Join the AMA (Ask Me Anything) with the Firefox leadership team to celebrate Firefox 20th anniversary and discuss Firefox’s future on Mozilla Connect. Mark your calendar on Thursday, November 14, 18:00 - 20:00 UTC!

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Firefox won't force quit. I have tried hard and soft restarts, but the Firefox app stops the computer from carrying out command as Firefox won't close.

  • 7 replies
  • 8 have this problem
  • 7 views
  • Last reply by guigs

more options

Using a Macbook Pro with Yosemite OS X. Firefox app won't 'force quit'. I have tried hard and soft restarts, but the Firefox app stops the computer from carrying out command as Firefox won't close. I can't update the Firefox software as the current Firefox app is still open, or delete the app, for the same reason. Cannot use Firefox in Safe Mode (a route to a possible solution in other threads) because I can't access the Firefox menu. Also, can't update Mac software, as it requires a restart, and the technically open Firefox app will prevent this. Help?

Using a Macbook Pro with Yosemite OS X. Firefox app won't 'force quit'. I have tried hard and soft restarts, but the Firefox app stops the computer from carrying out command as Firefox won't close. I can't update the Firefox software as the current Firefox app is still open, or delete the app, for the same reason. Cannot use Firefox in Safe Mode (a route to a possible solution in other threads) because I can't access the Firefox menu. Also, can't update Mac software, as it requires a restart, and the technically open Firefox app will prevent this. Help?

All Replies (7)

more options

Can you confirm that you've tried selecting "Force Quit…" from the Apple menu. You can also access Force Quit by holding Option+Command+Escape. You might have to switch to another application to access the Apple menu.

more options

Yes, tried 'Force Quit' via Apple Menu and option+command+escape. By the way, the Activity Monitor does not show Firefox as running, although the 'Force Quit' menu shows it is. Used the Terminal Command 'top' as a means of finding and closing it, but again it is not in the list of programs running.

more options

I notice that the Firefox app was modified last night (which I assume might be an automatic update, as I didn't do this manually). Could this be a factor? Has anyone else had issues with latest Firefox updates?

more options

I also have this problem. About half the time when I try to shut down the system just hangs because the system sees Firefox as open.

If I go right to the program in the App folder and double click on FireFox it tells me: The Application "Firefox.app" is not open anymore.

If I install a new copy of FIrefox, it will run normally but the original Firefox is still on the doc as open and I cannot shut down. BTW, I've been migrating to Chrome because of this problem.

Modified by MRNTK

more options

http://www.clamxav.com/ free malware scanner for Mac OS X https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3291


I've called the big guys to help you. Good luck.

more options

Thanks.

I checked the open "Firefox" files and there are only two. Firefox.app and: /Users/.../Library/Preferences/org.mozilla.firefox.plist by: cfprefsd

relaunching the Finder closes Firefox.app, but does not free up the program to be run or remove the open indicator from the dock.

more options

Instead of moving it from the doc, in the Finder menu can you delete these files: trash the "Firefox" folder, located here: ~Library/Application Support/Firefox ?