A possible cause is security software (firewall) that blocks or restricts Firefox or the plugin-container process without informing you, possibly after detecting changes (update) to the Firefox program.

Remove all rules for Firefox from the permissions list in the firewall and let your firewall ask again for permission to get full unrestricted access to internet for Firefox and the plugin-container process and the updater process.

See:

• https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Server+not+found

I checked my firewall and firefox has full access to the internet and it still doesn't work.

Start Firefox in Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode to check if one of the extensions is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox (Tools) > Add-ons > Appearance/Themes).

• Don't make any changes on the Safe mode start window.
• https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Safe+Mode

• https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Troubleshooting+extensions+and+themes

that still didn't work. when i open up firefox in safe mode nothing shows up. it is still a white screen. i tried resetting my preferences but once again all i get is a white screen.

Create a new profile as a test to check if your current profile is causing the problems.

See Basic Troubleshooting: Make a new profile:

• https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Basic+Troubleshooting#w_8-make-a-new-profile

If that new profile works then you can transfer some files from the old profile to that new profile (be careful not to copy corrupted files)

See:

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Transferring_data_to_a_new_profile_-_Firefox

i did that and it still doesn't work