Firefox not responding/hanging on startup, unable to fully uninstall or reinstall
When I launch Firefox, if I press anything or wait for a bit, the program stops responding and I have to force close it. Firefox was working just fine until recently. I have not updated Windows or made changes to Firefox prior to these issues occurring either.
I have tried following this thread: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-keeps-crashing-startup#w_try-a-clean-install_2
I am not able to start in Troubleshoot mode as I cannot interact with Firefox in any way.
I also have trouble with doing a clean install. When I run the uninstaller, it eventually gets stuck and I have to force close the uninstaller. After closing the uninstaller, I deleted the Mozilla folder under C:\Program Files and the Firefox folder under the %appdata% directory.
I then tried both the stub installer for Firefox and the full installer located here: https://www.mozilla.org/en-CA/firefox/all/#product-desktop-release
Both installers get stuck. I have attached an image of where the full installer gets stuck. After force closing the installers, I am still able to open Firefox, but it has the same issue of not responding.
I have also tried creating a new profile with the profile manager, but the issue persists.
If anyone has any ideas or knows of a solution, please let me know.
Thanks.
All Replies (3)
Please follow the instructions below. Let’s do a full clean re-install;
Note: Firefox comes in three or more folders on all computers. They are;
Maintenance: (Programs Folder) <Windows Only> Firefox itself: (Programs Folder) And two folders in the profile of each user on the computer for each Firefox profile for that user.
If you remove the Firefox folder, the user profiles would not be affected.
Download Firefox For All languages And Systems {web link}
Firefox ESR; Extended Support Release {web link}
Beta, Developer, Nightly versions https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/channel/desktop/
Install Older Version Of Firefox {web link}
Save the file. Then Close Firefox.
Using your file browser, open the Programs Folder on your computer.
Windows: C:\Program Files C:\Program Files (x86) Note: Check Both Folders
Mac: Open the "Applications" folder. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-download-and-install-firefox-mac
Linux: Check your user manual. If you installed Firefox with the distro-based package manager, you should use the same way to uninstall it. See Install Firefox on Linux; https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/install-firefox-linux
If you downloaded and installed the binary package from the Firefox download page, simply remove the folder Firefox in your home directory. http://www.mozilla.org/firefox#desktop ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Look for, and remove any Mozilla or Firefox program folders. Do not remove the Mozilla Thunderbird folder if there is one.
Do Not remove any profile folders.
After rebooting the computer, run a registry scanner if you have one. Then run the installer. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ If there is a problem, start your Computer in safe mode and try again.
How to Start all Computers in Safe Mode; {web link} Free Online Encyclopedia
Thank you for your help.
The problem ended resolving itself today after I came home. Not sure why, as I tried restarting before, but it works. I'll follow your instructions if it ends up breaking again.
Good luck.