Firefox 31 hangs on startup with no error messages
Simply put, Firefox hangs right on startup. I see it loading the two generic tabs and then the wheel spins and then it says 'Not Responding' on the top of the window. I have to force close it each and every time, and I've also tried the following solutions in no particular order to alleviate the issue:
1) Ran SuperAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes last night for any possible infections. Reported back with nothing.
2) Booted my laptop up in Safe Mode (with networking) and still couldn't get it to operate.
3) Performed several clean uninstalls and re-installations which also included clearing out the profiles altogether and then trying to open it again, nothing.
4) Booted up Firefox by holding down the shift key and resetted it to its default settings and then tried firing it up again. Nothing.
5) Attempted booting up FF in Safe Mode with the shift key, nothing.
6) Created a new profile and tried booting FF, nothing.
7) Read this article http://kb.mozillazine.org/Firefox_hangs#Hyper-Threading about Hyper-Threading and followed the instructions which got it to operate, but I can't access the toolbar or the option menus. When I click on options Firefox closes with no error messages. I have a feeling this isn't the issue at hand but I figure I'd try it and at least I can get it to fully load and not hang.
8) Deleted all Firefox extensions and Plug-ins, nothing.
9) Enabled Firefox through firewall and antivirus settings, nothing.
10) Updated my BIOS firmware as suggested in #7, nothing.
I've done almost 10 different things and I still can't figure out why Firefox keeps hanging on startup. I've looked into Youtube videos for tutorials and others posted about the Java crashing that was happening in an earlier version of FF. Since its not crashing, I'm unable to look into the crash logs and pinpoint a crash number or anything because it just freezes and when I click to close it I get a message saying: 'Close program' or 'Wait for it to respond.'
I'm running a 64 bit Windows 7 on an HP Pavilion g6-1c44wm Notebook PC
Microprocessor 2.10 GHz Intel Pentium Processor B950 Microprocessor Cache 2MB L3 Cache Memory 4GB DDR3 SDRAM (1 DIMM) Memory Max Maximum supported = 8GB Video Graphics Intel HD Graphics Video Memory Up to 1696MB Hard Drive 500GB 5400RPM)
I'm trying to be specific as possible! Please help! I'm at the end of my rope here!
Josefu द्वारा सम्पादित
All Replies (20)
Hello Josefu, sorry for your issue, you almost done everything, any luck if you Update to latest generic graphics drivers ?
thank you
Thanks for replying. I took your advice and updated my graphics drivers, but still have the same issue with it hanging.
Try to completely uninstall firefox, that means to delete the Installation directory located for your 64bit in C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\ , also, delete the C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Mozilla\Firefox and if exist, delete the C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox.
then download and install again a new full installer from : https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all/
disable firewall and antivirus and antispyware for a little bit, and run firefox. any luck ?
thank you
No luck here, unfortunately. I appreciate your ideas and feedback!
Josefu द्वारा सम्पादित
I don't know what else to do! Have I done something incorrectly?
I think the problem has to do with hyper-threading. I just right click the Firefox icon click>properties>compatibility>put check mark in compatibility mode box and run in Windows 98 / ME mode.
When I do that it opens quickly and doesn't hang, but none of the buttons are operable. If I click on something it will just close itself out and no message will pop up. The top right buttons black out also.
If I click it to run in any other mode than 98, it will hang and not start up. I updated all my drivers and graphics card as this laptop can handle (including the BIOS) and I don't know what else to do!
Hi, try to completely uninstall firefox, as mentioned above, and then install firefox under Windows Safe Mode (with networking), you known how, leave the properties>compatibility> UNchecked.
thanks again
Finally making some progress! It opens and operates normally as it should. What does this mean now?
I'm afraid that if I reboot my pc normally I'll be back at square one.
Hi Josefu, do you have any positive update for the issue ? (today 31 Aug 2014)
Hey! I followed your directions and did everything as told. It opens but then it behaves the same way as when I put it in compatibility mode (although this time I left the check box unticked)
Meaning, the boxes are blacked out in the top right and none of the menu functions work. If I click on something such as settings it just closes itself out.
does the same hang at startup happen when you're using a portable version of the browser? http://portableapps.com/apps/internet/firefox_portable
Nope! It works normally as it should. Does this clue into pinpointing the reason why the standard version of FF is not operating normally?
Can you start Firefox with the about:blank page or one of the other built-in about: pages?
Try to start Firefox with the about:blank page by creating a copy of the current Firefox desktop shortcut and add a space and -url "about:blank" to the command line.
Is there anything in the browser console or the web console that indicates what happens if you are able to start an about: page?
Nothing I type in the command line works as I can't even use the navigation buttons or the search boxes.
I'm kinda unclear as to how to perform what you're asking of me.
You can right click the Firefox desktop shortcut and copy this shortcut to the clipboard. Then you can paste it to the desktop to create a copy. You can modify the target line in that desktop shortcut and add the above posted code ( -url "about:blank") to it. Leave a space after the Firefox path. You can also try to add -P to the command line to start the Profile Manager and see if you can start in Offline mode with the current profile (the PM window has a "Work offline" check box to start in offline mode).
normally i'd suspect that some third-party module is hooking into firefox, but because of all the steps you've tried (incl. windows safemode) this may be not be that likely anymore.
maybe you can try to clear the prefetch files in C:\Windows\Prefetch relating to firefox.
another thing to test would be to rename the application in the installation directory to something like firefox1.exe and see if the delays are occurring with that as well....
I created the copy of the shortcut. Now, how do I modify the target line in that shortcut? Where do I add the code?
I renamed the application in the installation directory and it still yielded the same results.
Lol ok I did it. I went into properties and did as you said. It does load and it yields a blank page. I can type into the search bar and it will respond. The buttons are responsive too.
What are the Firefox connection settings?
- Tools > Options > Advanced > Network : Connection > Settings
- https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Options+window+-+Advanced+panel