How can I view a second window from Firefox, that is there, but doesnt display it? I rebooted and no luck viewing my 2nd window in Windows 10? Any thoughts?
Hi,
I just bought a top of the line laptop with Windows 10. Ive noticed that most of the time, when I open up a 2nd Firefox Browser window, I can use it and interact...but later on, it becomes "invisible" and I see it on the Bar of Open programs, but I can no longer view it. I have tried a wide variety of ways, but nothing happens. When I try and switch to it, it doesnt work. I also tried rebooting and that doesnt help either.
The only solution I found is to Close the Window..using the right click feature on the bar...and Reopening a NEW window. but again...that only works temporarily.
All Replies (4)
This may be a Windows related question rather than a Firefox issue. I am using Windows 10 at present. I quite like it Especially after installing the classicshell.net. app . Firefox seems to behave as expected.
If you know what is in the second window can you navigate to it by typing appropriate details in the addressbar. Start the typng with a percent sign % followed by a space, and Firefox will search for open tab content.
Are the windows on another desktop? You Windows users have only just got them see
If it is a windows issue somewhere like tenforums.com may be able to help they have a forum and tutorials. (Obviously there are many alternative fora )
Do you mean when you hover the mouse pointer over the Firefox icon on the Taskbar and click the image, Windows appears to be making it the active window, but it's not visible anywhere?
Sometimes a Firefox window gets "off screen" somehow. You often can force it to appear on the screen by right-clicking the thumbnail image floating above the Taskbar and choosing Maximize. Does that work?
One possible cause for this is that the file which stores window sizes and positions has become corrupted. You can remove that file and Firefox will return to standard window sizing/positioning.
Method #1: If you can get a maximized window:
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 listing various files and folders in Windows Explorer.
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 rename xulstore.json to something like xulstore.old. If you see a file named localstore.rdf, rename that one to localstore.old.
Start Firefox back up again. Do windows display normally again?
Method #2: If you cannot get a Firefox window at all:
Shut down Firefox by right-clicking the taskbar icon > Close All Windows.
Using the Run dialog (windows key + R) or the Start menu search bar type or paste the following and press Enter to drill down to the Profiles folder:
%APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles
Here you may see one folder -- in which case, double-click into that -- or more than one folder -- in which case, double-click into what looks like the most recently updated.
Scroll down and rename xulstore.json to something like xulstore.old. If you see a file named localstore.rdf, rename that one to localstore.old.
Start Firefox back up again. Do windows display normally again?
Then, to turn different bars back on, you can use one of these methods to show the toolbar list and select the desired bars there:
- right-click a blank spot on the tab bar (or the "+" button)
- tap the Alt key to activate the classic menu bar > View > Toolbars
- in Customize mode > Show/Hide Toolbars (see: Customize Firefox controls, buttons and toolbars)
To turn on the Menu Bar, Bookmarks Toolbar, or other bars, click it on the list.
Hi, Thanks for the tips.
I too, thought that it could be off screen somewhere...so I closed that window completely. Opened up a new window and later had the same issue..and I didnt move off screen at all.
Now, that I closed the effected window. I have three functioning windows for the time being...to test if they all remain stable and visible. If this re-occurs...I will definitely try the suggestions that were made. Thanks!! Will update you in a day or two , either way.
jscher2000 said
.... Sometimes a Firefox window gets "off screen" somehow. You often can force it to appear on the screen by right-clicking the thumbnail image floating above the Taskbar and choosing Maximize. Does that work? ....
If that happens also remember the Keyboard shortcuts that have worked for decades
- Alt+Tab ... Tab Will cycle through open windows with each press of the Tab key
- Once a window is focussed (even if offscreen) Alt+Space brings up the window menu, and Alt+X then maximises