Firefox Won't Start - Claims it is Already Open
Firefox will not start. It claims to be already running, but that doesn't seem to be the case.
I have tried creating a new user profile but when I try to open Firefox now, the "choose user profile" menu pops up. I have tried the new profile and they old one, and both give the same error message. "Firefox cannot use the profile "Default User" because it is in use. To continue, close the running instance of Firefox or choose a different profile."
There is an entry for firefox.exe in the "details" menu of my task manager, and nowhere else. When I try to end that task, I get the following error: "the operation could not be completed - Access is denied."
Due to some troubleshooting research, I've tried deleting the parent.lock file from my profile folder, but I get this error- "the action can't be completed because the file is open in Firefox."
I tried transferring my bookmarks and preferences from Firefox to Chrome, but I got a similar error suggesting that Firefox was already open and I would have to close it first.
I have also turned off my computer and uninstalled and reinstalled Firefox multiple times.
I'd really rather not lose all of my Firefox bookmarks, add-ons, and preferences. I also prefer using Firefox to Chrome, so if anyone can help me out I'd really appreciate it. I don't know what else to try.
My PC runs Windows 10, by the way.
Vybrané riešenie
Try to remove the parent.lock file in the Firefox profile folder.
- C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<profile>\
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox
See:
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_in_use
- https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Firefox+is+already+running+but+is+not+responding
What security software do you have?
Try to create a new Firefox desktop shortcut and possibly reinstall Firefox via a clean reinstall (i.e. delete the Firefox program folder).
If you can't delete the Firefox program folder then try to rename this folder to "Mozilla Firefox.old".
- (64 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\"
- (32 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\"
Boot the computer in Windows Safe Mode with network support (press F8 on the boot screen) to see if that helps.
- http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/how-to-start-windows-in-safe-mode/
- http://www.7tutorials.com/4-ways-boot-safe-mode-windows-10
Všetky odpovede (9)
Do you have the Firefox icon on your quick launch? Right click on it, and select Open New Window. Sometimes this works. If it opens, close it by Menu > File > Exit.
This is not a cure but will make it easier if Firefox locks up in Windows. https://support.mozilla.org/questions/997866 {web link}
The above method did not work.
Did you try the link I posted?
Sometimes when FF is closing, not all of it shuts down properly. On Windows, start the Task Manager. (Other systems may have different names and / or commands). Select Processes. Look down the list for Firefox. Right click and select End Task.
Once you have closed Firefox,
Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web Link} by holding down the <Shift>
(Mac Options) key, and then starting Firefox.
While still in Safe Mode,
Type about:support in the address bar and press Enter. Under the main banner, press the button; Copy Text To Clipboard.. Then in the reply box at the bottom of this page, do a right click in the box and select Paste. This will show us your system details. No Personal Information Is Collected.
After the above, close Firefox. Any problem?
Vybrané riešenie
Try to remove the parent.lock file in the Firefox profile folder.
- C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<profile>\
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox
See:
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_in_use
- https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Firefox+is+already+running+but+is+not+responding
What security software do you have?
Try to create a new Firefox desktop shortcut and possibly reinstall Firefox via a clean reinstall (i.e. delete the Firefox program folder).
If you can't delete the Firefox program folder then try to rename this folder to "Mozilla Firefox.old".
- (64 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\"
- (32 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\"
Boot the computer in Windows Safe Mode with network support (press F8 on the boot screen) to see if that helps.
FredMcD said
Did you try the link I posted?
Sometimes when FF is closing, not all of it shuts down properly. On Windows, start the Task Manager. (Other systems may have different names and / or commands). Select Processes. Look down the list for Firefox. Right click and select End Task.
I did try the link that you posted, and it did not work. FF is not listed in the "Processes" tab in Task manager, as I mentioned it is only listed on the "Details" tab.
FredMcD said
Once you have closed Firefox, Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web Link} by holding down the <Shift>
(Mac Options) key, and then starting Firefox. While still in Safe Mode, Type about:support in the address bar and press Enter. Under the main banner, press the button; Copy Text To Clipboard.. Then in the reply box at the bottom of this page, do a right click in the box and select Paste. This will show us your system details. No Personal Information Is Collected.
After the above, close Firefox. Any problem?
FF will not start in safe mode, because it will not start.
cor-el said
Try to remove the parent.lock file in the Firefox profile folder.See:
- C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<profile>\
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox
What security software do you have?
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_in_use
- https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Firefox+is+already+running+but+is+not+responding
Try to create a new Firefox desktop shortcut and possibly reinstall Firefox via a clean reinstall (i.e. delete the Firefox program folder).
If you can't delete the Firefox program folder then try to rename this folder to "Mozilla Firefox.old".
- (64 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\"
- (32 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\"
Boot the computer in Windows Safe Mode with network support (press F8 on the boot screen) to see if that helps.
I've tried a clean install, but I cannot delete the FF program folder, even if I change it to "Mozilla Firefox.old." I'll try booting in safe mode and get back to you.
And we're up and running again. Booted in safe mode and was able to delete the FF folder. Once I restarted, I did a new install of FF and everything is working fine. Thank you for your help.
Hello,
I am glad to hear that your problem has been resolved. If you haven't already, please select the answer that solves the problem. This will help other users with similar problems find the solution more easily.
Thank you for contacting Mozilla Support.
jimmyjkjr said
cor-el said<snip> reinstall Firefox via a clean reinstall (i.e. delete the Firefox program folder). If you can't delete the Firefox program folder then try to rename this folder to "Mozilla Firefox.old".Boot the computer in Windows Safe Mode with network support (press F8 on the boot screen) to see if that helps.
- (64 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\"
- (32 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\"
I've tried a clean install, but I cannot delete the FF program folder, even if I change it to "Mozilla Firefox.old." I'll try booting in safe mode and get back to you.
jimmyjkjr said
And we're up and running again. Booted in safe mode and was able to delete the FF folder. Once I restarted, I did a new install of FF and everything is working fine. Thank you for your help.
Thanks for posting the outcome. I'll mark cor-el's answer as the solution.