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Why does Google Image Search freeze up when using Firefox?

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  • 8 have this problem
  • 7 views
  • Last reply by VisionGhost

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When executing an Image Search via Google within Firefox it temporarily freezes or becomes persistently slow. I have unchecked the Hardware Acceleration as suggested by a few but this made no difference; my graphic drivers all up to date, I used Firefox ver. 23. I updated it when I first noticed the problem though it persisted despite the update.

I have no viruses or threats on my PC.

When executing an Image Search via Google within Firefox it temporarily freezes or becomes persistently slow. I have unchecked the Hardware Acceleration as suggested by a few but this made no difference; my graphic drivers all up to date, I used Firefox ver. 23. I updated it when I first noticed the problem though it persisted despite the update. I have no viruses or threats on my PC.

Chosen solution

Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions (Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance).

To Enable SafeMode

  • You can open Firefox 4.0+ in Safe Mode by holding the Shift key when you open the Firefox desktop or Start menu shortcut.
  • Or open the Help menu and click on the Restart with Add-ons Disabled... menu item while Firefox is running.
  • Once you get the pop-up, just select "'Start in Safe Mode"

If it works in Safe Mode and in normal mode with all extensions (Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) disabled then try to find which extension is causing it by enabling one extension at a time until the problem reappears.

Close and restart Firefox after each change via "Firefox > Exit" (Windows: Firefox/File > Exit; Mac: "Firefox > Quit Firefox"; Linux: "Firefox/File > Quit")

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Chosen Solution

Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions (Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance).

To Enable SafeMode

  • You can open Firefox 4.0+ in Safe Mode by holding the Shift key when you open the Firefox desktop or Start menu shortcut.
  • Or open the Help menu and click on the Restart with Add-ons Disabled... menu item while Firefox is running.
  • Once you get the pop-up, just select "'Start in Safe Mode"

If it works in Safe Mode and in normal mode with all extensions (Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) disabled then try to find which extension is causing it by enabling one extension at a time until the problem reappears.

Close and restart Firefox after each change via "Firefox > Exit" (Windows: Firefox/File > Exit; Mac: "Firefox > Quit Firefox"; Linux: "Firefox/File > Quit")

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Your a genius, turned out it was the Ghostery add on, since then I have whitelisted all Google Searches from Ghostery.

Thank you very much indeed for your help :)