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Not responding, have latest version, want to use, but can't since it stops entire computer

  • 6 replies
  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by cor-el

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Firefox keeps not responding and I am unable to open any other programs while it is thinking. I have the latest version and I cleared my cache. When I open task master 99% of my disk is in use, on Chrome it is 1-20%. I stopped some other programs from running, but really I don't have many nonessential programs. What gives?

Firefox keeps not responding and I am unable to open any other programs while it is thinking. I have the latest version and I cleared my cache. When I open task master 99% of my disk is in use, on Chrome it is 1-20%. I stopped some other programs from running, but really I don't have many nonessential programs. What gives?

All Replies (6)

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Hi, try starting in Safe Mode by holding down Shift when you start Firefox. More - Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode


If that doesn't help, you could try: Type about:config into the address bar, press Enter, accept the warning, scroll down and look for 'browser.tabs.remote.autostart' and 'browser.tabs.remote.autostart.2' If either or both exist, double click on either or both, to change 'Value' from True to False, then restart Firefox. More - https://support.mozilla.org/t5/Manage-preferences-and-add-ons/Configuration-Editor-for-Firefox/ta-p/35030

If your question is resolved by this or another answer, please take a minute to let us know. Thank you!

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Thanks. I will try it. If starting in safe mode works, do I need to do this all the time or is there a more permanent fix?

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https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-issues-using-safe-mode

Safe Mode is a troubleshooting mode that temporarily turns off hardware acceleration, resets some settings, and disables add-ons (extensions and themes). If the problem goes away, that tells us one thing. If it does not, that tells us something else.

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Thanks. The problem seems to have gone away in safe mode. What does that tell me?

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If it's OK in Safe Mode, disable any theme or add-ons you have - Add-ons Manager (Ctrl+Shift+A) > Extensions/Appearance, then if it's still OK, re-enable them one by one until you find the culprit. Some may require a Firefox restart.

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When multi-process windows in Firefox is enabled then Firefox will use more memory and may be less responsive. Try to disable multi-process windows in Firefox to see if that has effect.

You can disable multi-process windows in Firefox by setting these prefs to false on the about:config page.

  • browser.tabs.remote.autostart = false
  • browser.tabs.remote.autostart.2 = false

You can open the about:config page: via the location/address bar. You can accept the warning and click "I'll be careful" to continue.


You can try to disable hardware acceleration in Firefox.

  • Options/Preferences -> 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.

Modified by cor-el