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I have to reinstall Firefox almost daily. Otherwise, it just doesn't do anything. Any suggestions for a fix.

  • 3 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 112 views
  • Last reply by mittenwald

At least once a day, I find the Firefox is not opening. This happens after I have closed another web site. I will click on a shortcut and nothing happens. The only thing that works is to reinstall Firefox. Can you give me some idea why this is happening and what I can do to prevent it. I am using Firefox 19.0 running on Windows 7 Home Premium Service Pack 1 with flash player and Java enabled.

At least once a day, I find the Firefox is not opening. This happens after I have closed another web site. I will click on a shortcut and nothing happens. The only thing that works is to reinstall Firefox. Can you give me some idea why this is happening and what I can do to prevent it. I am using Firefox 19.0 running on Windows 7 Home Premium Service Pack 1 with flash player and Java enabled.

Chosen solution

Do a clean reinstall and delete the Firefox program folder before reinstalling a fresh copy of Firefox.

Download a fresh Firefox copy and save the file to the desktop.

Uninstall your current Firefox version, if possible, to cleanup the Windows registry and settings in security software.

  • Do NOT remove personal data when you uninstall your current Firefox version, because all profile folders will be removed and you will also lose your personal data like bookmarks and passwords from profiles of other Firefox versions.

Remove the Firefox program folder before installing that newly downloaded copy of the Firefox installer.

Your bookmarks and other profile data are stored in the Firefox Profile Folder and won't be affected by an uninstall and (re)install, but make sure that "remove personal data" is NOT selected when you uninstall Firefox.

If you keep having problems then also create a new profile.


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All Replies (3)

The Reset Firefox feature can fix many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information. Note: This will cause you to lose any Extensions, Open websites, and some Preferences.

To Reset Firefox do the following:

  1. Go to Firefox > Help > Troubleshooting Information.
  2. Click the "Reset Firefox" button.
  3. Firefox will close and reset. After Firefox is done, it will show a window with the information that is imported. Click Finish.
  4. Firefox will open with all factory defaults applied.


Further information can be found in the Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings article.

Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!

Chosen Solution

Do a clean reinstall and delete the Firefox program folder before reinstalling a fresh copy of Firefox.

Download a fresh Firefox copy and save the file to the desktop.

Uninstall your current Firefox version, if possible, to cleanup the Windows registry and settings in security software.

  • Do NOT remove personal data when you uninstall your current Firefox version, because all profile folders will be removed and you will also lose your personal data like bookmarks and passwords from profiles of other Firefox versions.

Remove the Firefox program folder before installing that newly downloaded copy of the Firefox installer.

Your bookmarks and other profile data are stored in the Firefox Profile Folder and won't be affected by an uninstall and (re)install, but make sure that "remove personal data" is NOT selected when you uninstall Firefox.

If you keep having problems then also create a new profile.


Uninstalling and downloading and installing a new browser seems to have solved the problem so far. I've only been online a few hours, but, as yet, the problem has not happened again. Thanks so much for the help