Try Firefox Safe Mode to see if the problem goes away. Safe Mode is a troubleshooting mode, which disables most add-ons.

(If you're not using it, switch to the Default theme.)

• You can open Firefox 4.0+ in Safe Mode by holding the Shift key when you open the Firefox desktop or Start menu shortcut.
• Or open the Help menu and click on the Restart with Add-ons Disabled... menu item while Firefox is running.

Once you get the pop-up, just select "'Start in Safe Mode"

If the issue is not present in Firefox Safe Mode, your problem is probably caused by an extension, and you need to figure out which one. Please follow the Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems article for that.

To exit the Firefox Safe Mode, just close Firefox and wait a few seconds before opening Firefox for normal use again.

When you figure out what's causing your issues, please let us know. It might help other users who have the same problem.

I know I was quite vague when I stated that I had tried every recommendation. However, this problem has been posted by at least 30 people that I have seen. There have been about 30 to 40 recommendations that include add-ons/safe mode, Rapport something, Real Player etc. [And I agree with the derision about Real Player, I never used it (EVER) even when it was popular] It may have something to do with Flash, I stayed with flash 10.2 for as long as I could. There came a time when I got OUT OF DATE errors about the older flash and I loaded the newer flash. If I completely remove flash, the freeze seems to go away a tad faster, but it still lasts for about a minute. And the freeze renews each time I access another page such as a youtube page, whether I access it through Youtube or from a site link.

don

I have this same exact problem. When I try to load a webpage I watch firefox connect to the page down in the bottom left hand corner, but then it hangs on a white screen and the text shows "Waiting for [insert web address]"

• I am running Windows XP 32bit SP3
• Firefox: 19.0.2
• Flash: "You have version 11,6,602,171 installed"

If I highlight the url when it's hanging and hit enter the page loads right away.

• I have tried resetting my router.
• I have renewed my IP
• I have tried Safemode by going to the help menu and starting firefox with addons disabled.
• I have cleared my history, cookies, cache and all that stuff.

I don't know what to do.

I also have the same problem. Hangs a lot even when I open only 3 tabs. I tried everything, clear this clear that, reboot, safemode, etc, none of it works. Then I tried disable Shockwave Flash plugin (from Add-Ons), and it worked. No more freeze, no more hangs. Anyhow, Mozilla Support should fix this problem. Can't disable Shockwave Flash plugin forever though. *sigh*

You can check for problems with current Flash plugin versions and try these:

• disable protected mode in Flash 11.3 and later
• disable hardware acceleration in the Flash plugin

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Flash#Troubleshooting

Try to boot the computer in Windows Safe mode with network support (press F8 on the boot screen) as a test to see if that helps.

I am having the same problem. I use Ubuntu 12.04 and use Flash version 11.2 r202. Since Ubuntu went canonical with 19.02. Firefox has been crashing endlessly. I uninstalled and installed a strip down version only with Flash. It still crashes.

I really appreciate the comments, but please keep comments to FIXES. I have a standard windows machine with standard installation of everything that is used on this computer. I have tried over 100 troubleshoots with NO good results. While the problem appears to be associated with Flash, removing flash or changing flash is NOT the answer. The answer would seem to be for Mozilla FireFox to fix the clash with flash, but they have not done so. thanks

Please fqyyy28, This is how forums work. IF we have the same problem we post in the current thread. It is pointless to go out and make a new thread that will either get locked or deleted for being a repeat thread.

A standard installation of windows and flash does not help your situation. You need to list your system specs so people know what they are dealing with. You have to be as detailed as possible if you are looking for a response. Because with the information you have given, I can think of over 25 different things that could be wrong with your system.

So, I uninstalled firefox and made to sure to delete all system settings during uninstall, including bookmarks, website preferences and all of that. reinstalled firefox and I also enabled "pipelining". I didn't change any of the values, just enabled it.

Now I don't have a problem!

Okay, I get it. And you are right. I mistakenly thought that this was a Firefox monitored forum and that I might get a response from them. [See closing line below.] I have researched this. I have loaded Firefox on 11 machines. [I am a tech with access to a work room with full bench.] All running windows [since that is where my problem is]. I have used Dell and HP base machines and Two that are VPro machines. I have used XP and Win 7, both Pro [I do not use home edition of anything,] I have used Firefox on these machines starting with v 6. I have blanked some of the machines and loaded a clean base load of Win with only Firefox and on some I allowed IE to load. I have started in safe with net and other configs. The problem seems to be since Flash 10.2, but after the problem manifests, even a clean removal and reversion to v 10 does not help. I have installed some alternate versions without benefit. The problem does seem more pronounced when other browsers are loaded, but their removal does not alleveate the Firefox problem. I have not studied this under Win 8. I have two new machines in the lab and will do that next week. !!!!!! The pipelining thing seems to actually help on first use. But dragged on following uses. I will study settings on this!!!!!! My main reason for running Firefox was to take advantage of the ad-blocker addin on machines that I set up for the kids. [The problem persists even on loads that do not include that] I am going to follow up on the pipeline settings. thanks for the help, sorry to be a whiner, I am getting to old for this. [I first programmed in Fortran and RPG I in 1969.}

Oh no problem. If adblock is the only thing you wanted to take advantage of, the creators of adblock and adblock plus have created an adblock for chrome. which does not seem to have any big issues at this point. [https://chrome.google.com/webstore/de.../gighmmpiobklfepjocnamgkkbiglidom?hl=en] It works great. I have used it on two different machines and it runs fine.

I really don't know how to help you. I did fresh install of firefox and the piplining trick and everything seems to work great.

Make sure you have the very very latest version of flash which is 11.6.602.180, They are coming out with new flash versions everyday... so make sure to keep freshly updated. Yesterday when I posted my first message flash was at 11.6.602.171. So just from yesterday they have updated flash yet again.

It's a work in progress.

I have the problem on first start up. After I load firefox, and go into gmail, it hangs for over 2 mins, then stops responding. After I re load ff it's just fine.

I am not going to dis able a thing. I still run xp and cannot afford to get a new computer/newer version of windows. Java etc should have already been fixed and I'm tired of ff releasing these updates without making sure it all works before hand.

I'll just go back to using IE again. This is crazy and a complete waste of my time.

@crystalsno

If you are not willing to disable anything and test out what the problem could be, then I don't even know if I want to help you figure out what is wrong with your system.

It's not Mozilla's fault. Apparently it has to do with flash at this point. If you want to blame somebody, blame yourself and adobe. You for being like a brick wall and adobe cause they just suck anyway.

You can go ahead and go back to IE, The browser that is behind 3 years. lol.

ugghh your attitude just makes me want to vomit.

Yeah I don't even want to help you..

Sirtokes...It's NOT my system. It IS Mozilla's fault. They apparently haven't corrected the flash problem on the XP level. I do NOT have this problem at my work which runs windows 7.

The reason why I don't feel like disabling things is because most of the time ya'll ask me to disable something, then I can't ever get it to work again or it takes me FOREVER to enable them again, update and tweak it to get it running smooth again. Then I get.."gee sorry it must be your system." NOT! I'm SO sick n tired of techs trying to blame MY system when I keep it running smooth and virus free.

It's Mozilla, it's windows xp and it's 19.0.2 version. I wasn't having this problem until this version was released. I'll probably also get....gee you might want to upgrade to windows 7. Guess what? I DON'T have the money to do that or I'd have done it already!

How about you walk a mile in my shoes with my attitude? If you did, you'd understand that a lot of techs ALWAYS try to say it's the owners system and NOT their products. This problem did NOT start occuring until this version of Mozilla was released, so I'd say it's definitely Mozilla's problem that they need to correct. I do agree with you...Adobe SUCKS but there's nothing I can do about their products.

Since I started this thread, I am going to mediate a little here. First, to crystalsno: You are using an operating systems that is over ten years old. I am sorry that you cannot afford to update, but if you cannot make changes without trouble, you should take your system to a tech, and let the tech fix it for you. To Sirtokes: It is okay if crystalsno is unable to do fixes himself. There are millions of users who cannot. As I mentioned before, I am getting older and it is getting harder for me to do the tech stuff. And hey, if crystalsno is using a ten year old OS, why not let him use a 3 year old browser with it. To anybody: The problem may be Mozilla, it may even be their fault, but how much did you pay for Firefox. If someone gave you a new car for free, would you complain because the seat wasn't adjusted for you. Do you have ANY idea how many lines of code go into something like Firefox? Even though I get many complaints, and many responses that take me nowhere, I am thankful that techies out there at least try to lend a hand. About the problem at hand, I have tweaked the pipelining and it has helped [some.] I have also send notes to Adobe about the problem and though I got no solution, they say that they are looking into the flash problem. One tech there did say that the problem seems more prevalent on computers with multiple browsers active. Luck to all...

@ fqyyy28

LOL um first I'm a female (no you couldn't know that but how many males do you know that would have a female type id)?

2nd...if I can't afford to buy a new computer to update my OS, do you HONESTLY believe I can afford to take it to a tech to have him fix it? ROFL...ty for making me laugh...I certainly needed it. My 10 year old OS has done quite well and as I state, I take EXTREME excellent care of it and I'm proud of that fact. How many viruses have you had? Me? I've had NONE!!! Now tell me fqyyy28. How old is your car? If it's 10 years old or even older, I suggest you replace it even if it's running extremely well because as you state you're getting older and things are getting rougher for you to figure out. You just need to find a way to upgrade your car. It is after all, over 10 years old. Yep...sounds a little ridiculous doesn't it?

Yes, I'm quite AWARE of all the types of codes that go into a program like ff. Are you AWARE of how many codes go into an OS? Is FF free? Certainly, and I am grateful for that...however....to constantly see many companies that offer free programs like ff and yahoo etc that CONSTANTLY release update on top of update (usually within a few months of each other), and expect things to run smoothly on many different OS is not the brightest crayon in the box now is it. On top of all that, those very same companies have employee's that tell us...it's not their release that isn't working...it's OUR OS....

Oh and guess what? Yes programs like ff and yahoo are free, but where do you think they get the $ to pay for their employee's? They aren't lacking in funds I can promise you. The advertisers are paying for the company to make a profit, otherwise the company, simply wouldn't be in existence now would it?

Have a wonderful day :)

I've had this problem for several years and many revisions of Firefox now (currently on 19.0.2). It usually occurs after I have loaded 5-10 tabs, and then go to certain sites. TomsHardware.com usually triggers the problem, and so might be used for testing. As the other person indicated, the computer locks up for 30-90 seconds before eventually freeing up. When it starts you can click the mouse 3-4 times trying to make something happen, after which you get an irritating complaint beep. This is annoying to say the least.

  I have seen this occur once with Chrome, but I don't use that browser as often.  And I probably had Firefox running at the same time, so that may still have been the problem.
  Running Windows Vista (32bit) on 1.83 GHz Core 2 duo HP system with  2 Gb of memory.

Oh, and I have tried the usual recommendations - disabling addons & extensions, disabling hardware acceleration in Firefox and Adobe Flash player, etc. I have not yet tried rebuilding the places database, but I don't have much hope that that is going to work since this seems more like a memory usage issue (bad garbage collection?) than anything else.

to crystalsno: Figured you to be female or a druggie with a handle like yours. but i used "him" as default. Point taken about the 10 year old car. I have a car that is exactly 10 years old. However, I do not work on it myself. I take it to a mechanic. I would not try to fix it myself. I would appreciate free tips from mechanics but would still take it to a shop that I trust for repairs. And if it becomes so outdated that the mechanic will not fix it, I will get a newer one or beg a ride from friends.

@fqyy28

ROFL!!! Again...you made me laugh today. Love it! It was seriously needed. Soooo many believe my id has something to do with drugs. Typical of any one who has probably done drugs or continues to do them that would see my id as something to do with drugs. Couldn't be further from the truth. Ever see the movie Dark Crystal? I grew up in the midwest so I LOVE snow. Crystalsnow was taken back then,(unless I wanted to add some numbers after it and no I didn't want to do that), so I shortened it to sno. I've actually never done any kinds of drugs in my life. Not even pot. Am I better than any one? No, just proud of the fact that I've kept the good old fashioned morals and values intact in today's world full of hypocrites and companies that try to control us by telling us, that if we are rich, we are better. If we are poor, we aren't worth anything....just wasted space.

I've not had to fix anything on my computer since I've owned it, because it is an excellent brand and because I'm so very careful with it. I've just learned how to tweak it over the years, and received some excellent advice from other's who know OS and or work with them.

Have a wonderful evening :)