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Firefox opens but does not display, icon shows lock

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  • Last reply by FredMcD

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After several updates were installed in win 8.1 the icon on the desk top has a padlock displayed. Firefox 38 opens but does not display. I used the task manager to verify Firefox was running. I noticed Firefox was running in the Avast Sandbox and disable the Sandbox but the problem as presented still exists.

After several updates were installed in win 8.1 the icon on the desk top has a padlock displayed. Firefox 38 opens but does not display. I used the task manager to verify Firefox was running. I noticed Firefox was running in the Avast Sandbox and disable the Sandbox but the problem as presented still exists.

Chosen solution

Good to hear. Well done.

Hello,

I am glad to hear that your problem has been resolved. If you haven't already, please select the answer that solves the problem. This will help other users with similar problems find the solution more easily.

Thank you for contacting Mozilla Support.

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All Replies (5)

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Hello!

Certain Firefox problems can be solved by performing a Clean reinstall. This means you remove Firefox program files and then reinstall Firefox. Please follow these steps:

Note: You might want to print these steps or view them in another browser.

  1. Download the latest Desktop version of Firefox from mozilla.org (or choose the download for your operating system and language from this page) and save the setup file to your computer.
  2. After the download finishes, close all Firefox windows (or open the Firefox menu New Fx Menu and click the close button Close 29).
  3. Delete the Firefox installation folder, which is located in one of these locations, by default:
    • Windows:
      • C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox
      • C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox
    • Mac: Delete Firefox from the Applications folder.
    • Linux: If you installed Firefox with the distro-based package manager, you should use the same way to uninstall it - see Install Firefox on Linux. If you downloaded and installed the binary package from the Firefox download page, simply remove the folder firefox in your home directory.
  4. Now, go ahead and reinstall Firefox:
    1. Double-click the downloaded installation file and go through the steps of the installation wizard.
    2. Once the wizard is finished, choose to directly open Firefox after clicking the Finish button.

More information about reinstalling Firefox can be found here.

WARNING: Do not use a third party uninstaller as part of this process. Doing so could permanently delete your Firefox profile data, including but not limited to, extensions, cache, cookies, bookmarks, personal settings and saved passwords. These cannot be easily recovered unless they have been backed up to an external device! See Back up and restore information in Firefox profiles.

Please report back to say if this helped you!

Thank you.

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Hello, probably your security software (firewall, antispyware, antivirous) blocking Firefox. Check the preferences in your security software, and allow firefox.

thank you

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Also, Type about:preferences#advanced<Enter> in the address bar.

Under Advanced, Select Network. Look for Configure How Firefox Connects and press the Settings button. If you are using a proxy, make sure those settings are correct. If there is no proxy, first use No Proxy. If there is a problem, then try System Proxy.

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After spending several hours investigating the Windows Firewall and my Avast Internet security without results I decided to return Avast to its installed defaults. This apparently fixed the problem. I sure hope so.

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Chosen Solution

Good to hear. Well done.

Hello,

I am glad to hear that your problem has been resolved. If you haven't already, please select the answer that solves the problem. This will help other users with similar problems find the solution more easily.

Thank you for contacting Mozilla Support.