(Unless you are trying to run Firefox in a sandbox possibly with Avast or Sandboxie software) That sounds like a necessary file is missing or corrupt and you will need to do a clean reinstall of Firefox. Note that involves deleting the program files of Firefox, but be careful do not accidentally delete the profile folder and files. For reassurance it may even be worth backing up the profile first of all and saving it somewhere safe outside Firefox program or profile paths, (For example put it on the Desktop or in My documents). * [[Back up and restore information in Firefox profiles]] * [[Firefox keeps crashing at startup#w_try-a-clean-install]]'''_try-a-clean-install''' * http://kb.mozillazine.org/Browser_will_not_start_up#.22Couldn.27t_load_XPCOM.22_error ----------- 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. #Download the latest Desktop version of Firefox from [https://www.mozilla.org mozilla.org] (or choose the download for your operating system and language from [https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/ this page]) and save the setup file to your computer. #After the download finishes, close all Firefox windows (or open the Firefox menu [[Image:New Fx Menu]] and click the close button [[Image:Close 29]]). #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 [[Installing Firefox on Linux]]. If you downloaded and installed the binary package from the [http://www.mozilla.org/firefox#desktop Firefox download page], simply remove the folder ''firefox'' in your home directory. #Now, go ahead and reinstall Firefox: ##Double-click the downloaded installation file and go through the steps of the installation wizard. ##Once the wizard is finished, choose to directly open Firefox after clicking the Finish button. More information about reinstalling Firefox can be found [[Troubleshoot and diagnose Firefox problems#w_5-reinstall-firefox|here]]. <b>WARNING:</b> Do not use a third party uninstaller as part of this process. Doing so could permanently delete your [[Profiles|Firefox profile]] data, including but not limited to, extensions, cache, cookies, bookmarks, personal settings and saved passwords. <u>These cannot be easily recovered unless they have been backed up to an external device!</u> See [[Back up and restore information in Firefox profiles]]. <!-- Starting in Firefox 31, the Firefox uninstaller no longer lets you remove user profile data.Ref: Bug 432017 and https://support.mozilla.org/kb/uninstall-firefox-from-your-computer/discuss/5279 [Fx31] Windows uninstaller will no longer offer the option to remove personal data --> (edit - minor typos)