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

I upgraded to Windows 10, now my Firefox wont work? why

more options

Since I upgraded to windows 10 if I try to use Firefox it crashes and closes down, The Flash Player Crashes, and when trying to search the web it is really really slow. I have been forced to use google Chrome and Internet Exployer. When I contacted Microsoft they advised me the problem was with Firefox,(Mozilla)...and not theres. They were not responsible for Firefox crashing and it was not their problem that Adobe Flash Player keeps crashing, it works just fine with Internet Explorer and Chrome. Is there a problem with Firefox and is it going to be fixed? I really like Firefox and would prefer to use it. I hate to think I would have to re-install Windows 7.... thanks for any help............. John Hawkins

Since I upgraded to windows 10 if I try to use Firefox it crashes and closes down, The Flash Player Crashes, and when trying to search the web it is really really slow. I have been forced to use google Chrome and Internet Exployer. When I contacted Microsoft they advised me the problem was with Firefox,(Mozilla)...and not theres. They were not responsible for Firefox crashing and it was not their problem that Adobe Flash Player keeps crashing, it works just fine with Internet Explorer and Chrome. Is there a problem with Firefox and is it going to be fixed? I really like Firefox and would prefer to use it. I hate to think I would have to re-install Windows 7.... thanks for any help............. John Hawkins

All Replies (1)

more options

Sorry to hear about the crashes. Can you get Firefox running more stably in its Safe Mode? That's a standard diagnostic tool to deactivate extensions and some advanced features of Firefox. More info: Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode.

If Firefox is not running: Hold down the Shift key when starting Firefox.

If Firefox is running: You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
  • Help menu > Restart with Add-ons Disabled

and OK the restart.

Both scenarios: A small dialog should appear. Click "Start in Safe Mode" (not Refresh).

Any less crashy?


I don't know whether you have been seeing the Mozilla Crash Reporter dialog, or the Windows crash dialog. If you are getting the Mozilla Crash Reporter form, your Firefox may have logged some data that would help track down the cause of the problem. You can submit that data to Mozilla and share it with forum volunteers to see whether it points to the solution. Please check the last section of the support article "Firefox Crashes" for steps to get those crash IDs from the about:crashes page, and then post some of the recent ones here.


This is some standard guidance that addresses the most common issues with the Flash Player plugin. I'm sure you've seen some of it before, but just in case:

(1) If you have any recorders/downloaders that interact with Flash media make sure they are as up-to-date as possible, or disable them temporarily.

(2) Disable hardware acceleration in Flash: right-click the media in the player and choose Settings, then the first mini-tab and uncheck the box to use hardware acceleration.

More information in this support article from Adobe: http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/video-playback-issues.html#main_Solve_video_playback_issues

(3) Disable protected mode (Windows Vista and higher)

The protected mode feature of the Flash player plugin has security benefits, but seems to have compatibility issues on some systems. You can disable it using the Add-ons page. Either:

  • Ctrl+Shift+a
  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons

In the left column, click Plugins. On the right side, find "Shockwave Flash" and click the More link. Then uncheck the box for "Enable Adobe Flash protected mode" and try that for a day to see whether it helps.