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Firefox freezes, says plugin container has stopped working

  • 7 replies
  • 12 have this problem
  • 7 views
  • Last reply by FredMcD

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I can no longer use Firefox. It started out as a video problem. Videos became more choppy and eventually stopped playing altogether telling me there were problems with the java script. I deleted all history and caches and that did the trick for a few hours. I also disabled 3rd party cookies. Soon after Firefox would freeze anytime I started it up. It says my plugin container has stopped working; I looked this problem up and found out that some guy had the same problem when he disabled 3rd party cookies. I've tried everything, even re-installed Firefox, which should have re-setted everything! But it freezes as soon as I click on anything, so I can't go into my settings and re-enable 3rd party cookies (if that's even the solution!)

So this is what it looks like now:

I open Firefox up and it wants me to restore pages. No matter what I click, it freezes and shuts down. Then it usually tells me "Plugin container has stopped working." Sometimes I can get past the restore page and to the home page, but it freezes and shuts down as soon as I click anything and repeats the same message.

I really need help! Firefox is the only browser where I can watch or download videos.

I can no longer use Firefox. It started out as a video problem. Videos became more choppy and eventually stopped playing altogether telling me there were problems with the java script. I deleted all history and caches and that did the trick for a few hours. I also disabled 3rd party cookies. Soon after Firefox would freeze anytime I started it up. It says my plugin container has stopped working; I looked this problem up and found out that some guy had the same problem when he disabled 3rd party cookies. I've tried everything, even re-installed Firefox, which should have re-setted everything! But it freezes as soon as I click on anything, so I can't go into my settings and re-enable 3rd party cookies (if that's even the solution!) So this is what it looks like now: I open Firefox up and it wants me to restore pages. No matter what I click, it freezes and shuts down. Then it usually tells me "Plugin container has stopped working." Sometimes I can get past the restore page and to the home page, but it freezes and shuts down as soon as I click anything and repeats the same message. I really need help! Firefox is the only browser where I can watch or download videos.

All Replies (7)

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What is your computer system and Firefox?

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/what-is-plugin-container

Update your Flash Player Version 18.0.0.232
https://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/distribution3.html
Note: Windows users must download the “Internet Explorer” and “Plugin-based browsers” installers.

Note: Edge on Win10 does not use ActiveX version but its own Flash.

See if there are updates for your graphics drivers https://support.mozilla.org/kb/upgrade-graphics-drivers-use-hardware-acceleration

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I have Windows vista. (My computer is old and slow, so I'm looking for a new one.) I updated my flash player. I uninstalled and reinstalled Firefox twice now, but it still freezes when I start it up. So if I could get it unfrozen, that would be great. But as of now, I can't do anything to fix the video problem because the browser won't unfreeze.

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Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web Link} by holding down the <Shift>
(Mac Options)
key, and then starting Firefox. Is the problem still there?


Start your Computer in safe mode with networking. Then start Firefox. Try Safe web sites. Is the problem still there?

Starting The Computer In Safe Mode;
Free Online Encyclopedia

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I have the same problem. Not only does Firefox lock up repeatedly, even Word and the Task Manager, etc. lock up anytime this container monstrosity decides to hog all the system resources. Thought first I had a virus or a Trojan or something of the sort and ran several anti-virus softwares to remove it. To no avail. Have since changed to Opera that has no such problems. As long as these Firefox jokesters think they can come out with garbage like that container thing and nothing will happen, let them think again.

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CaseyPhyle

Please go to the top of any support.mozilla.org web page and use the Ask A Question link; https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/new This will let us look at your system details. No Personal Information Is Collected.

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Yep. I did the same and nothing bad was found on my laptop. I don't know why firefox doesn't work on my laptop anymore. Now my sister's laptop is having the same trouble with firefox and showing all the same symptoms. It could be that we have the same type of laptops, Acers, and they are fairly old. But they are both in great condition, never been dropped or anything. Just old tech I guess. I ended up buying a cheap RCA tablet 2-in-1 tablet from Walmart.

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Sorry could not give better help.

Hello,

I am glad to hear that your problem has been resolved. If you haven't already, please select the answer that solves the problem. This will help other users with similar problems find the solution more easily.

Thank you for contacting Mozilla Support.