Could you try temporarily disabling sites from using Flash without your approval?

You can start Firefox up to a blank page using "Run" which should be available on the program screen with the small icons when you flick up on the start page. You also might be able to use the search box on the charms bar for this. Type or paste the following then press Enter.

firefox.exe "about:blank"

I assume you can open a blank page? Next, open the Add-ons page using either:

• Ctrl+Shift+a
• "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons

In the left column, click Plugins. Then on the right, find Shockwave Flash and change the permission from "Always Activate" to "Ask to Activate".

Does that have any effect on whether you can open other pages?

Another test you might try is starting Firefox up in its Safe Mode. That's a standard diagnostic tool to deactivate extensions, some advanced features, and some custom settings. More info: Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode.

If Firefox is NOT running: Hold down the shift key when double-clicking the Firefox program icon.

If Firefox IS running: You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using either

• "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
• (menu bar) Help menu > Restart with Add-ons Disabled

Note: Flash and other plugins still run

Then approve Firefox shutting down and starting up in Safe Mode.

Either method: A small dialog should appear: click "Start in Safe Mode" (not Reset)

Any difference?

jscher2000 - Unfortunately as I stated, I've tried safe mode to no avail. I did try setting Flash to "Ask to activate":

-closed and restarted firefox -Typed "Test" into google search bar - It loads the search results for approx 1 seconds before hanging.

Keep in mind this is a fresh install, and a reset of firefox to factory. No extensions or anything. I don't understand, I've used firefox on this PC for a long time and out of the blue I can't get it to work now.

Thanks for more help and suggestions!

Hi onceuponaderek, when you say Firefox hangs, does Windows display "Not Responding" in the title bar, or what other symptoms do you encounter? Do you get unusual disk or CPU activity during this time or does Firefox seem to be doing nothing?

Can you recall anything special happening before this problem started, such as:

• An update to Windows, or other system software or drivers?
• An update to your security software?
• Changes to your network connection, including any proxy or private VPN you might use?

Yes, by "hangs" I mean that it displays not responding, and the only option is to end task. I seem to be fine at the Firefox start page but as soon as I visit a page of any kind it hangs.

The closest thing I can think of that happened around that time is a HDD (internal) that failed. But not my SSD that has Firefox installed. Either way I thought a fresh install after removing all traces would've meant there wasn't some dependency that Firefox had to the failed drive.

Hello. I seem to have resolved my issue for now. I had a few episodes of it stuttering, but no freezes after 30 mins of browsing.

I believe it was my suite of Stardock (customization) apps interfering with Firefox. Thank you so much for all the help, I think that was the culprit for me.

I also have this problem with freezing, crashes, won't let me print my coupons... I have reset and reset and no good. I have windows xp 7 and I want my firefox back ,,,help!!!

Hi msgins, are you getting the Mozilla Crash Reporter dialog, or are you having to kill/force quit Firefox so you don't get that dialog?

If you get the Crash Reporter dialog, you can provide the volunteers here with your recent crash report IDs for specific comments. The last section of this article describes how to retrieve those IDs: Troubleshoot Firefox crashes (closing or quitting unexpectedly).

Since this thread is already marked solved, you should start a new question so that people notice you need help. You can use this link:

https://support.mozilla.org/questions/new/desktop/fix-problems

Scroll down past the suggested articles to continue with the form to submit your question.

If you don't have crash IDs, could you try Firefox's Safe Mode and report on whether that makes any difference (in your new question). More info on Safe Mode in this article: Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode.

_{Solved thread closed by moderator. aw Ref: Mozilla Support rules and guidelines and Forum moderation guidelines.}