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Firefox on OSX won't shut down after update

  • 8 replies
  • 3 have this problem
  • 21 views
  • Last reply by John99

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Whenever Firefox updates on my Mac, Firefox won't shut down, and (as a result) I can't shut down my Mac. A 'Force Quit" doesn't do anything. My only option is to hold the power button down on my Mac for 10 seconds to 'force' a hard shutdown.

After reboot, Firefox works normally (closing Firefox works correctly).

Whenever Firefox updates on my Mac, Firefox won't shut down, and (as a result) I can't shut down my Mac. A 'Force Quit" doesn't do anything. My only option is to hold the power button down on my Mac for 10 seconds to 'force' a hard shutdown. After reboot, Firefox works normally (closing Firefox works correctly).

All Replies (8)

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Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web Link} by holding down the <Shift>
(Mac=Options)
key, and then starting Firefox. Is the problem still there?


Start your Computer in safe mode with networking. Then start Firefox. Try Safe web sites. Is the problem still there?

Starting The Computer In Safe Mode;
Free Online Encyclopedia

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Thanks for forwarding this - I did see it. However, it won't help.

When I update FIrefox, it's usually because Firefox is running and I am prompted to do an update. After the update, Firefox (which was already up) 'hangs' (it didn't shut down completely). I can't restart it without rebooting the machine. Once I reboot, it works fine - so starting it in Safe Mode isn't an option unless I reboot the machine, at which time everything is fine.

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Let's try a full reinstall, Download Firefox For All languages And Systems {web link} Save the file. Then;

Using your file browser, open the Programs Folder on your computer.

Windows: C:\Program Files C:\Program Files (x86) Mac: Open the "Applications" folder. Linux: Check your user manual.


Look for, and rename any Mozilla or Firefox program folders by adding .old to them.

After rebooting the computer, run a registry scanner. Then run the installer. If all goes well, remove the OLD folders when you are done.

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OK - I have downloaded and installed the latest full version of Firefox. Now all I can do is wait until the next update to see if this works.

I'll keep you posted. Thanks.

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Good luck.

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Your shutdown issue might be related to this bug:

Bug 1258515 - After Firefox update, Macbook won't shutdown

Please see Bugzilla Etiquette before commenting in bug reports.

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You may be right - thanks for the post.

It turns out that I can recreate the problem.

I normally run Firefox in Private Browsing mode, but needed to switch to a normal window for one website. Since I couldn't figure out how to start up a non-private window, I reset the preferences (which forced a Firefox restart), and i ended up with 2 instances of Firefox on my dock - my 'normal' one and a 2nd temporary one.

After I was done, Firefox would not shut down. After holding the power button on my MBP to force a shutdown, the restart came up with only one Firefox icon on the dock (as expected), and I was able to proceed.

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Thanks, That's interesting Rick. I have copied the info directly into the Bug comments.