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 update 63.0.1 is "super" slow. Nothing in the fix suggestions works.

  • 8 replies
  • 3 have this problem
  • 13 views
  • Last reply by FredMcD

more options

This has been an ongoing problem that started, first with update 63.0, and continues with update 63.0.1.

I have tried multiple fix suggestions, including the very disappointing "refresh Firefox" option. While that did nothing to cure the problem, it did wipe out every saved password. That, to be blunt, really ticked me off. It says this fix solution will keep our saved information, with no mention of erasing passwords.

Second, I changed the Network Settings as directed, from Use system proxy settings to auto-detect proxy settings for this network. I have been cautioned NOT to use the no proxy option, because it has a chance of rendering some websites unavailable. Not interested in messing up my browsing experience any worse than these recent Firefox updates have accomplished by themselves.

All these problems aside, my biggest disappointment is in the total lack of communication from Mozilla. While I value the Firefox ideology and the mission to provide a more private internet browsing experience, all this is worthless to me if my pages load at something akin to dial-up speeds.

At this juncture I have no choice but to use Google Chrome until someone can provide me with a workable solution, a solution that doesn't send me back to square one with all my saved Firefox information. If that is the only remedy, I might as well switch my default browser now and begin to re-acclimate myself to the changes.

Thanks.

This has been an ongoing problem that started, first with update 63.0, and continues with update 63.0.1. I have tried multiple fix suggestions, including the very disappointing "refresh Firefox" option. While that did nothing to cure the problem, it did wipe out every saved password. That, to be blunt, really ticked me off. It says this fix solution will keep our saved information, with no mention of erasing passwords. Second, I changed the Network Settings as directed, from Use system proxy settings to auto-detect proxy settings for this network. I have been cautioned NOT to use the no proxy option, because it has a chance of rendering some websites unavailable. Not interested in messing up my browsing experience any worse than these recent Firefox updates have accomplished by themselves. All these problems aside, my biggest disappointment is in the total lack of communication from Mozilla. While I value the Firefox ideology and the mission to provide a more private internet browsing experience, all this is worthless to me if my pages load at something akin to dial-up speeds. At this juncture I have no choice but to use Google Chrome until someone can provide me with a workable solution, a solution that doesn't send me back to square one with all my saved Firefox information. If that is the only remedy, I might as well switch my default browser now and begin to re-acclimate myself to the changes. Thanks.

Chosen solution

I did not need to utilize the Safe Mode suggestion.

Early on, I saw where changing the proxy settings "might" correct Firefox running slow. There were also some words of caution across the geek community in information I researched against altering how Firefox connects to the internet, (ie: proxy settings).

Today I had the time to dig deeper into this option and flipped back to "no proxy". Things have returned to normal, thank God. Sorry, not a big fan of the "Other Browsers".

My question at this juncture would be how, or why did the 63.0.1 Firefox update alter my connection settings? As I mentioned, I have been navigating around in cyberspace using Firefox as my primary browser, and never experienced an issue until now.

Thanks Fred McD for the suggestions. Just in case I have to revisit this problem in the future, I have logged some of your valuable links.

Hopefully I can consider this issue fixed and begin to browse on, again at 21st century speeds. Shoot, there were moments when I thought I heard the infamous dial tone it was so slow.

Thanks again.

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (8)

more options

ProfessorCNut said

including the very disappointing "refresh Firefox" option. While that did nothing to cure the problem, it did wipe out every saved password.

Refreshing Firefox {web link} is a LAST RESORT ! !

Refreshing Firefox -- easily fix most problems

If you're having problems with Firefox, refreshing it can help. The refresh feature fixes many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information like bookmarks and open tabs. Everything else, like user settings and add-ons, are removed.


Note: The current profile is moved to a folder on your desktop. We will worry about it later.

more options

Make sure you are not blocking content.

Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web link} by holding down the <Shift> (Mac=Options) key, and then starting Firefox.

A small dialog should appear. Click Start In Safe Mode (not Refresh). Is the problem still there?


One issue that seems more common lately is Firefox's Tracking Protection feature. When it is blocking content in a page, a shield icon will appear at the left end of the address bar next to the padlock icon. This article has more info on managing this feature: Tracking Protection {web link}

more options

Removed all the tracking protection features as well.

There is no evidence the shield icon ever appears on any of the websites. This slowness is inherent on every website, including the Mozzila help forum I am currently in.

Every website loads normally on Google Chrome, so the problem is obviously a Firefox issue. I have been a longtime user, and this new issue materialized with the download of updates 63.0 and 63.0.1.

I am not a developer, but what test evidence I can produce points directly at a problem with one or both of these updates. Nothing else has changed on anything I do.

Oh, and as for the refresh idea: Firefox will save these items:

   • Bookmarks
   • Browsing and download history
   • Passwords
   • Open windows and tabs
   • Cookies
   • Web form auto-fill information
   • Personal dictionary 

NOT! The refresh "last resort idea" wiped every saved password off the books.

Thanks for the attempts to help, but nothing as yet is changing the situation for the better. Certainly appears Chrome has a new/old customer returning, as begrudgingly as I accept that necessity.

I simply cannot justify the slow and frustrating performance of Firefox as my default browser much longer.

Thanks.

more options
more options

In response to your helpful suggestions, here is how I have attempted to address the problem.

1. https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Firefox+is+already+running+but+is+not+responding

• This has happened on one occasion. Opened Firefox as I have hundreds of times and nothing happened. Opened approximately 10 minutes later to my surprise. This phenomenon has not repeated other than that one time.

2. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-slow-how-make-it-faster

• This has been the link with suggestions that seem to just send me round in circles chasing my tail. As we progress further down your list of suggested links to fix the slowness, the problem seems to point back to something wrong with the 63.0.1 update. I have worked through no less than 4 of the suggestions from the above line, but no success.

3. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-uses-too-many-cpu-resources-how-fix

• Firefox appears to be using no additional resources than ever before. My concern would be, that when I compare the massive CPU hound Google Chrome with Firefox, the numbers are still FAR less for Firefox. However, Chrome is running normally and Firefox is at a snail's pace.

4. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-uses-too-much-memory-ram

• Same issue as the above suggestion. There has been no change in memory use.

5. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-hangs-or-not-responding

• Other than the monumental 10 minute delay opening, "hangs and slow" are the only things that point to this as a viable solution. Unfortunately, nothing suggested changes the speed of Firefox for the better.

I greatly appreciate these helpful tips, but unfortunately nothing is working as of yet. I have been forced to step over to that "other browser" until a solution is presented.

I am though, rather dismayed at the lack of communication from Mozilla. Seems they would be more concerned with a obvious issue with one of their updates.

Thanks Fred for the efforts to help.

more options

Was running Firefox in Safe Mode any help?

Start your Computer in safe mode with network support. Then start Firefox. Try Secure websites. Is the problem still there?

http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Linux+Safe+Mode Starting Any Computer In Safe Mode; Free Online Encyclopedia

more options

Chosen Solution

I did not need to utilize the Safe Mode suggestion.

Early on, I saw where changing the proxy settings "might" correct Firefox running slow. There were also some words of caution across the geek community in information I researched against altering how Firefox connects to the internet, (ie: proxy settings).

Today I had the time to dig deeper into this option and flipped back to "no proxy". Things have returned to normal, thank God. Sorry, not a big fan of the "Other Browsers".

My question at this juncture would be how, or why did the 63.0.1 Firefox update alter my connection settings? As I mentioned, I have been navigating around in cyberspace using Firefox as my primary browser, and never experienced an issue until now.

Thanks Fred McD for the suggestions. Just in case I have to revisit this problem in the future, I have logged some of your valuable links.

Hopefully I can consider this issue fixed and begin to browse on, again at 21st century speeds. Shoot, there were moments when I thought I heard the infamous dial tone it was so slow.

Thanks again.

more options

That was very good work. Well done. Please flag your last post as Solved Problem so others will know.