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Using 59.0.1, why does the existing Firefox window stop responding after a new private window is created?

  • 3 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 4 views
  • Last reply by kunstpdx

kunstpdx
kunstpdx
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On only one of my Windows 10 computers, whenever I created a new private window, the existing Firefox window "freezes"; it can't be used again until the private window is closed. It appears as though there is some kind of lock placed on the existing window. However, when I first (and only the first time) use the private window, if I click on a bookmark link in the bookmark bar, the associated website will display not in the private window but instead in the existing window, and the existing window is unlocked. But if instead I click in the URL field of the private window and type in the URL, then the website appears in the private window. Once I have typed into the URL field of the private window, then clicking on bookmark links in the bookmark bar in the private window work fine. (But the existing window remains locked.) This occurs in 59.0.1, but was occurring in previous versions as well. I have tried uninstalling Firefox and creating a new profile, but this doesn't help. However, I observe this behavior on one computer only. The other computers are running 59.0.1 as well, and they do not exhibit this behavior.

On only one of my Windows 10 computers, whenever I created a new private window, the existing Firefox window "freezes"; it can't be used again until the private window is closed. It appears as though there is some kind of lock placed on the existing window. However, when I first (and only the first time) use the private window, if I click on a bookmark link in the bookmark bar, the associated website will display not in the private window but instead in the existing window, and the existing window is unlocked. But if instead I click in the URL field of the private window and type in the URL, then the website appears in the private window. Once I have typed into the URL field of the private window, then clicking on bookmark links in the bookmark bar in the private window work fine. (But the existing window remains locked.) This occurs in 59.0.1, but was occurring in previous versions as well. I have tried uninstalling Firefox and creating a new profile, but this doesn't help. However, I observe this behavior on one computer only. The other computers are running 59.0.1 as well, and they do not exhibit this behavior.

All Replies (3)

WestEnd
WestEnd
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Unless you open links in the same Browser they don't cross populate to another open Browser. I never had where a standard browser locks when you open a private browser. I think something is going on here and isn't related to browser

Shadow110
Shadow110
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Hi, note there appears to be an issue that only affects users who have turned off Cleartype Font rendering within their Windows Settings. So a workaround for the moment would either be to turn Cleartype back on or disabling hardware acceleration in Firefox: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/performance-settings

Please see if the above works, if not please do below in Private and report.

SAFE MODE

In Firefox Safe mode these changes are effective:

  • all extensions are disabled (about:addons)
  • default theme is used (no persona)
  • userChrome.css and userContent.css are ignored (chrome folder)
  • default toolbar layout is used (file: localstore-safe.rdf)
  • Javascript JIT compilers are disabled (prefs: javascript.options.*jit)
  • hardware acceleration is disabled (Options > Advanced > General)
  • plugins are not affected
  • preferences are not affected

TEST''''is issue still there ?

kunstpdx
kunstpdx Question owner
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Turning off hardware acceleration does not fix the problem. Running in safe mode does not fix the problem. Disabling the extensions does not fix the problem. However, if I refresh Firefox, start Firefox, and open a Private window, then both the regular window and the Private window work correctly. BUT when I then stop both windows, and then restart Firefox and open a Private window, the problem recurs again. Only one of the windows works, and the working one must be stopped before the other window can be used.