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When computer is idle after 1 min 30 sec Firefox do something in background that slow other programs?

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I noticed when I'm playing games with gamepad and watching replays (not touching keyboard or mouse), Firefox is doing something in the background exactly after 1 min 30 sec causing the game framerate to drop significantly and fan spinning a lot faster. But if I move the mouse or press anything on keyboard, it runs fine again. I confirmed this is not power plan issue nor gamepad issue (it happens without gamepad too) nor game issue. When I close Firefox it doesn't happen, so it's likely that Firefox is doing something when it detects the computer idling (like vacuuming database?), but I don't want to close Firefox or suspend it when doing light games. I want to know if there something in the about:config that I can edit to fix this.

I noticed when I'm playing games with gamepad and watching replays (not touching keyboard or mouse), Firefox is doing something in the background exactly after 1 min 30 sec causing the game framerate to drop significantly and fan spinning a lot faster. But if I move the mouse or press anything on keyboard, it runs fine again. I confirmed this is not power plan issue nor gamepad issue (it happens without gamepad too) nor game issue. When I close Firefox it doesn't happen, so it's likely that Firefox is doing something when it detects the computer idling (like vacuuming database?), but I don't want to close Firefox or suspend it when doing light games. I want to know if there something in the about:config that I can edit to fix this.

Réiteach roghnaithe

Update. Apparently it's NOT Firefox, I closed it up and it still happens.

Found the culprit is actually bitcoin miner virus, that explains why the fan runs full throttle since it utilizes gpu when it's supposedly idle (no mouse/keyboard input). The virus disappear once you move your mouse/use keyboard making it hard to find it manually.

Can you please delete or close this question? thank you.

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If you are referring to 1 min 30 sec after Firefox is launched for the first time each day, that is probably the update check for Firefox and for Add-ons.

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the-edmeister said

If you are referring to 1 min 30 sec after Firefox is launched for the first time each day, that is probably the update check for Firefox and for Add-ons.

No, I usually keep Firefox running for a day or two (my computer runs pretty much 24/7 with some sleeps inbetween), then restarting Firefox after a while to 'release' the memory. I do set auto search engine update though. It happens when Firefox is open in the background and I'm playing games that doesn't involve using keyboard/mouse for a period of time, or just let my computer idle. It's been like this only recently like the last one month. probably since Firefox 54 or 55. I first thought it was graphics driver problem or my computer just need cleaning, one clean computer later it's still going until I figured out it doesn't happen when Firefox is closed. I can reproduce it every time.

I'll try disabling hw acceleration and see if it does something. edit: nope it didn't

Athraithe ag rizkiyoist ar

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Réiteach Roghnaithe

Update. Apparently it's NOT Firefox, I closed it up and it still happens.

Found the culprit is actually bitcoin miner virus, that explains why the fan runs full throttle since it utilizes gpu when it's supposedly idle (no mouse/keyboard input). The virus disappear once you move your mouse/use keyboard making it hard to find it manually.

Can you please delete or close this question? thank you.

Athraithe ag rizkiyoist ar