Why hasn'tMozilla seriously addressed the Firefox resource hogging issue instead of making Firefox a crazy patched together mess
No matter what I do to mitigate it, Firefox invariably starts using over 90% of the CPU time. And installing updated versions of Firefox has not helped stop the issue. Not once.
Why is there not a way for the user to locate and stop the ONE process that is causing the problem instead of having to stop Firefox in taskmanager and restart - usually 10 - 15 times per day and sometimes even several times in 1 hour! OR - since you who write it have control over what it does, have it automatically alert the user about any process that is seeking to be a resource hog. Or even monitor and prevent it automatically.
I have tried virtually every suggestion proffered on the support forum to stop the resource hogging and slowness of Firefox but NOTHING has helped. A few times I was fooled into thinking the problem was solved but very soon [from minutes to hours]......yeah -- Same stuff again. This has been an ongoing issue and judging by the tens of thousands of other people having the same problems it is one that has needed serious attention for a long time.
It is getting way beyond ridiculous. There are no virus's, adware, bloatware, malware of any kind to be found on my computer - nothing has been found by a dozen different programs -- just the resource hog that Firefox has become.
You have patched it so many times that you have actually degraded it's performance so far that explorer [iexplore] now runs over twice as fast as Firefox on my computer. When I first started using Firefox, there were many snide jokes about the patched together mess called explorer [iexplore] but guess what guys, you have managed to outdo Microsoft. I switched to Firefox because of how cumbersome explorer [iexplore] had become and I hate the idea of going back to it but having to restart your browser over and over and over again is a massive waste of time and makes it even MORE cumbersome to use than explorer.
I need a real solution to this issue because if this continues, even though I have no love for explorer or chrome, I might be forced to use them. I would prefer to continue using Firefox, but at this rate, I am starting to wonder about that stance.
Here is the kicker though -- if I browse in 'Private' mode, the resource hogging doesn't seem to happen. The only problem is that I enjoy having a history file to refind something but Private mode doesn't save history, which is very unhelpful. Maybe add an option to save your history in private mode. Private is supposed to mean private from others - not yourself.
Frankly, I'm not even sure why I should bother to mention to you at all. The fact that you have not resolved an issue that has been brought to your attention tens of thousands of times over the last several years, shows that either you are unable to fix it OR that you simply don't care [regardless of any 'mission' statement]. Neither possibility is desirable.
All Replies (7)
The answer to the top is to contact Firefox Support instead of getting frustrated about a issue. More than happy to help and figure out the issues with you.
You have patched it so many times that you have actually degraded it's performanceActually it is the opposite of that. Did away with all the Netscape patched code and it took 5yrs + to make this. It is still teething. Version 58 brings Multi-Thread.
https://www.howtogeek.com/332449/whats-new-in-firefox-quantum/ https://www.howtogeek.com/333230/why-firefox-had-to-kill-your-favorite-extension/
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/extensions/
Going to get you to do this to purge those old folders of Netscape Code. uninstall Firefox. Then Delete the Mozilla Firefox Folders in C:\Program Files and C:\Program Files(x86) Then restart system. Note: your Firefox Profile is saved. But you should make a back up before you do : https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/back-and-restore-information-firefox-profiles
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/export-firefox-bookmarks-to-backup-or-transfer
Reinstall with Current Release Firefox 57.0.2 with a Full Version Installer https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/
So the 2nd is to do this please : go to the Firefox 3 Bar Menu --> Options --> Privacy & Security panel and under Permissions check (put a tick in the box) the setting to Prevent Accessibility Services from accessing your browser.
Monitor in Task Manager. Should stay below 2 gigs. If excessive then do below and monitor and change if need to...Test and go up again , go back down, it will eventually get a zone you and it can live with.
Go the 3 Bar Menu then Options --> General --> Performance and untick everything. change the recommended size lower then see how it runs. Note: 1 = No Multiprocessor = slow again. Try 2 Restart Firefox after making these changes please.
Some fyi stuff, if know great if not great : https://www.howtogeek.com/333805/how-to-change-or-customize-firefoxs-new-tab-page/ https://www.howtogeek.com/333110/how-to-customize-firefox-quantum-and-remove-the-white-space-around-the-title-bar/ https://www.howtogeek.com/334594/stop-complaining-that-your-browser-uses-lots-of-ram-its-a-good-thing/
If like this sorta thing then now you know : https://www.howtogeek.com/334716/how-to-customize-firefoxs-user-interface-with-userchrome.css/ http://techdows.com/2017/09/classic-theme-restorer-userchrome-css-modify-firefox-57-photon-ui.html https://www.accessfirefox.org/Theme-Font-Size-Changer.php https://www.userchrome.org/ https://www.accessfirefox.org/Firefox_Accessibility_Themes.php https://www.userchrome.org/what-is-userchrome-css.html http://kb.mozillazine.org/UserChrome.css https://github.com/axydavid/FirefoxUI/blob/master/README.md https://github.com/wilfredwee/photon-australis Note not all code in one place, dedicated sub-Reddit/Firefox on this
All previous answers to fix problems no longer work as is different code now. So yes it will take time to adjust, to find the answers to things. So come back and ask, there is a answer.
Please let us know if this solved your issue or if need further assistance.
You know, if it wasn't for the fact that the resource hogging doesn't take place in 'Private Mode', I might buy into some of what you say. However, since that one little thing can make such an incredible difference in browser operation, it certainly appears that the issue is in the way Firefox handles the browsing. Otherwise 'Private Mode' wouldn't make such a difference.
BTW, even though you only open the browser once, it opens two instances of Firefox in the taskmanager - when the resource hogging begins, it can be wither instance doing the hogging but usually both do it.
To try an combat this resource hogging, I have been updating Firefox by first uninstalling the old version [after backing up bookmarks, history, and even the registry on my computer]. Even though I did this time after time for every update, it hasn't helped.
I have repeatedly cleared history, temporary file caches, cookies. I do not have any addition add-ons installed. I have every app set to 'always ask' except for the 4 where the option is preset to 'Preview in Firefox' -- I just now confirmed that again by checking the 'apps' page in Firefox.
The only things checked in the Options General setting are to check if Firefox is the default browser, open a new window in a new tab, and to ask me where to save files. The others are, and have been unchecked.
I have the setting to Prevent Accessibility Services from accessing your browser. This option wasn't in the previous version, so I downloaded thelatest setup stub.
I just now uninstalled the latest Firefox [using the setup stub I downloaded from Mozilla] but when I went to look at the program to get the version number for posting heere, I could not find the folder that Firefox was installed in nor find the program itself -- what the devil is up with that?!?!? I was already taken aback that I was not given ANY installation options but to have you HIDE the program altogether - What in the world is up with that?
Why is Mozilla now HIDING where it is installing Firefox on my computer? There is no reason whatsoever for that kind of sneaky program hiding.
I don't know if this version is going to have the resource hogging problem but having the program install in a secret location --- like a VIRUS --- has already got me dicided to find a different browser.
In response to my concern: " You have patched it so many times that you have actually degraded it's performance " you posted the response: "Actually it is the opposite of that. Did away with all the Netscape patched code and it took 5yrs + to make this." It is still teething. Version 58 brings Multi-Thread.
So you are saying each version of Firefox was uniquely written and not a patch job of the previous one? If that were the case, then why did you nevere address problem people reported for YEARS, instead chosing to write the identical problem causing code iinto every subsequent version? Frankly, I think you just kept patching away and are unwilling to admit it.
I looked some more for the program and can't find it. Why? What folder was it installed in and WHY is it being hidden?
And why now are FOUR instances of Firefox showing in taskmanager? From two resource hogging instance in taskmanager you now go to four? As soon as I post this, you are being uninstalled as this virus type behavior is unacceptable. Even iexplore only shows one instance in taskmanagr when you run it.
BTW, I will pass this info on to others using Firefox -- I think a good many people might be concerned that you are taking on the attributes of a virus.
Hi, there is a lot in this thread. I will focus this reply on just one point: why Private Windows might not encounter the same performance problems as regular windows.
Private windows use tracking protection by default. Some of that blocked third-party content may be causing the problem. More info on this feature: What happened to Tracking Protection?.
You could try using tracking protection in regular mode to test whether this is the explanation. If that works, you would be able to keep your history.
Also, if that works, you could consider using a tracking blocker extension instead. Either Disconnect, Ghostery, or Privacy Badger would offer a more fine-tuned experience since specific sites can be unblocked when needed using their toolbar button (the built-in feature is more all or nothing).
Can you post your Troubleshooting information as listed on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page?
StopAdobeFlash1 said
I just now uninstalled the latest Firefox [using the setup stub I downloaded from Mozilla] but when I went to look at the program to get the version number for posting heere, I could not find the folder that Firefox was installed in nor find the program itself -- what the devil is up with that?!?!?
Do you have a shortcut for Firefox on your desktop or Taskbar? That will point you directly to the location of the program, which usually is not difficult to find, but does vary between 32-bit and 64-bit installations.
Right-click your desktop shortcut, click Properties. Firefox should display the Shortcut tab. The Target field shows you precisely the location of firefox.exe.
For a pinned Taskbar icon, right-click the icon, right-click Mozilla Firefox, then click Properties. Etc.
Right-clicking the shortcut brought up the folder information of: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\" but did NOT show the program. In fact, the ONLY thing in the folder was the setup stub. And yes, I did verify the folder options are set to show hidden files. The exe file was no-where to be found.
And yet clicking the shortcut brought up Firefox. It is hidden -- I should saw WAS hidden as I have uninstalled it - I am now using explorer for the time being.
As far as the difference in Private Mode - I ran tracking protection all the time in regular more anyway, and still had the resource hogging, so that is not what made Private Mode run better. Since you have the information on the differences between Private Mode and Regular Mode, maybe a comparison will show you what causes the insane usage of resources - often even when there is only one single tab open.
I tried modifying the performance settings in this latest version of Firefox, choosing 1 but there continued to be 4 instances of Firefox running in taskmanager even after restarting, and then a 5th one would pop up - and I had to kill the 5th one twice in taskmanager for it to go away.
Honestly, in the new version it seems that more effort was put into changing appearance and features than working on the functionality aspects. You could have kept the same look and features but resolved the resource issues and had a whole lot of happy users.
Software designer after software designer does the same thing -- instead of keeping the things people like and resolving the problems, you change up everything instead of addressing the problems. And then you get a whole new set of pain-in-the-neck problems. Which never get resolved either because then people are asked to upgrade to the next 'new and improved' version.
Why........for once....., just once...... --- maybe even for the very first time EVER in history, doesn't one of you actually resolve the issues in a piece of software instead?!? Your users would certainly be happier AND better off.
The main reason I am going on about this is that I really liked Firefox - especially at the beginning - when it ran circles around explorer and anything else I found. Now, explorer runs circles around Firefox, and that is a really lousy situation.
It is troubling that instead of resolving problems you think the solution is to change the whole thing at one shot. Has this ever worked for any software designer anywhere, ever?
The problems seem to have started back when you first went to that plug-in-container jazz. That was the point that Firefox started to go steadily downhill. And this last version? Thanks, but no - it was bad enough to have 2 instances of Firefox consuming CPU time - as seen in taskmanager. Now, four or more instances? Really? That is an improvement? Poll your users and you will see what people think about that little chestnut.
I may try it again from time to time but for the time being I have to try something else.
Goodbye, and good luck.
Modified by 1of8billion
StopAdobeFlash1 said
Right-clicking the shortcut brought up the folder information of: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\" but did NOT show the program. In fact, the ONLY thing in the folder was the setup stub. And yes, I did verify the folder options are set to show hidden files. The exe file was no-where to be found. And yet clicking the shortcut brought up Firefox.
That doesn't make sense. Why would a setup file you downloaded end up in a program files folder? Firefox doesn't set its program files to hidden and even if files in the folder were set to hidden, you already set Windows Explorer to show hidden files. Is your system infected with a rootkit??