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Despite numerous reboots Firefox would not open for 3 days because apparently it was occupied, how can I see what it is occupied with and how to close it ?

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I opened my online banking site but could not sign in or sign out hence I closed the website and closed Firefox. For 3 days I could not open Firefox nor Explorer. During the 3 days I rebooted several times. On the forth day when I opened Firefox a screen opened saying Firefox was embarrassed etc. etc.. and that I could restore my online banking site which I did. I was able to sign in and sign out of the account and close the website. My question is when Firefox locks up like this, how can I see if a site is open in Firefox if I can't open Firefox?

I am using Windows 7

I opened my online banking site but could not sign in or sign out hence I closed the website and closed Firefox. For 3 days I could not open Firefox nor Explorer. During the 3 days I rebooted several times. On the forth day when I opened Firefox a screen opened saying Firefox was embarrassed etc. etc.. and that I could restore my online banking site which I did. I was able to sign in and sign out of the account and close the website. My question is when Firefox locks up like this, how can I see if a site is open in Firefox if I can't open Firefox? I am using Windows 7

Chosen solution

Clear the cache and the cookies from sites that cause problems.

"Clear the Cache":

  • Tools > Options > Advanced > Network > Cached Web Content: "Clear Now"

"Remove Cookies" from sites causing problems:

  • Tools > Options > Privacy > Cookies: "Show Cookies"

If clearing cookies doesn't work then it is possible that the cookies.sqlite file that stores the cookies is corrupted.

Rename (or delete) cookies.sqlite (cookies.sqlite.old) and delete other present cookie files like cookies.sqlite-journal in the Firefox Profile Folder in case the file cookies.sqlite got corrupted.


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).

  • Do NOT click the Reset button on the Safe mode start window or otherwise make changes.
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The 'Embarrassed' screen comes up when Firefox has not closed down correctly and is trying to restore the situation. This will not always succeed, and you may have to do a normal restart.

You should always try to close Firefox by using

  • Firefox Button -> Exit (Windows 7)
  • File -> Quit (on XP and other systems)

Where possible try to avoid closing by: killing the process, closing the window, or turning off the computer whilst Firefox is running.

If you are unable to sign in to a website sometimes it may be a Firefox problem, other times it may be an internet problem, or the site itself.

I do not know why you could not open firefox for 3 days, presumably a problem with your computer. Note even if there is no internet Firefox itself should still open when required.

If Windows Explorer is not running/working there was probably not much you could easily do with the computer. Or was your problem with Internet Explorer (The default Windows Browser) again possibly a symptom of a bigger problem.

Modified by John99

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Chosen Solution

Clear the cache and the cookies from sites that cause problems.

"Clear the Cache":

  • Tools > Options > Advanced > Network > Cached Web Content: "Clear Now"

"Remove Cookies" from sites causing problems:

  • Tools > Options > Privacy > Cookies: "Show Cookies"

If clearing cookies doesn't work then it is possible that the cookies.sqlite file that stores the cookies is corrupted.

Rename (or delete) cookies.sqlite (cookies.sqlite.old) and delete other present cookie files like cookies.sqlite-journal in the Firefox Profile Folder in case the file cookies.sqlite got corrupted.


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).

  • Do NOT click the Reset button on the Safe mode start window or otherwise make changes.