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FF browser freezes while watching YouTube using v15.0

  • 7 replies
  • 29 have this problem
  • 26 views
  • Last reply by JoniD

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My flash and plugins are all up to date. With v15.0 upon trying to watch a video, Firefox freezes for about 4-5 seconds as though the streaming of the video freezes the entire browser including ALL tabs. I have 20mb high speed cable. This is new to this upgrade. I am truly losing patience with Firefox this year, never had so many issues in the past.

My flash and plugins are all up to date. With v15.0 upon trying to watch a video, Firefox freezes for about 4-5 seconds as though the streaming of the video freezes the entire browser including ALL tabs. I have 20mb high speed cable. This is new to this upgrade. I am truly losing patience with Firefox this year, never had so many issues in the past.

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I can confirm that this issue isn't related to browser cache, viruses, firefall, etc. I am using WaterFox ( 64 bit Firefox version 15) I also using Flash Player 64 bit Version 11.4.402.265.

I haven't upgraded Flash player since the initial release of 64 bit flash. Back then, Flash didn't freeze all my firefox tabs. I wish I knew which version was the last Flash version that didnt have this problem.

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All Replies (7)

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Hi JoniD,

I'm sorry to hear that you are unable to watch Youtube videos using Firefox.

Here a couple of solutions to your problem:

  • Clear the browser cache (Tools->Clear Private Data->select cache->click on "Clear Private Data Now" button).
  • Delete any cookies relating to the site(s) involved (Tools->Options->Privacy->Show Cookies button).
  • Update your sound card driver. Problems like this may occur due to old drivers.
  • Update your Flash Plugin. If this doesn't work try installing an older version of Adobe Flash.

I hope this helps!

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Also check the settings in your security software (firewall, anti-virus) and make sure that it doesn't block the plugin-container process or the flash plugin.

See also:

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Thank you for your replies. Sancrya11 I am using v15.0, your paths to clear private data don't exist nor a Show cookies button. What version are you referring to?

A previous version v14 I think said to use an older flash version. Perhaps I'll do that again. Strange that MS Explorer jives with the latest Flash versions and FF can't seem to get in stride. FF freezes if I move the scroll bar while watching a video. (I have acceleration set to not accelerate, either way, same result.) Once I get this figured out, I won't upgrade FF anymore, or just switch browsers. Seems there is always a problem with FF now a days. It used to be the best browser.

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To see all History and Cookie settings, choose:

  • Tools > Options > Privacy, choose the setting Firefox will: Use custom settings for history
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Chosen Solution

I can confirm that this issue isn't related to browser cache, viruses, firefall, etc. I am using WaterFox ( 64 bit Firefox version 15) I also using Flash Player 64 bit Version 11.4.402.265.

I haven't upgraded Flash player since the initial release of 64 bit flash. Back then, Flash didn't freeze all my firefox tabs. I wish I knew which version was the last Flash version that didnt have this problem.

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Did you try to disable protected mode in both Firefox and the Flash player to see if either helps?

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I downgraded my Flash to v10.3.138.20 and disabled the accelerator in the Flash (right click over video for Flash settings). This has solved the browser and video freezing. Also the streaming of the video was interrupted and I have high speed cable, it was the browser, this seems to have subsided as well.