disabled due to a prior crash.

Important Modified Preferences

browser.cache.disk.capacity: 358400 browser.cache.disk.filesystem_reported: 1 browser.cache.disk.smart_size.first_run: false browser.cache.frecency_experiment: 3 browser.download.importedFromSqlite: true browser.places.smartBookmarksVersion: 8 browser.sessionstore.upgradeBackup.latestBuildID: 20161104212021 browser.startup.homepage_override.buildID: 20161104212021 browser.startup.homepage_override.mstone: 50.0 browser.tabs.remote.autostart.2: true browser.urlbar.daysBeforeHidingSuggestionsPrompt: 2 browser.urlbar.lastSuggestionsPromptDate: 20161117 extensions.lastAppVersion: 50.0 gfx.blacklist.direct2d: 3 gfx.blacklist.direct2d.failureid: FEATURE_FAILURE_DL_BLACKLIST_g984 gfx.crash-guard.d3d11layers.appVersion: 50.0 gfx.crash-guard.d3d11layers.deviceID: 0x2a42 gfx.crash-guard.d3d11layers.driverVersion: 8.15.10.1808 gfx.crash-guard.d3d11layers.feature-d2d: false gfx.crash-guard.d3d11layers.feature-d3d11: true gfx.crash-guard.status.d3d11layers: 3 media.gmp-eme-adobe.abi: x86-msvc-x64 media.gmp-eme-adobe.lastUpdate: 1479356167 media.gmp-eme-adobe.version: 17 media.gmp-gmpopenh264.abi: x86-msvc-x64 media.gmp-gmpopenh264.lastUpdate: 1479356168 media.gmp-gmpopenh264.version: 1.6 media.gmp-manager.buildID: 20161104212021 media.gmp-manager.lastCheck: 1479356164 media.gmp-widevinecdm.abi: x86-msvc-x64 media.gmp-widevinecdm.lastUpdate: 1479356171 media.gmp-widevinecdm.version: 1.4.8.903 media.gmp.storage.version.observed: 1 media.hardware-video-decoding.failed: true network.cookie.prefsMigrated: true network.predictor.cleaned-up: true places.database.lastMaintenance: 1479357383 places.history.expiration.transient_current_max_pages: 104858 plugin.disable_full_page_plugin_for_types: application/pdf plugin.importedState: true security.sandbox.content.tempDirSuffix: {8c4b0921-b550-48af-8fff-5cd66936e243} storage.vacuum.last.index: 0 storage.vacuum.last.places.sqlite: 1479357383

Important Locked Preferences

Places Database

JavaScript

Incremental GC: true

Accessibility

Activated: false Prevent Accessibility: 0

Library Versions

NSPR Expected minimum version: 4.12 Version in use: 4.12

NSS Expected minimum version: 3.26.2 Version in use: 3.26.2

NSSSMIME Expected minimum version: 3.26.2 Version in use: 3.26.2

NSSSSL Expected minimum version: 3.26.2 Version in use: 3.26.2

NSSUTIL Expected minimum version: 3.26.2 Version in use: 3.26.2

Experimental Features

Sandbox

Content Process Sandbox Level: 1

thank you, so as john99 already suspected your firefox is already using the new multi-process architecture (refer to the links at the bottom of his reply) - this is normal and no sign of malware. please also note that the plugin-container.exe now got renamed to firefox.exe as well...

philipp said

thank you, so as john99 already suspected your firefox is already using the new multi-process architecture (refer to the links at the bottom of his reply) - this is normal and no sign of malware. please also note that the plugin-container.exe now got renamed to firefox.exe as well...

Philipp,

Is there any way to revert to an earlier version of Firefox or are there any steps I can take to prevent it from eating my CPU (upwards of 100% usage at a time)? I enjoy using Firefox, but in truth this new update is killing it's usability for me.

Did you try safe mode that probably stops multi process Firefox. It is only a temporary troubleshooting step rather than a solution - & I still need to check it does stop multi process.

I think there will be prefs that can be flipped to stop multi process. Philipp probably knows which they are, I would need to look them up.

The question is why are you seeing such poor performance, with only a handful of add-ons installed. The multi process change is intended to be an improvement.

John99 said

Yes, safe mode is currently active. The problem still occurs. Looking at which programs are eating my CPU the top two are almost always Firefox.exe . I'm not sure why it jumps from 8% to 60% usage while the second instance of Firefox.exe goes from 0% to 30%. I'm used to the jump occurring when I load up a new page, but not to the point where it stops all processes on my computer and causes Firefox to freeze for five minutes or more while it retrieves data. Again, I just restarted my computer so there is little to nothing on it and I've gone through to take off unnecessary background processes to speed it up. Hopefully there is a way to trouble shoot the problem.

Thank you for answering my inquiry. You've been very helpful!

OK I am not certain of the correct exact method of disabling multi process Firefox but this is safe and works for me.

Back up the file prefs.js by making a copy and call it prefs.js.vo1 This is to make sure if anything goes wrong you have a simple method of reverting to the prior configuration. Key in to the address bar about:profiles press Enter key. Use the button [show profiles] to open your profile folder. Close Firefox and make a copy of the file prefs.js rename that copy prefs.js.v01

Toggle the ...tabs.remote... prefs to false Re open Firefox. Key in about:config press Enter key Look for the prefs that need changing. Key in on the search line bs.r wait a while for it to filter them. I see

browser.tabs.remote.autostart 
browser.tabs.remote.autostart.2
browser.tabs.remote.desktopbehavior;false

Right click each one in turn, and use the Toggle option to set each to false Restart Firefox so the change takes place.

You should then be in ordinary Firefox without multi process. Use about:troubleshooting to check. The Multiprocess Windows entry should start with a zero e.g.

Multiprocess Windows 	0/1 (Disabled)

Did the steps in my last post successfully turn off multi process Firefox for you, and did that solve the immediate problems ?

If you have the time and inclination there is some troubleshooting you could do to try to figure out what causes this issue for you. If you have the time to help us further please let me know.

That however is more for the benefits of others, or for you in the future. Thanks for the troubleshooting information, that in itself should help us when combined with other reports.

John99 said

John99, Yes, I successfully turned off the process. I still notice that Firefox is using a LOT of CPU (still almost 100%), but without the multiprocess I'm finding loading pages, emails, and videos to be going much faster. I'd still like to speed up Firefox and prevent it from using so much CPU. Maybe if we go through the other troubleshooting steps we can figure out what went wrong with the multiprocess and hopefully I'll be able to figure out how to improve Firefox's CPU usage as well. It might take me some time due to work during the day, but if the trial an error helps someone else out and gives me more tools to help me troubleshoot in the future I'm willing to give it a shot.

I just upgraded today to 51.0.1, had same issue.

Likewise solved by turning off this feature (after previously uninstalling/reinstalling, resetting, safe mode, check graphics driver, turning off webgl....none of which helped)

so thanks!