Why is FF 53.0.2, slow to respond to mouse & keyboard, seems to disconnect and reconnect every 15-30 seconds, crashes?
Using Windows 10 (updated), with 53.0.2 FF has delayed typing into all browser windows, delayed responses to mouse clicks, and seems after being open for an hour or so to start disconnecting and reconnecting to the Internet. I get brief "not responding" to every click and often have to click repetitively to perform any act. FF crashes, but leaves not crash report. I have progressively cleared the cache, turned off hardware acceleration (which seemed to help modestly), and done a complete refresh of FF. But the problems persist and the browser is close to unusable. It becomes worse the longer it is open. Any ideas?
All Replies (6)
It could be the computer's CPU is being overworked.
Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web link} by holding down the <Shift> (Mac=Options) key, and then starting Firefox.
A small dialog should appear. Click Start In Safe Mode (not Refresh). Is the problem still there?
Thank you for your suggestion, but it did not remedy any of the problems I identified in question. For example, typing is still delayed as is the mouse function. A site such as cnn.com will not automatically reload and refresh itself as it is supposed to and freezes with a "script not working" error message constantly. I cannot scroll more than a few lines without losing contact with the screen and having to reestablish it.
Is the problem with one website, several, most?
Many site issues can be caused by corrupt cookies or cache.
- Clear the Cache and
- Remove Cookies
Warning ! ! This will log you out of sites you're logged in to. You may also lose any settings for that website.
Type about:preferences<enter> in the address bar.
- Cookies; Select Privacy. Under History, select
Firefox will Use Custom Settings. Press the button on the right side called Show Cookies. Use the search bar to look for the site. Note; There may be more than one entry. Remove All of them.
- Cache; Select Advanced > Network. Across from
Cached Web Content, Press Clear Now.
If there is still a problem, Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web link} A small dialog should appear. Click Start In Safe Mode (not Refresh). While you are in safe mode;
Type about:preferences#advanced<enter> in the address bar.
Under Advanced, Select General. Look for and turn off Use Hardware Acceleration.
Then restart. Poke around safe websites. Are there any problems?
I updated to 53.0.3 and so far no difference. As I noted in first post, I had already cleared the cache and turned off hardware acceleration. I went in and deleted all cookies, which I had not done for a while. But that has had no effect. Microsoft Edge runs smoothly without the typing and mouse delays.
I'm surprised more are not having similar problems with these versions of Firefox. I've used it for years and can remember only one other time when it has nearly completely broken down as it has with this one for me. I've switched over to Microsoft Edge, which isn't as good a browser generally as FF, but at least usable at this point. Will try again with the next release, but 53.0.3 is impossible with its delays and freezes.
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/install-older-version-of-firefox?cache=no Be sure to read everything here.
If you still want to downgrade, look under; I still want to downgrade. Click the Directory of other versions and languages link. Look for the directory of the version that you want. But, remember that old versions may have security issues.
You should also check out Firefox; Extended Support Release https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/organizations/
https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/organizations/notes/
https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/organizations/system-requirements/