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Firefox 21 is not releasing the audio device when focus is lost, even when all tabs using audio are closed. Chrome doesn't have this problem.

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Once Firefox 21 has gotten hold of the audio device, the only way for other apps to get access is to close Firefox. It used to be that the audio device would be released when Firefox lost focus, which is the proper behavior. Even after closing all the tabs in Firefox that would have used the audio device, it still will not release it on lost focus. I've been using Firefox from the beginning but may have to switch to Chrome, which behaves correctly, if this isn't resolved soon.

Once Firefox 21 has gotten hold of the audio device, the only way for other apps to get access is to close Firefox. It used to be that the audio device would be released when Firefox lost focus, which is the proper behavior. Even after closing all the tabs in Firefox that would have used the audio device, it still will not release it on lost focus. I've been using Firefox from the beginning but may have to switch to Chrome, which behaves correctly, if this isn't resolved soon.

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Hello,

Try Firefox Safe Mode to see if the problem goes away. Safe Mode is a troubleshooting mode, which disables most add-ons.

(If you're not using it, switch to the Default theme.)

  • You can open Firefox 4.0+ in Safe Mode by holding the Shift key when you open the Firefox desktop or Start menu shortcut.
  • Or open the Help menu and click on the Restart with Add-ons Disabled... menu item while Firefox is running.

Once you get the pop-up, just select "'Start in Safe Mode"

If the issue is not present in Firefox Safe Mode, your problem is probably caused by an extension, and you need to figure out which one. Please follow the Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems article for that.

To exit the 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 other users who have the same problem.

Thank you.

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Did you try to wait a wile (e.g. one minute) to see if that made Firefox release the audio device?