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When Firefox hangs, it stops responding to your clicks and doesn't seem to do anything. This article covers the various solutions depending on when they happen.

When Firefox '''hangs''', it stops responding to your clicks and keystrokes and doesn't seem to be doing anything. {for win}Also, a "(Not Responding)" label is displayed in the title bar and the mouse cursor becomes a {for win7,win8}spinning wheel{/for}{for winxp}hourglass{/for} when it's over the Firefox window.{/for}{for not win}Also, the mouse becomes a spinning wait cursor when it's over the Firefox window.{/for} This article gives you solutions to Firefox hangs depending on when they happen. * If Firefox uses a lot of computer resources, see the solutions proposed in [[Firefox uses too many CPU resources - How to fix]] and [[Firefox uses too much memory (RAM) - How to fix]]. * If you get a "Warning: Unresponsive script" prompt, see [[Warning Unresponsive script - What it means and how to fix it]]. * If Firefox closes unexpectedly, see [[Firefox crashes - Troubleshoot, prevent and get help fixing crashes]]. To resolve hanging problems not specifically mentioned in this article, or if the suggested solutions do not solve the problem, see [[Troubleshoot and diagnose Firefox problems]]. {note}'''Note:''' [[Template:reset-fx]]{/note} {note}'''Note:''' If you [[Send performance data to Mozilla to help improve Firefox|send performance data]], Mozilla will gather data including hangs for your Firefox, which will help making Firefox better for future versions.{/note} __TOC__ = Firefox hangs at random times = If Firefox seems to hang randomly and not after a specific action (for example, downloading a file or quitting Firefox), try the solutions in this section. ==Create a new ''places'' database== If hangs are '''periodic''', it may be caused by a corrupted ''places'' database. {note}'''Information''': The "places" files store the annotations, bookmarks, favorite icons, input history, keywords, and browsing history (a record of visited pages). {/note} To create a new ''places'' database, do the following: {warning}'''Warning:''' This will clear your browsing history and remove bookmarks of the day.{/warning} #[[Template:ProfileFolder]] #[[T:closeFirefox]] Wait until Firefox has completely quit. # In the Firefox profile folder, find and rename the files '''places.sqlite''' to '''places.sqlite.old''' and '''places.sqlite-journal''' to '''places.sqlite-journal.old''' (if it exists). #* To rename a file, {for win,linux}right-click on it and select rename from the menu{/for}{for mac}click on it once to select it and then click a second time on the file name to make it editable{/for}. Then add .old to the end of its name. # Finally, reopen Firefox. #* When Firefox reopens it will create a new ''places'' database. Your browsing history will be lost but Firefox will automatically import your bookmarks from the most recent backup file. ==Turn off hardware acceleration== With some graphics card and graphics driver setups, Firefox may hang when using hardware acceleration. You can try turning off hardware acceleration to see if it fixes the problem. # [[T:optionspreferences]] # Select the {menu Advanced} panel and the {menu General} tab. # Uncheck '''Use hardware acceleration when available'''. #[[T:closeFirefox]] #Start Firefox the way you normally do. If the problem is no longer happening, then hardware acceleration was likely the cause. You can try [[Upgrade your graphics drivers to use hardware acceleration and WebGL|updating your graphics drivers]] to see if that fixes it or simply run without hardware acceleration. ==Troubleshoot your plugins== Sites that use plugins such as Java, Adobe Reader, or Flash can cause Firefox to hang. For information on troubleshooting plugins and on determining whether a plugin is causing your problem, see the [[Troubleshoot issues with plugins like Flash or Java to fix common Firefox problems]] article. ==Delete duplicated Session Restore files== Firefox may be slow to respond or hang if multiple copies of its [[Restore previous session - Configure when Firefox shows your most recent tabs and windows|Session Restore]] file have been created: # [[T:profileFolder]] # [[T:closeFirefox]] # Locate and delete the {filepath sessionstore.js} file and any copies, such as {filepath sessionstore-1.js}, {filepath sessionstore-2.js}. ==Change the PAC implementation== If you're using a proxy auto-config file (PAC), Firefox may hang when you attempt to load sites that don't exist or that you haven't opened recently. To determine if you use an automatic proxy configuration file: # [[T:optionspreferences]] # Click the {menu Advanced} icon. # Click the {menu Network} tab. # Click {button Settings}. The Connection Settings dialog appears. # If '''Automatic proxy configuration URL''' is selected, you are using an automatic proxy configuration file. Do not disable this setting, which will prevent you from accessing the Internet. Instead, provide [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=235853#c216 this workaround] to your network administrator. # Click {button Cancel}. = Firefox hangs while playing Flash videos = See [[Flash Plugin - Keep it up to date and troubleshoot problems#w_playing-flash-videos-makes-firefox-hang|Playing Flash videos makes Firefox hang]]. = Firefox hangs after using it for a long time = ==Update Firefox== The latest Firefox versions includes improvements in memory usage, especially during long sessions. [[Update Firefox to the latest version|Update Firefox to the latest version]]. ==Restart Firefox== Firefox may hang if left open for long periods of time. To fix the issue, restart Firefox. If you regularly leave Firefox open so that you return to where you left off, you may want to use Firefox's Session Restore feature. For more information, see [[Restore previous session - Configure when Firefox shows your most recent tabs and windows#w_configuring-session-restore|Configuring session restore]]. = Firefox hangs while loading the first window = ==Speed up Session Restore== If you have many tabs to restore, Firefox may hang while loading those sites. Make sure that '''Don't load tabs until selected''' is checked in the [[Tab preferences and settings|Tabs panel of the {for win}Options{/for}{for mac,linux}Preferences{/for} window]] so that only the last selected tab is loaded at startup. You can also try to use [[Use Tab Groups to organize a lot of tabs|Tab Groups]] so that only websites in the visible tab group load first. = Firefox hangs when downloading files or saving images = If Firefox hangs when you attempt to download a file or save an image, try these solutions: ==Clear download history== Firefox may hang when downloading files if your download history has grown too large. To clear the download history: # {for not fx20}{for win}At the top of the Firefox window, click on the {button Firefox} button ({menu Tools} menu in Windows XP), and then click {menu Downloads}{/for}{for mac}On the menu bar, click on the {menu Tools} menu, and then click {menu Downloads}{/for}{for linux}At the top of the Firefox window, click on the {menu Tools} menu, and then click {menu Downloads}{/for}. The Downloads window will open.{/for}{for fx20}Click the Downloads button [[Image:fx20 download icon]] and then click {menu Show All Downloads}. The Library window will open.{/for} # {for not fx20}Click {button Clear List}. The download history is cleared.{/for}{for fx20}Click {button Clear Downloads} to delete the download history.{/for} # Download some sample files to see if the hanging has stopped. ==Choose a different download folder== Firefox may hang if the last download folder location (e.g. a shared volume or USB drive) is no longer available. To fix this: #[[T:optionspreferences]] # Select the {menu General} panel. # In the Downloads pane, select '''Save files to''' and click the {button Browse} button. # In the '''Browse For Folder''' window, choose a new folder location. # [[T:closeOptionsPreferences]] See if you are now able to download files or save images. If this works, you can go back to your Firefox settings, if you wish, and select {menu Always ask me where to save my files}. {for not fx31} ==Disable virus scan in Firefox preferences== With some antivirus programs, the virus scan that Firefox starts after files are downloaded may cause Firefox to hang. You can disable virus scanning with the following steps (this will not disable your antivirus program): # [[T:aboutconfig]] # Locate the {pref browser.download.manager.scanWhenDone} preference and double click it to change the value to {pref false}. {/for} = Firefox hangs when you quit it = Sometimes when you close Firefox, it may stop responding and remain in memory, even though no Firefox windows are open. This can prevent Firefox from working properly the next time you open it or you may see a "Close Firefox" dialog box with an error message, {for win,linux}''Firefox is already running, but is not responding.''{/for}{for mac}''A copy of Firefox is already open.''{/for} You must then end all Firefox processes or restart the computer before you can reopen Firefox (see [["Firefox is already running but is not responding" error message - How to fix it]] for other causes and solutions). ==Close Firefox completely== #[[T:closeFirefox]] # Close any remaining dialog boxes or secondary windows such as the Downloads window. <br> If Firefox processes that remain in memory at exit are a recurring problem, try the following solutions. ==Troubleshoot your extensions== A problematic extension can cause the problem, which can be resolved by disabling or uninstalling the extension. For information on diagnosing and fixing problems caused by faulty extensions, see the [[Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems]] article. ==Update or disable the Java plugin== Sometimes Java applets can cause the Firefox process to persist after exit. Try updating Java to the latest version by going to [https://www.mozilla.org/plugincheck/ Mozilla's plugin check page] or, if you don't need the Java plugin, you can disable it from the Plugins panel of the Firefox Add-ons Manager. For more information, see [[Use the Java plugin to view interactive content on websites]]. {for win} ==Troubleshoot your Internet security software== Interactions between certain Internet security software (firewall, anti-virus software) is reported to cause hangs on some systems. You can try to [[Configure firewalls so that Firefox can access the Internet|configure your firewall]] to see if it helps the hang go away. {/for} {for win} =Firefox hangs when Windows resumes from hibernation on Thinkpad= When resuming Windows from hibernation and Firefox hangs for several minutes it might be due to an issue of the pre-installed "ThinkVantage Technologies Power Manager 6". One option to solve this is to uninstall the software. Another option is to check for a later version of the software on the [http://support.lenovo.com/ Lenovo support webiste] and see if that fixes the problem. {/for} <!-- MZ credit --> <br/> <br/> '''''Based on information from [http://kb.mozillazine.org/Firefox_hangs Firefox hangs (mozillaZine KB)]'''''