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On one particular Web site, I frequently get the same script error: A script on this page may be busy, or it may have stopped &c."

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  • Last reply by cor-el

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On one Web site in particular (StudyBlue.com), which I need to visit several times daily, I receive the well known error message "A script on this page may be busy, or it may have stopped responding. You can stop the script now, or you can continue to see if the script will complete." Sometimes waiting will resolve the problem, but at times the script doesn't finish, even if I leave the tab and give it several minutes.

When I open the relevant pages in IE or Chrome, the scripts rarely finish and there is no helpful dialogue box advising of a script problem. Does this problem lie with the script itself? Should the Web master be using a different script or no script at all?

I should like to note that FF is the most stable and versatile browser I have used and I have tried the major "brands" : Chrome (32 and 64 bit), IE (32 and 64 bit desktop, Windows 8.1 IE) and even Safari.

On one Web site in particular (StudyBlue.com), which I need to visit several times daily, I receive the well known error message "A script on this page may be busy, or it may have stopped responding. You can stop the script now, or you can continue to see if the script will complete." Sometimes waiting will resolve the problem, but at times the script doesn't finish, even if I leave the tab and give it several minutes. When I open the relevant pages in IE or Chrome, the scripts rarely finish and there is no helpful dialogue box advising of a script problem. Does this problem lie with the script itself? Should the Web master be using a different script or no script at all? I should like to note that FF is the most stable and versatile browser I have used and I have tried the major "brands" : Chrome (32 and 64 bit), IE (32 and 64 bit desktop, Windows 8.1 IE) and even Safari.

Chosen solution

You can try these steps in case of issues with web pages:

You can reload web page(s) and bypass the cache to refresh possibly outdated or corrupted files.

  • Hold down the Shift key and left-click the Reload button
  • Press "Ctrl + F5" or press "Ctrl + Shift + R" (Windows,Linux)
  • Press "Command + Shift + R" (Mac)

Clear the cache and remove cookies only from websites that cause problems.

"Clear the Cache":

  • Firefox/Tools > Options > Advanced > Network > Cached Web Content: "Clear Now"

"Remove Cookies" from sites causing problems:

  • Firefox/Tools > Options > Privacy > "Use custom settings for history" > Cookies: "Show Cookies"

Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions (Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem.

  • Switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance
  • Do NOT click the Reset button on the Safe Mode start window
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Chosen Solution

You can try these steps in case of issues with web pages:

You can reload web page(s) and bypass the cache to refresh possibly outdated or corrupted files.

  • Hold down the Shift key and left-click the Reload button
  • Press "Ctrl + F5" or press "Ctrl + Shift + R" (Windows,Linux)
  • Press "Command + Shift + R" (Mac)

Clear the cache and remove cookies only from websites that cause problems.

"Clear the Cache":

  • Firefox/Tools > Options > Advanced > Network > Cached Web Content: "Clear Now"

"Remove Cookies" from sites causing problems:

  • Firefox/Tools > Options > Privacy > "Use custom settings for history" > Cookies: "Show Cookies"

Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions (Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem.

  • Switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance
  • Do NOT click the Reset button on the Safe Mode start window
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Some added toolbar and anti-virus add-ons are known to cause Firefox issues. Disable All of them.

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Thanks. Somehow I missed the valuable feature you described.

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In the "chosen solution" above, I am lost in the second paragraph in the referral to a "reload button". Where is the "reload button"?

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Actually, "button" may be a misnomer. I think he is referring to the reload "3/4 circle" at the right of the address bar.

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Press the <F5> button, or the arrow formed as a circle to reload the web page. If you hold down the <Shift> key and do the above, whatever may be in the cache is reloaded.

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Thanks for the clarification! It's most useful.

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There is a combined Stop/Reload/Go button that is positioned at the right end of the location/address bar.

  • Stop button: while the page is loading
  • Reload button: when the page has finished loading
  • Go button: when you modify the location/address bar content
  • Middle-click the Reload button to duplicate the current tab to a new tab