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Downloads quit after starting

  • 4 replies
  • 11 have this problem
  • 26 views
  • Last reply by plovell

plovell
plovell

Starting the last couple of days, if I try to download a file such as software from the net, the download starts and stops a couple of seconds later. Same with streaming video from software sites. The download never completes.

But if (in the download window) I pause and then start again, some more will download, and then it will stop again. If I do this enough times, the download eventually will complete. I reinstalled Firefox twice, after deleting it, but nothing changes. In general, Firefox has become REALLY slow since the last update -- I probably will not use it anymore unless I can get it fixed.

I had my connection checked out by my isp, and it is solid, so it is not my internet provider. Also I installed Opera, and the downloads work as they should, and it seems a lot faster than Firefox 8. So the problem seems to be with Firefox. Is this a common problem recently? Is there a fix?

Starting the last couple of days, if I try to download a file such as software from the net, the download starts and stops a couple of seconds later. Same with streaming video from software sites. The download never completes. But if (in the download window) I pause and then start again, some more will download, and then it will stop again. If I do this enough times, the download eventually will complete. I reinstalled Firefox twice, after deleting it, but nothing changes. In general, Firefox has become REALLY slow since the last update -- I probably will not use it anymore unless I can get it fixed. I had my connection checked out by my isp, and it is solid, so it is not my internet provider. Also I installed Opera, and the downloads work as they should, and it seems a lot faster than Firefox 8. So the problem seems to be with Firefox. Is this a common problem recently? Is there a fix?

Chosen solution

Thanks! I found the problem at last. It is McAfee antivirus! Even though I had Firewall set to let Firefox through, the Netguard feature started to block downloads (presumably with the new Firefox upgrade). Once I turned Netguard off, but kept the Firewall set to "on", everything returned to normal. :)

Thanks for the help. It was the first answer by Co-rel that set me to thinking about, and checking up on, the Firewall in McAfee.

Read this answer in context 👍 2

All Replies (4)

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator

It is possible that your anti-virus software is corrupting the downloaded files or otherwise interfering with downloading files by Firefox.
Try to disable the real-time (live) scanning of files in your anti-virus software temporarily to see if that makes downloading work.

See "Disable virus scanning in Firefox preferences - Windows"

plovell
plovell Question owner

Thanks for the suggestion, but it didn't work. The problem seems to be within Firefox itself (but also Explorer too) because when I use a freshly installed copy of Opera the downloads are normal and really fast. (I deleted and reinstalled Firefox, but that did not help). I also made sure my firewall lets Firefox through. 

    I can force Firefox to download a complete file by clicking on "pause" and then on "play" in the download window. Each time I do that, more of the file downloads. It's a real pain for watching instructional videos though.
the-edmeister
the-edmeister

Try the Firefox SafeMode to see how it works there.
A troubleshooting mode, which disables most Add-ons.
(If you're not using it, switch to the Default Theme.)

  • You can open the Firefox 4.0+ SafeMode by holding the Shft key when you use the Firefox desktop or Start menu shortcut.
  • Or use the Help menu item, click on Restart with Add-ons Disabled... while Firefox is running.

Don't select anything right now, just use "Continue in SafeMode."

To exit the Firefox Safe Mode, just close Firefox and wait a few seconds before using the Firefox shortcut (without the Shft key) to open it again.

If it is good in the Firefox SafeMode, your problem is probably caused by an extension, and you need to figure out which one.
http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/troubleshooting+extensions+and+themes

When you figure out what is causing that, please let us know. It might help other user's who have that problem.

plovell
plovell Question owner

Chosen Solution

Thanks! I found the problem at last. It is McAfee antivirus! Even though I had Firewall set to let Firefox through, the Netguard feature started to block downloads (presumably with the new Firefox upgrade). Once I turned Netguard off, but kept the Firewall set to "on", everything returned to normal. :)

Thanks for the help. It was the first answer by Co-rel that set me to thinking about, and checking up on, the Firewall in McAfee.