Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

latest version of firefox is slower

more options

I've updated to the latest version of Firefox. I'm using Windows XP. I'm disappointed to find that most websites are loading more slowly. I'm still using simple ad block, and accelerators are set to on (including flash too). It also appears to be using more CPU than it used to use. Is anyone else with XP noticing a downside to this Firefox "upgrade?" I can't seem to make it any faster. It used to be faster than Internet Explorer and Chrome, but now it seems to be pretty much on par with them?

I've updated to the latest version of Firefox. I'm using Windows XP. I'm disappointed to find that most websites are loading more slowly. I'm still using simple ad block, and accelerators are set to on (including flash too). It also appears to be using more CPU than it used to use. Is anyone else with XP noticing a downside to this Firefox "upgrade?" I can't seem to make it any faster. It used to be faster than Internet Explorer and Chrome, but now it seems to be pretty much on par with them?

All Replies (9)

more options

I'm not using Windows XP any more, but I haven't seen a pattern in posts here about Windows XP over the past week.

In case they didn't update automatically, can you check for extension updates here:

orange Firefox button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons > "gear" icon > "Check for Updates"

more options

hello, can you try to replicate this behaviour when you launch firefox in safe mode once?

Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems

more options

Add-ons appear to be in order. I have very few -- nothing that should slow it down. I've noticed, in particular, ebay and yahoo finance are slower under the latest version of firefox. I use those sites often (*especially* ebay).

Recycler trɔe

more options

Hello,

Try disabling graphics hardware acceleration. Since this feature was added to Firefox, it has gradually improved, but there still are a few glitches.

You might need to restart Firefox in order for this to take effect, so save all work first (e.g., mail you are composing, online documents you're editing, etc.).

Then perform these steps:

  • Click the orange Firefox button at the top left, then select the "Options" button, or, if there is no Firefox button at the top, go to Tools > Options.
  • In the Firefox options window click the Advanced tab, then select "General".
  • In the settings list, you should find the Use hardware acceleration when available checkbox. Uncheck this checkbox.
  • Now, restart Firefox and see if the problems persist.

Additionally, please check for updates for your graphics driver by following the steps mentioned in the following Knowledge base articles:

Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems

Upgrade your graphics drivers to use hardware acceleration and WebGL

Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!

Thank you.

more options

Boot the computer in Windows Safe Mode with network support (press F8 on the boot screen) as a test to see if that helps.

more options

None of these work. The thing is is that both Chrome and Explorer work fine as far as speed goes, so it has to be something directly related to Firefox and how it interacts with our computers. I have had the same problem since the update they did in February and have been forced to use Chrome because I can't find any solutions with support. There has to be something that is either lingering in our computers from older versions that is blocking complete functionality now or it has effected our firewalls. I have completed removed Firefox and reinstalled several times with no improvement. Removed Firefox about a month ago and just installed the latest version today and have the exact same problem - so slow it isn't functional.

more options

Hi Drkstr, could you start a new question and install the Troubleshooting add-on when suggested to gather and post your system and Firefox configuration?

https://support.mozilla.org/questions/new/desktop/fix-problems

more options

I actually have already posted this question some time back and got these same suggestions. Although most sites seem to be running a tiny bit faster with the latest version, the picture below shows what happens to my connection when something tries to load. And sites like Facebook are supper slow and games like Farmville (or any games for that matter) don't work at all due to the lag. And now there are constant prompts for scripts being busy or not running the other picture. That question has been posted as well. I sure hope one day these problems are fixed because I want to come back to Firefox as soon as they are.

more options

Hi Drkstr, I'm trying not to get this thread too far away from the original poster's question, so let me reply in your other thread here: https://support.mozilla.org/questions/955816