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First firefox tab doesn't work

  • 5 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 33 views
  • Last reply by bkaufx

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When I first open Firefox, the first tab that opens will not load a web page. If I open Firefox, type in a URL and press enter, nothing happens. I have to open up a new tab, enter the URL again, and then press enter to load the web page.

When I first open Firefox, the first tab that opens will not load a web page. If I open Firefox, type in a URL and press enter, nothing happens. I have to open up a new tab, enter the URL again, and then press enter to load the web page.

All Replies (5)

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I should mention that this problem is somewhat hit and miss. The most common web page I try to open up first is my locally hosted Home Assistant instance. That web page never loads up on the first tab ever. Another page I commonly have trouble with is Google maps. Sometimes pages will load up on the first tab.

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Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions ("3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Add-ons -> Extensions) or if hardware acceleration or userChrome.css is causing the problem.

  • switch to the DEFAULT theme: "3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Add-ons -> Themes
  • do NOT click the "Refresh Firefox" button on the Safe Mode start window

You can try these steps in case of issues with web pages:

You can reload web page(s) and bypass the cache to refresh possibly outdated or corrupted files.

  • hold down the Shift key and left-click the Reload button
  • press "Ctrl + F5" or press "Ctrl + Shift + R" (Windows,Linux)
  • press "Command + Shift + R" (Mac)

Clear the Cache and remove the Cookies for websites that cause problems via the "3-bar" Firefox menu button (Options/Preferences).

"Remove the Cookies" for websites that cause problems:

  • Options/Preferences -> Privacy & Security
    Cookies and Site Data: "Manage Data"

"Clear the Cache":

  • Options/Preferences -> Privacy & Security
    Cookies and Site Data -> Clear Data -> Cached Web Content: Clear

If you use extensions ("3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Add-ons -> Extensions) that can block content (Adblock Plus, NoScript, Disconnect, Ghostery, Privacy Badger, uBlock Origin) always make sure such extensions do not block content.

Firefox shows a purple shield instead of a gray shield at the left end of the location/address bar in case Enhanced Tracking Protection is blocking content. You can click shield icon for more detail and possibly disable the protection. You can check the Web Console for messages about blocked content.

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Seems to work fine in safe mode. However, I wasn't able to get it working outside of safe mode by disabling extensions, disabling hardware acceleration, or any of the other tips. So I just did a reset of the browser and it seems to be working outside of safe mode now.

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Actually, the problem is already occurring again after I reset the browser.

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When I try to open a page that doesn't work, the network tab under web developer says Blocked under the Transferred column.