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

there is a bar in the middle of the browser

  • 12 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by cpromerov

more options

Hello guys,

There is a bar in the middle part of the browser. Is this a virus or a defect of Firefox?

please see the red ellipse in the attached image.

Cheers, Christian

Hello guys, There is a bar in the middle part of the browser. Is this a virus or a defect of Firefox? please see the red ellipse in the attached image. Cheers, Christian

All Replies (12)

more options

Can you give it another try and attach a screenshot?

  • Use a compressed image type like PNG or JPG to save the screenshot
  • Make sure that you do not exceed the maximum size of 1 MB

Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions (3-bar Menu button/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem.

  • Switch to the DEFAULT theme: 3-bar Menu button/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance
  • Do NOT click the Reset button on the Safe Mode start window
more options

Dear Cor-el,

Here is the screenshot

more options

Looks like something is trying to put something on the page.

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

more options

Hi FredMcD,

Yeah it goes away in safemode..

more options

but comes back in normal mode...

more options

If it works in Safe Mode and in normal mode with all extensions (3-bar Menu button/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) disabled then try to find which extension is causing it by enabling one extension at a time until the problem reappears.

Close and restart Firefox after each change via *3-bar Menu button > Exit (Power button)

  • Windows: File > Exit
  • Mac: Firefox > Quit Firefox
  • Linux: File > Quit
more options

all add-ons are off but while in normal mode the bar reappears it would seem that it is not the add-ons

more options

You can try to disable hardware acceleration in Firefox.

  • Tools > Options > Advanced > General > Browsing: "Use hardware acceleration when available"

You need to close and restart Firefox after toggling this setting.

You can check if there is an update for your graphics display driver and check for hardware acceleration related issues.

more options

That leaves hardware and the theme.

Type about:preferences#advanced<Enter> in the address bar.

Under Advanced, Select General. Look for and turn off Use Hardware Acceleration.

Poke around safe web sites. Are there any problems?


Type about:addons<enter> in the address bar to open the Add-ons Manager. Hot key; <Control>(Mac=<Command>) <Shift> A)

On the left side of the page, select Appearance. Then select Default.

more options

Guys,

Does not work. It would seem that it is virus or something in that area.... will download a good antivirus..any suggestions?

more options

Create a new profile as a test to check if your current profile is causing the problem.

See "Creating a profile":

If the new profile works then you can transfer files from a previously used profile to the new profile, but be cautious not to copy corrupted files to avoid carrying over problems.


Do a malware check with several malware scanning programs on the Windows computer.

Please scan with all programs because each program detects different malware. All these programs have free versions.

Make sure that you update each program to get the latest version of their databases before doing a scan.

You can also do a check for a rootkit infection with TDSSKiller.

See also:

Modified by cor-el

more options

Guys,

really appreciate all the help!

cheers christian