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Can't open in safe mode / clear cache because firefox is frozen

  • 3 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 10 views
  • Last reply by FredMcD

hopplepopple
hopplepopple

I tried to load a page that seems to have had a buggy embedded video ad, and now Firefox is stuck. It stops responding, but when I force quit and reopen, it opens the offending page again too, and it freezes again. I've tried restarting my computer, and reinstalling Firefox, and the problem keeps happening. I can't follow the advice I've seen here about opening in Safe MOde or clearing my cache, because Firefox freezes before I can do that. I there a way to do these from outside Firefox? I'm using Mac OS X 10.6.8 if that matters.

Thanks!

I tried to load a page that seems to have had a buggy embedded video ad, and now Firefox is stuck. It stops responding, but when I force quit and reopen, it opens the offending page again too, and it freezes again. I've tried restarting my computer, and reinstalling Firefox, and the problem keeps happening. I can't follow the advice I've seen here about opening in Safe MOde or clearing my cache, because Firefox freezes before I can do that. I there a way to do these from outside Firefox? I'm using Mac OS X 10.6.8 if that matters. Thanks!

Chosen solution

Hello,

Try Firefox Safe Mode to see if the problem goes away. Firefox Safe Mode is a troubleshooting mode that temporarily turns off hardware acceleration, resets some settings, and disables add-ons (extensions and themes).

If Firefox is open, you can restart in Firefox Safe Mode from the Help menu:

  • Click the menu button New Fx Menu, click Help Help-29 and select Restart with Add-ons Disabled.

If Firefox is not running, you can start Firefox in Safe Mode as follows:

  • On Windows: Hold the Shift key when you open the Firefox desktop or Start menu shortcut.
  • On Mac: Hold the option key while starting Firefox.
  • On Linux: Quit Firefox, go to your Terminal and run firefox -safe-mode
    (you may need to specify the Firefox installation path e.g. /usr/lib/firefox)

When the Firefox Safe Mode window appears, select "Start in Safe Mode".

SafeMode-Fx35

If the issue is not present in Firefox Safe Mode, your problem is probably caused by an extension, theme, or hardware acceleration. Please follow the steps in the Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems article to find the cause.

To exit 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 others with the same problem.

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All Replies (3)

kushagra
kushagra

Chosen Solution

Hello,

Try Firefox Safe Mode to see if the problem goes away. Firefox Safe Mode is a troubleshooting mode that temporarily turns off hardware acceleration, resets some settings, and disables add-ons (extensions and themes).

If Firefox is open, you can restart in Firefox Safe Mode from the Help menu:

  • Click the menu button New Fx Menu, click Help Help-29 and select Restart with Add-ons Disabled.

If Firefox is not running, you can start Firefox in Safe Mode as follows:

  • On Windows: Hold the Shift key when you open the Firefox desktop or Start menu shortcut.
  • On Mac: Hold the option key while starting Firefox.
  • On Linux: Quit Firefox, go to your Terminal and run firefox -safe-mode
    (you may need to specify the Firefox installation path e.g. /usr/lib/firefox)

When the Firefox Safe Mode window appears, select "Start in Safe Mode".

SafeMode-Fx35

If the issue is not present in Firefox Safe Mode, your problem is probably caused by an extension, theme, or hardware acceleration. Please follow the steps in the Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems article to find the cause.

To exit 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 others with the same problem.

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator

You can check for problems with the sessionstore.js file in the Firefox profile folder that store session data.

Deleting sessionstore.js will cause App Tabs and Tab Groups and open and closed (undo) tabs to get lost and you will have to recreate them (make a note or bookmark them if possible).

You can set the browser.sessionstore.max_resumed_crashes pref to 0 on the about:config page to get the about:sessionrestore page immediately with the first start after a crash has occurred or Firefox was closed otherwise (activity/process monitor).

FredMcD
FredMcD

Try these out

Adblock Plus {web link} Blocks annoying video ads on YouTube, Facebook ads, banners and much more. Adblock Plus blocks all annoying ads, and supports websites by not blocking unobtrusive ads by default (configurable).

Flash block {web link} Never be annoyed by a Flash animation again! Blocks Flash so it won't get in your way, but if you want to see it, just click on it