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Firefox completely unresponsive - cannot Quit, use Safe Mode, Reinstall OR Uninstall

  • 5 replies
  • 6 have this problem
  • 4 views
  • Last reply by momamyrty

Liz8675309
Liz8675309
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I installed Firefox less than a month ago. Two days ago it suddenly quit while browsing. This didn't seem like a problem, really - I thought I'd just restart it - but it REMAINS open. The icon shows in my dock (on Mac) and the menu bar appears when I click the icon. I can browse menu selections but cannot choose one.

I CANNOT: - Quit Firefox - either from the menu or with Ctrl+Q - Open New Window - Open Help - Access "Troubleshooting Information" - Select "Restart with Add-Ons Disabled..." - Use Safe Mode

Because I cannot use Safe Mode, and cannot Quit the program, I CANNOT: - Uninstall (it refuses to delete, because the program is "open," as it won't quit) - Reinstall (I cannot override the existing because the program is "open") - Remove it from my Dock - ...pretty much anything else.

I've read many articles discussing Troubleshooting, Safe Mode, Clean Reinstalls, etc., but unfortunately I cannot do any of these because Firefox remains open but completely unresponsive.

(PS - I tried to install the Troubleshooting Information below, but, again, because Firefox is unresponsive, I couldn't open it lol - there was "no available application" to read it. I cannot go through the manual steps because I cannot access the Troubleshooting Information on the Help menu and so cannot even begin step 1.)

If anyone has any suggestions, I would GREATLY appreciate it! Thank you very much for your time and help!

I installed Firefox less than a month ago. Two days ago it suddenly quit while browsing. This didn't seem like a problem, really - I thought I'd just restart it - but it REMAINS open. The icon shows in my dock (on Mac) and the menu bar appears when I click the icon. I can browse menu selections but cannot choose one. I CANNOT: - Quit Firefox - either from the menu or with Ctrl+Q - Open New Window - Open Help - Access "Troubleshooting Information" - Select "Restart with Add-Ons Disabled..." - Use Safe Mode Because I cannot use Safe Mode, and cannot Quit the program, I CANNOT: - Uninstall (it refuses to delete, because the program is "open," as it won't quit) - Reinstall (I cannot override the existing because the program is "open") - Remove it from my Dock - ...pretty much anything else. I've read many articles discussing Troubleshooting, Safe Mode, Clean Reinstalls, etc., but unfortunately I cannot do any of these because Firefox remains open but completely unresponsive. (PS - I tried to install the Troubleshooting Information below, but, again, because Firefox is unresponsive, I couldn't open it lol - there was "no available application" to read it. I cannot go through the manual steps because I cannot access the Troubleshooting Information on the Help menu and so cannot even begin step 1.) If anyone has any suggestions, I would GREATLY appreciate it! Thank you very much for your time and help!

Chosen solution

If qutting it is cause issues try holding the option key while you click the icon on the dock and choose force quit from the list!

Also have you tired the Rest fire fox feature (that is if your able to get to it) To do so:

  1. Go to Firefox > Help > Troubleshooting Information.
  2. Click the "Reset Firefox" button.
  3. Firefox will close and reset. After Firefox is done, it will show a window with the information that is imported. Click Finish.
  4. Firefox will open with all factory defaults applied.
Read this answer in context 👍 2

All Replies (5)

Vault108
Vault108
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Chosen Solution

If qutting it is cause issues try holding the option key while you click the icon on the dock and choose force quit from the list!

Also have you tired the Rest fire fox feature (that is if your able to get to it) To do so:

  1. Go to Firefox > Help > Troubleshooting Information.
  2. Click the "Reset Firefox" button.
  3. Firefox will close and reset. After Firefox is done, it will show a window with the information that is imported. Click Finish.
  4. Firefox will open with all factory defaults applied.
Vault108
Vault108
more options

If qutting it is cause issues try holding the option key while you click the icon on the dock and choose force quit from the list!

Also have you tired the Rest fire fox feature (that is if your able to get to it) To do so:

  1. Go to Firefox > Help > Troubleshooting Information.
  2. Click the "Reset Firefox" button.
  3. Firefox will close and reset. After Firefox is done, it will show a window with the information that is imported. Click Finish.
  4. Firefox will open with all factory defaults applied.
kobe
kobe
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Can you "run over" the existing install. If you have Firefox installed, install over the existing install. Does Firefox work after such??

Liz8675309
Liz8675309 Question owner
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Thank you both VERY much for your help!!!

I never knew how to Force Quit on the Mac - that did the trick!

Once it accepted that the application was "closed," I was able to reinstall.

Thank you again - I really appreciate it!

momamyrty
momamyrty
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I have this problem but am unable to force ff to close. Please, please help.