Firefox crashes
Firefox problem started a few days ago with an update for Firefox. After loading it I have had the problem of not being able to use it as it would search and it says loading, which goes on and on never finding anything. After exiting Firefox and returning to it an error saying; “The old Firefox process must be closed to open a new window”. Clicked, ’Close’, and went to try loading it again and it comes up with the error; ”Your Firefox profile cannot be loaded It may be missing or inaccessible.” Tried to have it stop using, Task Manager, but it didn’t work so I used Revo, this worked. Have used Google Chrome and have downloaded Firefox 36.01 again, when it starts and I try to search, by using my bookmarks, or write in an address for the site, it just will not find anything. And I have done this a few times with the same results, by running and running even after I exit it, it’s running in the back ground. I have tried it in Safe Mode and it worked the first time, with no problems, after exiting Firefox returning to start Firefox, it has the same problem and it will not search. This has also happened when starting Windows it will work for the first time, but the tab is showing a search is running and not finding anything when I close it, Firefox closes and does not restart. It is running in the back ground.
All Replies (13)
If you have trouble with the upgrade, use this link; http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all/
It is possible that your security software (firewall, anti-virus) 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 and the plugin-container from the permissions list in the firewall and let your firewall ask again for permission to get full, unrestricted, access to install for Firefox and the plugin-container process and the updater process.
See:
Boot the computer in Windows Safe Mode with network support (press F8 on the boot screen) as a test.
See also:
Firefox works in Safe Mode, but in Regular Mode it locks up and can not be turned off with Task Manager have tried all the above but it I still have the same problem.
Gije said
Firefox works in Safe Mode
Type about:addons<enter> in the address bar to open your Add-ons Manager. Hot key; <Control>(Mac:<Command>)<Shift> A)
In the Add-ons Manager, on the left, select Extensions. Disable a few add-ons, then Restart Firefox.
Some added toolbar and anti-virus add-ons are known to cause Firefox issues. Disable All of them.
If the problem continues, disable some more (restarting FF). Continue until the problem is gone. After, you know what group is causing the issue. Re-enable the last group ONE AT A TIME (restarting FF) until the problem returns.
Once you think you found the problem, disable that and re-enable all the others, then restart again. Let us know who the suspect is detective.
You can try to disable hardware acceleration in Firefox.
- Tools > Options > Advanced > General > Browsing: "Use hardware acceleration when available"
You need to close and restart Firefox after toggling this setting.
Have Disabled all extensions, removed Hardware Accelerator and I still get in regular mode;After exiting Firefox and returning to it an error saying; “The old Firefox process must be closed to open a new window”. Clicked, ’Close’, and went to try loading it again and it comes up with the error; ”Your Firefox profile cannot be loaded It may be missing or inaccessible.” I cannot close Firefox in regular mode. Must close Windows to force closure. Again may I say ,"Firefox works in Safe Mode"
Gije said
Firefox problem started a few days ago with an update for Firefox. After loading it I have had the problem of not being able to use it as it would search and it says loading, which goes on and on never finding anything. After exiting Firefox and returning to it an error saying; “The old Firefox process must be closed to open a new window”. Clicked, ’Close’, and went to try loading it again and it comes up with the error; ”Your Firefox profile cannot be loaded It may be missing or inaccessible.” Tried to have it stop using, Task Manager, but it didn’t work so I used Revo, this worked. Have used Google Chrome and have downloaded Firefox 36.01 again, when it starts and I try to search, by using my bookmarks, or write in an address for the site, it just will not find anything. And I have done this a few times with the same results, by running and running even after I exit it, it’s running in the back ground. I have tried it in Safe Mode and it worked the first time, with no problems, after exiting Firefox returning to start Firefox, it has the same problem and it will not search. This has also happened when starting Windows it will work for the first time, but the tab is showing a search is running and not finding anything when I close it, Firefox closes and does not restart. It is running in the back ground.
Start your Computer in safe mode with networking. Then start Firefox. Try Safe web sites.
Firefox problem started on March 6th with an update for Firefox, after loading it I have had the problem of not being able to use Firefox it would search and it says loading, which goes on and on never finding anything. I restored my system to March the 3rd and the problem persisted. After exiting Firefox and returning to it an error saying; “The old Firefox process must be closed to open a new window”. Clicked, ’Close’, and went to try loading it again and it comes up with the error. ”Your Firefox profile cannot be loaded It may be missing or inaccessible.” Tried to have it stop, using Task Manager, but it didn’t work. But Task Manager works on all other programs that are running. Tried to remove Firefox with Windows 7 uninstall program it wouldn’t remove it. Using a program called Revo I was able to remove Firefox. Have used Google Chrome and have downloaded Firefox 36.01 again, when it starts and I try to search, by using my bookmarks, or write in an address for the site, it just will not find anything. And I have done this a few times with the same results. After closing Windows 7 and restarting, Firefox is not in Task Manager and has closed. I then Start Firefox and I have the same problem. Yes, it runs in Safe Mode with no problems. Now I want to thank all the people that have used their valuable time to help fix this problem. With their advice I have removed from Firefox, all the add-ons, hardware acceleration, Java Program, Adobe Flash, and I have removed Firefox from my Fire Wall and removed my Anti Virus program. I still have the problem.
Gije said
Yes, it runs in Safe Mode with no problems.
Then it is likely one of your other programs is causing the issue. First, open the settings of ALL of your protection programs, and tell them to leave the browsers alone.
I was having this same exact problem for the last week. It started happening after Firefox updated. I tried a few different things that didn't help. I tried uninstalling and reinstalling which didn't help either. I finally fixed the problem tonight.
Here are the steps I took to fix it. Make sure you are logged into sync and hit the sync button to update it. This will save your bookmarks and user settings.
If you want to be able to restore your current session go into your main drive and click users, your user name, AppData, Roaming, Mozilla, Firefox, Profiles, open that folder and copy sessionstore-backups and save it to your desktop or somewhere you can remember.
After you have done that uninstall Firefox. Now restart your computer into Safe Mode.
Go into your main drive usually C on most computers and click users, your user name, AppData, Roaming. Click the Mozilla folder and delete it. Now hit the back button and click on Local. Find the Mozilla folder in there and delete it too.
You can now restart your computer and install a fresh copy of Firefox. Once it is installed you can log into sync and it will restore all your settings and bookmarks.
If you want to restore your previous session close Firefox and make your way back to AppData, Roaming, Mozilla, Firefox, Profiles, open the new profiles folder (Example: abcd1234.default) and paste the folder you saved called sessionstore-backups in there.
You can now open Firefox and all your tabs will be there, and after a few mins all your settings and bookmarks will be restored by sync. You shouldn't have any more problems following this method. The pages no longer stop loading and it closes like it is supposed to.
Dear Dedj1234,
Thank you for your answer to my problem, did what you said, but I still am having the same problem.
"Firefox is already running, but is not responding. The old Firefox process must be closed to open a new window."
"Your Firefox profile cannot be loaded. It may be missing or inaccessible."
And Task Manger can not remove it.
Gije
See:
This is usually caused by a problem with the profiles.ini file and the profile marked as Default=1 in this file is no longer present on the hard drive.
- Windows: %AppData%\Mozilla\Firefox\
C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<profile>\ - Linux: ~/.mozilla/firefox/
- Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/Firefox/
You can use one of these to make Firefox create a new default profile or reuse an existing profile:
- Delete the profiles.ini file to force Firefox to create a new default profile
- Use the Profile Manager to create a new profile
Use "Choose Folder" when you create a new profile to select the location of a lost profile and recover this profile
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_Manager
- https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Managing+profiles
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox
Boot the computer in Windows Safe Mode with network support (press F8 on the boot screen) as a test.