Firefox already running, profile missing or inaccessible, cannot kill in task manager

For reference, this is on windows 8
In the past I've (very rarely) had the "firefox is already running" error and was able to fix it by ending the process in task manager. I updated to firefox 36 the other day. Since then, firefox will run perfectly normally for a while, but after some time (varies from minutes to hours) I can no longer load new pages. The loading wheel just keeps spinning.
Once this has happened, if I quit firefox and try to open it again, it will give me "firefox already running" followed by "profile missing or inaccessible" error messages. If I go to task manager, sometimes no firefox.exe is there, sometimes it is and I cannot close it. In either case I still can't start the program.
I tried reinstalling firefox, which did not fix the issue. I've also tried creating a new profile, again to no avail. AVG picks up no malware. I did a system restore to a week ago, which seemed to work for a while, but the problem has started again. I'm looking for a solution other than installing an old version, if possible.

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}
Separate Issue;
Your System Details shows;
Installed Plug-ins
Shockwave Flash 16.0 r0
Shockwave Flash 11.8 r800
Having more than one version of a program may cause issues.
Grab the uninstaller from here:
'''[http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-windows.html Uninstall Flash Player | Windows]'''
'''[http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-mac-os.html Uninstall Flash Player | Mac]'''
Then reinstall the latest version.
Flash Player '''Version 16.0.0.305 https://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/distribution3.html'''
Shockwave Director '''Version 12.1.7.157 http://get.adobe.com/shockwave/'''

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Sometimes Firefox will not open, telling me, it is already running. It does not show in the task manager and the only solution is to reboot.

Firefox is running. I close the program. I try to reopen it. I get an error message: Firefox is already running. It does not show in the task manager, nor anywhere else. I can not close the old version, nor start a new one. I have to reboot.

Did you look in the Processes tab in the Task Manager?
See also "Hang at exit":
* http://kb.mozillazine.org/Firefox_hangs
* [[Firefox hangs]]

Multiple instances of firefox running cannot kill in task manager "Access denied"

There's no issue with starting a new instance after closing one, the "firefox is already running" error is not occurring (ok maybe once or twice a month, but it's not related to this problem, as my problem happens all the time.)
Apparently when closing a ff window it never fully stops. My computer slows down because of it and these multiple instances of firefox show up in Task Manager. When I try to kill the extra processes it just goes "BANG" and the "access denied" error dialog box appears. They are all running under my user account, and in CPU some are just 10 or 25 and some are in the hundreds and some are over a million. what the heck is going on?
I'm running Windows 7 64 bit and ff 23.0 but this has been happening since about ff 15 (?)

When closing Firefox completely, it is important to close it using the Exit button, located inside of the Firefox/File menu.
Another cause to this problem could be a Firefox preloader. Do you have any programs that will load Firefox automatically? They are supposed to improve start time.
You can also '''try Firefox Safe Mode''' to see if the problem goes away. Safe Mode is a troubleshooting mode, which disables most add-ons.
''(If you're not using it, switch to the Default theme.)''
* Open the Help menu and click on the '''Restart with Add-ons Disabled...''' menu item while Firefox is running.
''Once you get the pop-up, just select "'Start in Safe Mode"''
'''''If the issue is not present in Firefox Safe Mode''''', your problem is probably caused by an extension, and you need to figure out which one. Please follow the [[Troubleshooting extensions and themes]] article for that.
''To exit the Firefox Safe Mode, just close Firefox and wait a few seconds before opening Firefox for normal use again.''
I hope that one of my solutions helps to fix your problem. Please report back with updates soon.
NOTE: You are using an outdated version of Firefox. This can cause security and functionality issue. Please update to the most recent version as soon as possible.

When I try to open Firefox, warning saying profile missing or inaccessible

When I try to open Firefox, a warning sign appears saying your firefox profile cannot be loaded. It may be missing or inaccessible

When I try to open Firefox, a warning sign appears saying your firefox profile cannot be loaded. It may be missing or inaccessible

Can't access Firefox says profile missing or inaccessible is there an easy fix?

can't access Firefox says profile missing or inaccessible is there a fix I am not a computer expert

Are there still profile folders present in that location?
*C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\
Note that the "AppData" folder in Windows Vista and later Window 7+ versions and the "Application Data" folder in XP/Win2K are hidden folders.
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Show_hidden_files_and_folders
You can use one of these to make Firefox create/use a new default 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 crating a new profile to recover an existing profile if there is still one present
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_Manager
*https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Managing+profiles
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox

I have uninstalled and reinstalled, but still get the same error message about profile missing or inaccessible--what do I do now?

When I opened the profiles folder there were folders missing (less folders than were shown on the help page). I tried using a restore point, but that did not work either. I don't know what else to do. :( I cannot access the manual fix steps because the browser will not open, so that is useless information.

See:
*https://support.mozilla.org/kb/how-run-firefox-when-your-profile-missing-or-inacc
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/use a new default 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

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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 keep getting the 'Profile missing or inaccessible' error message. I've tried some of the advice given to others but none of it is working for me. I've tried opening the Profile Manager but I get the same error message when I try to do that.

Since yesterday when trying to use Firefox I've been getting error 'Profile missing or inaccessible'.
I've tried uninstalling & reinstalling it & from looking at advice to others with this problem I tried to access the Profile Manager but when I try to do that I again get the Profile missing error message.

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
There may be extensions and plugins installed by default in a new profile, so check that in "Tools > Add-ons > Extensions & Plugins" in case there are still problems.
If that new profile works then you can transfer some files from the old profile to that new profile, but be careful not to copy corrupted files.
See:
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Transferring_data_to_a_new_profile_-_Firefox

"firefox already running"problem,uninstalled-reinstalled firefox still no luck,anyone? Thank You

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Do you still have the default profile?
See:
http://kb.mozillazine.org/Recovering_a_missing_profile
http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_in_use

Firefox will not connect to internet after upgrade. The window pops up but shows "connecting " in tab. And then it sit there. Close it down and then try to reopen it and get message " Firefox already running, Exit program or shut down computer" ???

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1st problem see http://kb.mozillazine.org/Firewalls
2nd problem, to close Firefox properly use File > Exit
:not with the [x] in upper right corner which close window
:see http://kb.mozillazine.org/Firefox_hangs#Hang_at_exit
:if restarting use "Restartless Restart" extension as mentioned there.
 Please mark "Solved" one answer that will best help others with a similar problem -- hope this was it.

After stopping FF when I restart it , I get a pop up displaying Firefox already running but not responding. Please Help?

After stopping FF when I restart it , I get a pop up displaying Firefox already running but not responding. Please Help?

There are several possible causes, see [[Firefox is already running but is not responding]].

When I try to apply update it tells me firefox is running and when I try to kill firefox it runs suddenly and mmediately after killig process help meeee

When I try to apply update it tells me firefox is running and when I try to kill firefox it runs suddenly and immediately after killing process help meeee

hello, in case firefox.exe is always running, this might be a sign of malware active on your pc.
[[Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware]]
[[Firefox exe is always running]]

Unable to open Firefox. Get Profile Missing Alert box saying "Your Firefox profile cannot be loaded. It may be missing or inaccessible.

Following the most recent FireFox Update I can no longer open or use the FireFox browser. I reinstalled a new version and still get the same Profile Missing Alert.

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

Firefox is already running but is not responding - Cannot run Firefox on multiple machines with in a network (parent.lock)

Environment - Single File Server & 6 workstations.
I have a single generic user account/profile and log on to all 6 workstations at the same time (1 user, 1 password, 6 workstations).
I need to run firefox on all the workstations with the same user and user profile.
However, as soon as one user opens firefox all the others get the message "Firefox is already running but is not responding" and can not open the browser. No other workstations can open Firefox. I can only run 1 instance of Firefox in this scenario. How can I run it on all 6 with a single user account?
I have been back to the server and deleted the parent.lock file but it is recreated again as soon as someone open a firefox browser and the problem starts al over again.
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Thank You

hello timfarr, you cannot do that - many essential databases (like bookamrks, passwords etc.) in your profile are not designed to be accessed by different processes at the same time...

Firefox already running, can't find profile

I got the msg posted in my question, created new profile(3.6.19), the old one is not listed in my profile folder. Its still listed in the "profiles.ini" notepad text though. I've done all the help suggestions here & on mozillazine site, but no luck. Is there anyway to recover that old profile now? If there is then i w0n't have to start all over with setting up the new one to be like the old one. Thank You for your help.

Thanx for the reply again. I have no problems opening the profile mgr., I've always used "firefox -p" with no problems. After I hopefully get this mess straightened out, I'm going to use a desktop shortcut to open the p-mgr. Since i reformatted, added a few of the same programs, the same 4 extensions, it takes forever to load pages. I thought it would be faster since my pc is like new again. I tried to create a 3rd test profile this morning, & typed it in to the "profiles ini" notepad text to save it, but it wouldn't open up. I wanted to add my bookmarks from my 2nd profile to see how fast the pages loaded without any extensions or more plugins than the default one has. My pc is setup the same way before the reformat, same internet connection, same firewall, but I updated from 3.6.18 to .19 after I got everything setup like the old xp. This profile I'm on is the only one that opens. Usually a newly created profile opens right up, but not this one. I wish there was a way to get my 1st profile to stop running. I've searched & clicked on so many websites to no avail. Everyone has the same standard answers/links in the mozilla support help pages that don't work for me. I don't want to have to reformat again either. Would the 1st still running profile cause this 2nd profile to load pages slowly. I can't take the slow loading pages very much longer, I might have to try out google's plain-jane chrome. SORRY for the LONG post, I guess I'll just have to use this one profile. THANX again for the help.

Firefox already running, profile missing or inaccessible, cannot kill in task manager

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