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I've been getting an error message about Gmail detecting a slow connection...

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  • 5 have this problem
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  • Last reply by jim04268

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This started happening a couple days ago. When logging in to Gmail, there's a pause and the error message about a slow connection.

It seems to have started when Firefox was updated to v32.0

This started happening a couple days ago. When logging in to Gmail, there's a pause and the error message about a slow connection. It seems to have started when Firefox was updated to v32.0

Chosen solution

Do you connect to the web directly or through a proxy (a proxy could be a filter provided by your security software, or a VPN service, etc.)? You could experiment with your connection setting here:

"3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Options > Advanced > Network mini-tab > "Settings" button

The default is "Use system proxy settings" which should use the settings in Windows/IE for your LAN connection. You also can try "No proxy" to see whether that helps.


And... the usual suggestions:

When you have a problem with one particular site, a good "first thing to try" is clearing your Firefox cache and deleting your saved cookies for the site.

(1) Bypass Firefox's Cache

Use Ctrl+Shift+r to reload the page fresh from the server.

Alternately, you also can clear Firefox's cache completely using:

"3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Options > Advanced

On the Network mini-tab > Cached Web Content : "Clear Now"

If you have a large hard drive, this might take a few minutes.

(2) Remove the site's cookies (save any pending work first). While viewing a page on the site:

  • right-click and choose View Page Info > Security > "View Cookies"
  • (menu bar) Tools > Page Info > Security > "View Cookies"

Then try reloading the page. Does that help?


To rule out extensions as a possible culprit, could you try the site in Firefox's Safe Mode? That's a standard diagnostic tool to deactivate extensions, some advanced features, and some custom settings. More info: Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode.

You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using either

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

Note: Flash and other plugins still run

After Firefox closes, a small dialog should appear: click "Start in Safe Mode" (not Reset)

Any difference?

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Chosen Solution

Do you connect to the web directly or through a proxy (a proxy could be a filter provided by your security software, or a VPN service, etc.)? You could experiment with your connection setting here:

"3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Options > Advanced > Network mini-tab > "Settings" button

The default is "Use system proxy settings" which should use the settings in Windows/IE for your LAN connection. You also can try "No proxy" to see whether that helps.


And... the usual suggestions:

When you have a problem with one particular site, a good "first thing to try" is clearing your Firefox cache and deleting your saved cookies for the site.

(1) Bypass Firefox's Cache

Use Ctrl+Shift+r to reload the page fresh from the server.

Alternately, you also can clear Firefox's cache completely using:

"3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Options > Advanced

On the Network mini-tab > Cached Web Content : "Clear Now"

If you have a large hard drive, this might take a few minutes.

(2) Remove the site's cookies (save any pending work first). While viewing a page on the site:

  • right-click and choose View Page Info > Security > "View Cookies"
  • (menu bar) Tools > Page Info > Security > "View Cookies"

Then try reloading the page. Does that help?


To rule out extensions as a possible culprit, could you try the site in Firefox's Safe Mode? That's a standard diagnostic tool to deactivate extensions, some advanced features, and some custom settings. More info: Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode.

You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using either

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

Note: Flash and other plugins still run

After Firefox closes, a small dialog should appear: click "Start in Safe Mode" (not Reset)

Any difference?

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Thanks, JScherr2000, your first idea worked. My son just admitted that he was "trying something" with the 'no proxy' setting and forgot to change it back.