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Every time I open Firefox I get a message: "an attempt to change your home page has been blocked" and firefox freezes

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Every time I open Firefox I get a message: "an attempt to change your home page has been blocked" and firefox freezes. I have unintalled it (on my MAC) and reinstalled it twice. Makes no difference. Any suggestions?

Every time I open Firefox I get a message: "an attempt to change your home page has been blocked" and firefox freezes. I have unintalled it (on my MAC) and reinstalled it twice. Makes no difference. Any suggestions?

Chosen solution

Could you try starting Firefox in its Safe Mode? That's a standard diagnostic tool to deactivate extensions and some advanced features of Firefox. More info: Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode.

If Firefox is not running: Hold down the option key when starting Firefox.

If Firefox is running: You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using either:

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

and OK the restart.

Both scenarios: A small dialog should appear. Click "Start in Safe Mode" (not Refresh).

Any improvement?


While you're in Safe Mode, could you copy a list of your extensions and then paste them into a reply? The easiest place to do that is the support information page -- either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Troubleshooting Information
  • (menu bar) Help > Troubleshooting Information
  • type or paste about:support in the address bar and press Enter

Scroll down to the Extensions heading, and select from there through the end of the following table with the mouse and copy. Then paste into a reply. It may look a bit messy but don't worry, we're used to it.


Also, if you check your home page setting, was it changed? This article shows where to find that on the Preferences page: Startup, home page, tabs, and download settings.

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Chosen Solution

Could you try starting Firefox in its Safe Mode? That's a standard diagnostic tool to deactivate extensions and some advanced features of Firefox. More info: Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode.

If Firefox is not running: Hold down the option key when starting Firefox.

If Firefox is running: You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using either:

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

and OK the restart.

Both scenarios: A small dialog should appear. Click "Start in Safe Mode" (not Refresh).

Any improvement?


While you're in Safe Mode, could you copy a list of your extensions and then paste them into a reply? The easiest place to do that is the support information page -- either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Troubleshooting Information
  • (menu bar) Help > Troubleshooting Information
  • type or paste about:support in the address bar and press Enter

Scroll down to the Extensions heading, and select from there through the end of the following table with the mouse and copy. Then paste into a reply. It may look a bit messy but don't worry, we're used to it.


Also, if you check your home page setting, was it changed? This article shows where to find that on the Preferences page: Startup, home page, tabs, and download settings.