Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Firefox Crashes at Seemingly Random Times

more options

My Firefox browser has been crashing at seemingly random times recently. Sometimes it crashes several times in a short time (like every few minutes or so) and sometimes it doesn't crash for hours.

I know when it crashes, because the whole browser freezes for a second or two just before the window just closes. Usually I don't even get the crash report popup to even report the crash. Only on a few occasions has it popped up.

I have not noticed the crashing to be related to any specific website or add-on usage. I have tried to use Firefox in safe mode to see, if the cause was an add-on, but even then it crashes at seemingly random times. It started happening about 3 months ago and I haven't changed any add-ons or other settings in my browser or even changed my web browsing habits.

I have tried to find others with a similar problem, but haven't quite found any previous forum postings, that quite match my situation.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to solve the issue? I can provide additional information - whatever is required to solve this.

My Firefox browser has been crashing at seemingly random times recently. Sometimes it crashes several times in a short time (like every few minutes or so) and sometimes it doesn't crash for hours. I know when it crashes, because the whole browser freezes for a second or two just before the window just closes. Usually I don't even get the crash report popup to even report the crash. Only on a few occasions has it popped up. I have not noticed the crashing to be related to any specific website or add-on usage. I have tried to use Firefox in safe mode to see, if the cause was an add-on, but even then it crashes at seemingly random times. It started happening about 3 months ago and I haven't changed any add-ons or other settings in my browser or even changed my web browsing habits. I have tried to find others with a similar problem, but haven't quite found any previous forum postings, that quite match my situation. Does anyone have any ideas on how to solve the issue? I can provide additional information - whatever is required to solve this.

Modified by ottomva

All Replies (4)

more options

Hello Ottomva..



You can try to disable hardware acceleration in Firefox.

 *   Options/Preferences -> Advanced -> General -> Browsing: "Use hardware acceleration when available" 
       You need to close and restart Firefox after toggling this setting.
 *    Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems  
       You can check if there is an update for your graphics display driver and check for hardware acceleration related      issues.
 *    Upgrade your graphics drivers to use hardware acceleration and WebGL
more options

Hi ottomva, sorry about that spam with the toll-free number. That is not official support and please use extreme caution with third party services, especially if they want remote access to your system.

more options

jscher2000 said

Hi ottomva, sorry about that spam with the toll-free number. That is not official support and please use extreme caution with third party services, especially if they want remote access to your system.

Yes, I gathered as much. I didn't call that number.

more options

hello, ottomva


It may the container, try booting firefox in safe mode to see


Try Firefox Safe Mode to see if the problem goes away. Firefox Safe Mode is a troubleshooting mode that temporarily turns off hardware acceleration, resets some settings, and disables add-ons (extensions and themes).

If Firefox is open, you can restart in Firefox Safe Mode from the Help menu:

Click the menu button Fx57Menu , click Help Fx57Help and select Restart with Add-ons Disabled. If Firefox is not running, you can start Firefox in Safe Mode as follows:

On Windows: Hold the Shift key when you open the Firefox desktop or Start menu shortcut. On Mac: Hold the option key while starting Firefox. On Linux: Quit Firefox, go to your Terminal and run firefox -safe-mode (you may need to specify the Firefox installation path e.g. /usr/lib/firefox) When the Firefox Safe Mode window appears, select "Start in Safe Mode".

Fx68SafeMode If the issue is not present in Firefox Safe Mode, your problem is probably caused by an extension, theme, or hardware acceleration. Please follow the steps in the Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems article to find the cause.

To exit Firefox Safe Mode, just close Firefox and wait a few seconds before opening Firefox for normal use again.

I hope it will help you ottomva. thank you...