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My Firefox tabs won't close. They become deactivated, but the tab stays visible.

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  • 5 have this problem
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  • Last reply by JBStahl

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I'm running Firefox 6.0.2 with multiple groups and tabs active (45 tabs in 7 groups). Makes by research life much easier. In the last couple of days, when I close a tab (either by using the "x" or by right-pick menu), the tab becomes deactivated, but won't disappear. I have to close FF (save tabs), reopen, and the formerly closed tabs will reappear as active. Usually, I can close them and they disappear. Any new tab created and closed during the new session repeat the same problem.

I'm running Firefox 6.0.2 with multiple groups and tabs active (45 tabs in 7 groups). Makes by research life much easier. In the last couple of days, when I close a tab (either by using the "x" or by right-pick menu), the tab becomes deactivated, but won't disappear. I have to close FF (save tabs), reopen, and the formerly closed tabs will reappear as active. Usually, I can close them and they disappear. Any new tab created and closed during the new session repeat the same problem.

Chosen solution

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).


It is possible that there is a problem with the files sessionstore.js and sessionstore.bak in the Firefox Profile Folder.

Delete the files sessionstore.js [2] and sessionstore.bak in the Firefox Profile Folder.

If you see files sessionstore-##.js with a number in the left part of the name like sessionstore-1.js then delete those as well.
Deleting sessionstore.js will cause App Tabs and Tab Groups and open and closed (undo) tabs to get lost, so you will have to create them again (make a note or bookmark them).

See also:

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Chosen Solution

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).


It is possible that there is a problem with the files sessionstore.js and sessionstore.bak in the Firefox Profile Folder.

Delete the files sessionstore.js [2] and sessionstore.bak in the Firefox Profile Folder.

If you see files sessionstore-##.js with a number in the left part of the name like sessionstore-1.js then delete those as well.
Deleting sessionstore.js will cause App Tabs and Tab Groups and open and closed (undo) tabs to get lost, so you will have to create them again (make a note or bookmark them).

See also:

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Finally got time to troubleshoot the problem. I put it off as long as I could, thinking that it would result in a loss of all my tab groups...

The safe mode troubleshooting was easy to follow and had great step-by-step instructions. Started in safe mode; problem was gone. Could open and close tabs just fine. Opened in regular mode; problem returned. Tried to disable the hardware acceleration; problem persisted. Restarted with hardware acceleration on, then set to default theme, restarted; problem resolved!!

Running now in normal mode; no problems. Might just stick with default theme for a while. Troubleshooting only took 10 minutes or less. Best part is I didn't loose any tabs or tab groups!!! Thanks!