Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

Firfox opens 7 versions of itself or more!!!

  • 1 reply
  • 1 has this problem
  • 4 views
  • Last reply by cor-el

Peter Riva
Peter Riva
more options

When I check Task Manager, there are 7 or more Firefox programs running... the other day there were 15! So today I rebooted (Firefox causes crashes and lock-up all the time) and then opened Tack Manager and then ONLY one program (besides all the programs running in the background) and the image shows you what I got! Why the hell is Firefox opening all these program clones of itself? These are NOT onscreen, but they are always in Task Manager. NOTE: The only open window shows only one tab. Now, if I close Firefox all those lines disappear. But when I reopen it, the number goes up! every time. What the heck???? I've been a supporter, used Firefox for 10+ years but may have to go to the dreaded Chrome is this continues. I can't reboot my computer every day because of Firefox - sometimes twice.

When I check Task Manager, there are 7 or more Firefox programs running... the other day there were 15! So today I rebooted (Firefox causes crashes and lock-up all the time) and then opened Tack Manager and then ONLY one program (besides all the programs running in the background) and the image shows you what I got! Why the hell is Firefox opening all these program clones of itself? These are NOT onscreen, but they are always in Task Manager. NOTE: The only open window shows only one tab. Now, if I close Firefox all those lines disappear. But when I reopen it, the number goes up! every time. What the heck???? I've been a supporter, used Firefox for 10+ years but may have to go to the dreaded Chrome is this continues. I can't reboot my computer every day because of Firefox - sometimes twice.
Attached screenshots

All Replies (1)

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

That is about content processes that are used to isolate tabs.

It is quite normal to see more Firefox processes running.

  • process for the main Firefox thread (user interface)
  • one or more content processes, see:
    Options/Preferences -> General -> Performance
    remove checkmark: [ ] "Use recommended performance settings"
  • process for the compositor thread
  • process for extensions
  • process for WebRender when this feature is enabled

You can find the current multi-process state on the Troubleshooting Information page (about:support).

  • "Help -> Troubleshooting Information"
    "Application Basics": Multiprocess Windows
    "Remote Processes" further down

See also the about:memory page for information about the process IDs.