Firefox running, but won't open?

cargorlaur

Hi all,

I have spent quite a while trying to find the correct place to put my query...I can't find a section on web browsers and the 'search' function brings up nothing related to my query...so I'm going to post here under Computers & Technology.

Anyway, I'm wondering can anyone help me with my firefox issue.

It used to work fine, but recently, I click on the firefox icon, the hourglass goes around and then nothing.

In the task manager it says that Firefox is running....?

I have tried re-booting the laptop, then uninstalling/reininstalling firefox...to no avail.

I am currently using Google Chrome, but would prefer to go back to firefox.

What I find interesting is that firefox works on the other user accounts on the same pc...

Any help would be appreciated....

hobochris

Try end the task in task manager and run firefox again.

If that doesn't work go to add/remove programs in control panel and remove firefox.

Then download and reinstall firefox again.

Blowfish

Most problems with browsers not opening etc. happen because of dodgy addons.

End the Firefox process, then go to Start->All Programs->Mozilla Firefox->Mozilla Firefox(Safe Mode).

If it opens, go to Tools->Add-ons->Extensions and disable everything. You can then reenable everything one by one to see which add-on in particular is causing it.

cargorlaur

Thanks..

Hi Hobochris, tried all that, to no avail...thanks though!

Blowfish, ended the firefox process in task manager...then, I went into the Firefox (safe mode) option...unfortunately, that too will not open.

I am guessing it has something to do with add-ons alright, because I'm the only one who was changing my profile 'skin' and other stuff like that...the other users on the laptop just left theirs alone!

Anyway, still in the dark...thanks though guys!:)

bhickey

Instructions for manually removing Firefox add-ons are here

cargorlaur

Thanks for that...had to go out just after I posted my last post.

I'll have a look into it tomorrow and see how I go...

Snowbat

If Firefox works for other user accounts, your account probably has a corrupt Firefox profile. Firefox profiles are *not* removed when you uninstall Firefox.

I suggest you start firefox with the -P option (see here), remove the existing profile and create a new one.

Alternatively, you could manually delete the profile folder:
http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox

cargorlaur

Thanks, I have a feeling that this will be the solution...It has to be a corrupt file or something.

I hope to devote some time to this later on today (I have to head out now again :rolleyes:) so I'll get back to you with the results...

I really appreciate the replies....

cargorlaur

Hi all....

Success!!!!

So, once I was able to devote a bit of time to this,

1. I went into task manager and ended all the Firefox processes that were running in the background. (There was about 6!)

2. I uninstalled Firefox

3. I manually deleted any Firefox folders in the Program files folders...

5. I deleted all shortcuts on my desktop.

4. I emptied my recycle bin.

5. Re-installed Firefox (accessing the website through Google Chrome)

6. Re-booted laptop.

7. Firefox still did not open...so once again I ended the process in the task manager.

8. This time I was able to open Firefox (Safe mode) once I selected the Administrator mode. (Can't quite remember this step, but I think I right clicked over the words "Firefox (Safe mode)" then I was able to select 'Run as Administrator' option)...it all happened a bit quick!

7. I was then able to disable all 'Add-ons'.

9. Clicked on the Firefox shortcut and it opened!

10. So, just back on to Thank you all....

Hopefully this will be the end of my Firefox issues!

(I also had an error message showing up about a Kontiki delivery system...so I clicked on the button to 'restore' it , now the error message appears to be gone now...I wonder had this anything to do with it?)