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Firefox cookies make my computer freeze & have to be rebooted

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  • 2 have this problem
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  • Last reply by cateavb

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Firefox stopped working on my machine (Windows 8.1), it opened in the tabs I had last used but there was no picture displayed and the whole computer froze, making it necessary to restart by pushing the button. Uninstalling and reinstalling made no difference, so I uninstalled it and just started using Chrome (no problem). When optimising my computer using CC Cleaner, it stopped when trying to clear 'Firefox Cookies', also freezing my whole computer & making it necessary to restart it by pressing the off button. I've tried rebooting in safe mode but the same things happen. Please advise how to locate and delete Firefox cookies. Thank you

Firefox stopped working on my machine (Windows 8.1), it opened in the tabs I had last used but there was no picture displayed and the whole computer froze, making it necessary to restart by pushing the button. Uninstalling and reinstalling made no difference, so I uninstalled it and just started using Chrome (no problem). When optimising my computer using CC Cleaner, it stopped when trying to clear 'Firefox Cookies', also freezing my whole computer & making it necessary to restart it by pressing the off button. I've tried rebooting in safe mode but the same things happen. Please advise how to locate and delete Firefox cookies. Thank you

Chosen solution

It might be simplest to delete all Firefox cookies completely by removing the data file that holds them. Firefox will make a new one.

This wouldn't be best if you actually need to save any of those cookies, but it sounds as though you want to flush them all.

If you still have Firefox:

Open your current Firefox settings (AKA Firefox profile) folder using either

  • "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Troubleshooting Information
  • (menu bar) Help > Troubleshooting Information
  • type or paste about:support in the address bar and press Enter

In the first table on the page, click the "Show Folder" button. This should launch a new window showing various folders and files.

Leaving that window open, switch back to Firefox and Exit, either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > "power" button
  • (menu bar) File > Exit

Pause while Firefox finishes its cleanup, then delete cookies.sqlite

If you do not have Firefox:

Copy the following and paste it into the Windows search box, or the Run dialog (available on the lower Windows 8.1 start page with all the small icons) or into the address bar of a Windows Explorer window and press Enter:

%APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles

You may only have one semi-randomly named folder here, or you might have multiple folders. In the case of multiples, repeat this procedure as needed.

Click into the folder and delete cookies.sqlite

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Chosen Solution

It might be simplest to delete all Firefox cookies completely by removing the data file that holds them. Firefox will make a new one.

This wouldn't be best if you actually need to save any of those cookies, but it sounds as though you want to flush them all.

If you still have Firefox:

Open your current Firefox settings (AKA Firefox profile) folder using either

  • "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Troubleshooting Information
  • (menu bar) Help > Troubleshooting Information
  • type or paste about:support in the address bar and press Enter

In the first table on the page, click the "Show Folder" button. This should launch a new window showing various folders and files.

Leaving that window open, switch back to Firefox and Exit, either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > "power" button
  • (menu bar) File > Exit

Pause while Firefox finishes its cleanup, then delete cookies.sqlite

If you do not have Firefox:

Copy the following and paste it into the Windows search box, or the Run dialog (available on the lower Windows 8.1 start page with all the small icons) or into the address bar of a Windows Explorer window and press Enter:

%APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles

You may only have one semi-randomly named folder here, or you might have multiple folders. In the case of multiples, repeat this procedure as needed.

Click into the folder and delete cookies.sqlite

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If you decide you want to start using Firefox again, try using the Refresh feature to clean up potential settings issues. Hold down the Shift key when starting Firefox, then in the small dialog, click "Refresh" to generate a partially clean settings folder. This article describes what you keep and what you lose in the process: Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings.

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Thank you Jscher that solved the problem :-)