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refox will not download on my computer and Ideleted the version I had (so I can't do a reset.) All I get is a white screen and an error message saying something

thissucks2
thissucks2
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I was clearing my browser history and when I got to Time Range I entered everything. When I tried to return to Firefox all I got was a white page and an hourglass. I deleted the program so I could reload a new version. When I try to do that I get that same white page and an error message that says "plugin container.exe has encountered an error and needs to close." That's it. No matter what I do I cannot download a new Mozilla.

I was clearing my browser history and when I got to Time Range I entered everything. When I tried to return to Firefox all I got was a white page and an hourglass. I deleted the program so I could reload a new version. When I try to do that I get that same white page and an error message that says "plugin container.exe has encountered an error and needs to close." That's it. No matter what I do I cannot download a new Mozilla.

Chosen solution

Clearing a huge history could freeze up the browser for a minute or three. If Firefox closed abnormally while it was cleaning up the database that stores history (and bookmarks), it might have become corrupted. Hopefully that won't be a problem for you.

First, you can download a full installer from the following page (scroll down to your language):

https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/

You should be able to do that in any browser, so if Firefox is not working correctly, try using IE.

Then you can run the installer to update Firefox.

Second, after a crash, Firefox will try to restore your previous session windows and tabs. This could be where a plugin is not starting up correctly and generating the error about plugin-container.exe. If you are willing to lose your last open windows and tabs, you can start Firefox up to a blank page. Here's how:

Type or paste the following in the Start menu search box and press Enter to run it: 

firefox.exe "about:blank"

Does that work? If Firefox is stable, you could try recovering previous session windows and tabs using either:

  • menu > History > Restore Previous Session
  • type or paste about:sessionrestore in the address bar and press Enter

Any improvement so far?

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jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Chosen Solution

Clearing a huge history could freeze up the browser for a minute or three. If Firefox closed abnormally while it was cleaning up the database that stores history (and bookmarks), it might have become corrupted. Hopefully that won't be a problem for you.

First, you can download a full installer from the following page (scroll down to your language):

https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/

You should be able to do that in any browser, so if Firefox is not working correctly, try using IE.

Then you can run the installer to update Firefox.

Second, after a crash, Firefox will try to restore your previous session windows and tabs. This could be where a plugin is not starting up correctly and generating the error about plugin-container.exe. If you are willing to lose your last open windows and tabs, you can start Firefox up to a blank page. Here's how:

Type or paste the following in the Start menu search box and press Enter to run it: 

firefox.exe "about:blank"

Does that work? If Firefox is stable, you could try recovering previous session windows and tabs using either:

  • menu > History > Restore Previous Session
  • type or paste about:sessionrestore in the address bar and press Enter

Any improvement so far?