Firefox will not open a large window, only a thumbnail
I was typing something, and somehow managed to make Firefox (which is pinned to my toolbar) not be able to open a full window. I can right-click on the icon and open a window, but it doesn't get any bigger than a thumbnail. I can't figure out what I've done and it's extremely inconvenient!
Chosen solution
A little thumbmail above the Taskbar that you can't move or resize?
Sometimes the main Firefox window gets "off screen" somehow. You often can force it to appear on the screen by right-clicking the thumbnail image floating above the Taskbar and choosing Maximize. Does that work?
One possible cause for this is when the file which stores window sizes and positions has become corrupted. You can remove that file and Firefox will return to standard window sizing/positioning.
Method #1: If you can get a maximized window:
Open your current Firefox settings (AKA Firefox profile) folder using either
- "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Troubleshooting Information
- (menu bar) Help > Troubleshooting Information
- type or paste about:support in the address bar and press Enter
In the first table on the page, click the "Open Folder" button. This should launch a new window listing various files and folders in Windows Explorer.
Leaving that window open, switch back to Firefox and Exit, either:
- "3-bar" menu button > "power" button
- (menu bar) File > Exit
Pause while Firefox finishes its cleanup, then rename xulstore.json to something like xulstore-old.json just in case you need it later. If you see a file named localstore.rdf, it's obsolete and you can delete it so Firefox doesn't convert it at your next startup.
Start Firefox back up again. Do windows display normally again?
Method #2: If you cannot get a Firefox window at all:
Shut down Firefox by right-clicking the taskbar icon > Close Window or Close All Windows.
Using the Run dialog (windows key + R) or the Windows search box, type or paste the following and press Enter to drill down to the Profiles folder:
%APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles
Here you may see one folder -- in which case, double-click into that -- or more than one folder -- in which case, double-click into what looks like the most recently updated.
Scroll down and rename xulstore.json to something like xulstore-old.json just in case you need it later. If you see a file named localstore.rdf, it's obsolete and you can delete it so Firefox doesn't convert it at your next startup.
Start Firefox back up again. Do windows display normally again?
Then, to turn different bars back on, you can use one of these methods to show the toolbar list and select the desired bars there:
- right-click a blank spot on the tab bar (or the "+" button)
- tap the Alt key to activate the classic menu bar > View > Toolbars
- in Customize mode > Show/Hide Toolbars (see: Customize Firefox controls, buttons and toolbars)
To turn on the Menu Bar, Bookmarks Toolbar, or other bars, click it on the list.
Read this answer in context 👍 0All Replies (1)
Chosen Solution
A little thumbmail above the Taskbar that you can't move or resize?
Sometimes the main Firefox window gets "off screen" somehow. You often can force it to appear on the screen by right-clicking the thumbnail image floating above the Taskbar and choosing Maximize. Does that work?
One possible cause for this is when the file which stores window sizes and positions has become corrupted. You can remove that file and Firefox will return to standard window sizing/positioning.
Method #1: If you can get a maximized window:
Open your current Firefox settings (AKA Firefox profile) folder using either
- "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Troubleshooting Information
- (menu bar) Help > Troubleshooting Information
- type or paste about:support in the address bar and press Enter
In the first table on the page, click the "Open Folder" button. This should launch a new window listing various files and folders in Windows Explorer.
Leaving that window open, switch back to Firefox and Exit, either:
- "3-bar" menu button > "power" button
- (menu bar) File > Exit
Pause while Firefox finishes its cleanup, then rename xulstore.json to something like xulstore-old.json just in case you need it later. If you see a file named localstore.rdf, it's obsolete and you can delete it so Firefox doesn't convert it at your next startup.
Start Firefox back up again. Do windows display normally again?
Method #2: If you cannot get a Firefox window at all:
Shut down Firefox by right-clicking the taskbar icon > Close Window or Close All Windows.
Using the Run dialog (windows key + R) or the Windows search box, type or paste the following and press Enter to drill down to the Profiles folder:
%APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles
Here you may see one folder -- in which case, double-click into that -- or more than one folder -- in which case, double-click into what looks like the most recently updated.
Scroll down and rename xulstore.json to something like xulstore-old.json just in case you need it later. If you see a file named localstore.rdf, it's obsolete and you can delete it so Firefox doesn't convert it at your next startup.
Start Firefox back up again. Do windows display normally again?
Then, to turn different bars back on, you can use one of these methods to show the toolbar list and select the desired bars there:
- right-click a blank spot on the tab bar (or the "+" button)
- tap the Alt key to activate the classic menu bar > View > Toolbars
- in Customize mode > Show/Hide Toolbars (see: Customize Firefox controls, buttons and toolbars)
To turn on the Menu Bar, Bookmarks Toolbar, or other bars, click it on the list.