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Adobe Flash player causing MAJOR problems in Firefox!! (Windows 8.1) HELP!!!!!

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For many MONTHS now......I have been having this problem......and from what I can tell now (after I have just installed an older VIDEO DRIVER).....the problem is DEFINITELY (or at least I'm VERY sure) to do with the ADOBE FLASH PLAYER

I have Windows 8.1.... Adobe Version is completely up to date: Version 17.0.0.188 i am using FIREFOX (also up to date): Version (ok, the "help" part of the menu is NOT opening to confirm the version...but it IS up to date, as I get updates automatically).

Here is the PROBLEM: EVERYDAY that I go online, sometimes INSTANTLY....or it may take a little time before it happens......but using Firefox, my "Browsing"....or video watching becomes slower and slower and slower. To the point that in some cases.....it will take up to 5 MINUTES just to switch screens when I click on one of the "Tabs" (when I only have 2 web pages open).

    Pages seem to take FOREVER to load, etc.......and there is a huge "lag" from when I CLICK on something......to when the computer actually does what it's supposed to do........and the at the WORST.....the pages, videos, etc......will just "CRASH"
        • I always submit the "CRASH REPORT" per the Adobe Banner.....but nothing ever happens of course from that (it's just useless probably)

Now.....the reason I KNOW the problem is "ADOBE FLASH PLAYER".......is because I have some "TV" running in a tiny window in the background (which also suffers the same problems as above). And it, too, will crash, etc.

What I HAVE figure out.......but only as a TEMPORARY and SLIGHT "fix"......is that every few minutes........I need to open up my "TASK MANAGER"........and actually "END TASK" on the ADOBE FLASH PLAYER.

 When I do this.......and give the computer a few seconds to catch up...........the computer speed is GREAT!!!!!       But, once Adobe Flash gets going again.....all my problems start again (and the cycle starts over again and again)
          • the WEIRD part about the "Task Manager"......is that ADOBE FLASH PLAYER is barely using ANY of my computer's "memory" (RAM I presume????).....as is Firefox.

My computer has a total of 6 (SIX) Gigabytes of RAM........and when I look at the Task manager.........ADOBE FLASH PLAYER is using up MAYBE 100 mb of that. And the most I've EVER seen Firefox using is around 800 mb

So......unless there is a major issue with Firefox working with Adobe...........(or Windows 8.1 completely screwing up.....which wouldn't surprise me either).........ADOBE FLASH has some SERIOUS issues :(


Is there ANYONE OUT THERE.......that knows anything about this.......or HOW I can fix this?????......so that I can actually enjoy "full speed" web browsing again ALL DAY without having to worry about "maintenance" all day long???

Thank you in advance for any help you can provide!!! And please....if you have ANY QUESTIONS>......or need further information from me....please let me know. I am fairly good with computers (but not super "techy" if you know what I mean).....but I should be able to find what you might need if you ask me to look for something :)

Many regards, Scott Simpson

For many MONTHS now......I have been having this problem......and from what I can tell now (after I have just installed an older VIDEO DRIVER).....the problem is DEFINITELY (or at least I'm VERY sure) to do with the ADOBE FLASH PLAYER I have Windows 8.1.... Adobe Version is completely up to date: Version 17.0.0.188 i am using FIREFOX (also up to date): Version (ok, the "help" part of the menu is NOT opening to confirm the version...but it IS up to date, as I get updates automatically). Here is the PROBLEM: EVERYDAY that I go online, sometimes INSTANTLY....or it may take a little time before it happens......but using Firefox, my "Browsing"....or video watching becomes slower and slower and slower. To the point that in some cases.....it will take up to 5 MINUTES just to switch screens when I click on one of the "Tabs" (when I only have 2 web pages open). Pages seem to take FOREVER to load, etc.......and there is a huge "lag" from when I CLICK on something......to when the computer actually does what it's supposed to do........and the at the WORST.....the pages, videos, etc......will just "CRASH" ****I always submit the "CRASH REPORT" per the Adobe Banner.....but nothing ever happens of course from that (it's just useless probably) Now.....the reason I KNOW the problem is "ADOBE FLASH PLAYER".......is because I have some "TV" running in a tiny window in the background (which also suffers the same problems as above). And it, too, will crash, etc. What I HAVE figure out.......but only as a TEMPORARY and SLIGHT "fix"......is that every few minutes........I need to open up my "TASK MANAGER"........and actually "END TASK" on the ADOBE FLASH PLAYER. When I do this.......and give the computer a few seconds to catch up...........the computer speed is GREAT!!!!! But, once Adobe Flash gets going again.....all my problems start again (and the cycle starts over again and again) *****the WEIRD part about the "Task Manager"......is that ADOBE FLASH PLAYER is barely using ANY of my computer's "memory" (RAM I presume????).....as is Firefox. My computer has a total of 6 (SIX) Gigabytes of RAM........and when I look at the Task manager.........ADOBE FLASH PLAYER is using up MAYBE 100 mb of that. And the most I've EVER seen Firefox using is around 800 mb So......unless there is a major issue with Firefox working with Adobe...........(or Windows 8.1 completely screwing up.....which wouldn't surprise me either).........ADOBE FLASH has some SERIOUS issues :( Is there ANYONE OUT THERE.......that knows anything about this.......or HOW I can fix this?????......so that I can actually enjoy "full speed" web browsing again ALL DAY without having to worry about "maintenance" all day long??? Thank you in advance for any help you can provide!!! And please....if you have ANY QUESTIONS>......or need further information from me....please let me know. I am fairly good with computers (but not super "techy" if you know what I mean).....but I should be able to find what you might need if you ask me to look for something :) Many regards, Scott Simpson

All Replies (2)

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This is not a cure, but it will help you

Flash block {web link} Never be annoyed by a Flash animation again! Blocks Flash so it won't get in your way, but if you want to see it, just click on it


If you have problems with current Shockwave Flash plugin versions then check this:

  • see if there are updates for your graphics drive drivers

https://support.mozilla.org/kb/upgrade-graphics-drivers-use-hardware-acceleration

  • disable protected mode in the Flash plugin (Flash 11.3+ on Windows Vista and later)

https://forums.adobe.com/message/4468493#TemporaryWorkaround

  • disable hardware acceleration in the Flash plugin

https://forums.adobe.com/thread/891337 See also:

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NelsonScotty said

For many MONTHS now......I have been having this problem......and from what I can tell now (after I have just installed an older VIDEO DRIVER).....the problem is DEFINITELY (or at least I'm VERY sure) to do with the ADOBE FLASH PLAYER I have Windows 8.1.... Adobe Version is completely up to date: Version 17.0.0.188 i am using FIREFOX (also up to date): Version (ok, the "help" part of the menu is NOT opening to confirm the version...but it IS up to date, as I get updates automatically). Here is the PROBLEM: EVERYDAY that I go online, sometimes INSTANTLY....or it may take a little time before it happens......but using Firefox, my "Browsing"....or video watching becomes slower and slower and slower. To the point that in some cases.....it will take up to 5 MINUTES just to switch screens when I click on one of the "Tabs" (when I only have 2 web pages open). Pages seem to take FOREVER to load, etc.......and there is a huge "lag" from when I CLICK on something......to when the computer actually does what it's supposed to do........and the at the WORST.....the pages, videos, etc......will just "CRASH"
        • I always submit the "CRASH REPORT" per the Adobe Banner.....but nothing ever happens of course from that (it's just useless probably)
Now.....the reason I KNOW the problem is "ADOBE FLASH PLAYER".......is because I have some "TV" running in a tiny window in the background (which also suffers the same problems as above). And it, too, will crash, etc. What I HAVE figure out.......but only as a TEMPORARY and SLIGHT "fix"......is that every few minutes........I need to open up my "TASK MANAGER"........and actually "END TASK" on the ADOBE FLASH PLAYER. When I do this.......and give the computer a few seconds to catch up...........the computer speed is GREAT!!!!! But, once Adobe Flash gets going again.....all my problems start again (and the cycle starts over again and again)
          • the WEIRD part about the "Task Manager"......is that ADOBE FLASH PLAYER is barely using ANY of my computer's "memory" (RAM I presume????).....as is Firefox.
My computer has a total of 6 (SIX) Gigabytes of RAM........and when I look at the Task manager.........ADOBE FLASH PLAYER is using up MAYBE 100 mb of that. And the most I've EVER seen Firefox using is around 800 mb So......unless there is a major issue with Firefox working with Adobe...........(or Windows 8.1 completely screwing up.....which wouldn't surprise me either).........ADOBE FLASH has some SERIOUS issues :( Is there ANYONE OUT THERE.......that knows anything about this.......or HOW I can fix this?????......so that I can actually enjoy "full speed" web browsing again ALL DAY without having to worry about "maintenance" all day long??? Thank you in advance for any help you can provide!!! And please....if you have ANY QUESTIONS>......or need further information from me....please let me know. I am fairly good with computers (but not super "techy" if you know what I mean).....but I should be able to find what you might need if you ask me to look for something :) Many regards, Scott Simpson

FredMcD said

This is not a cure, but it will help you Flash block {web link} Never be annoyed by a Flash animation again! Blocks Flash so it won't get in your way, but if you want to see it, just click on it

If you have problems with current Shockwave Flash plugin versions then check this:

  • see if there are updates for your graphics drive drivers

https://support.mozilla.org/kb/upgrade-graphics-drivers-use-hardware-acceleration

  • disable protected mode in the Flash plugin (Flash 11.3+ on Windows Vista and later)

https://forums.adobe.com/message/4468493#TemporaryWorkaround

  • disable hardware acceleration in the Flash plugin

https://forums.adobe.com/thread/891337 See also:


Hi FREDMCD,

  thanks so much for responding.....and for all the suggestions and links.  I really appreciate it.
 I have NOT had a chance to "test" everything yet......but I certainly WILL....and hope at least something works.

I know my video card IS up to date.....so I know it's not that. In fact....I actually went back to an OLDER driver....because I thought it was the "new" driver causing part of the problems.

            • but for sure it is definitely something to do with the "ADOBE PLAYER"........because for the last 2 days, I have ONLY used "Google CHROME".......and have had absolutely NO PROBLEM with computer speed or lag of ANY KIND!!!

So, in a way, I feel somewhat relieved that it's not my computer that's the problem (most iikely).....and something that either just "ADOBE"......or Firefox not working with Adobe for some reason.

We'll see what happens in the next while.

Thank you again for your assistance.

Scott