Firefox process running, but no window?

Firefox crashed while I was away from my
computer (Windows XP, FF 7.0.1). Re-starting
caused the firefox.exe process to appear in the
task manager, along with 7 plugin-container.exe
processes, but no Firefox window appeared.
Re-booting and re-starting FF gave the same
result. Then, after several minutes, while
reporting this bug via IE, suddenly the FF
window appeared, and restored the tabs that had
been up when it crashed.

'''Open a second window (not a second tab, that is different) when Firefox is already running and displayed on the monitor'''
*Firefox button > New Tab > New Window
*CTRL+N
*'''''If using the Menu Bar''''': File > New Window
**To '''''temporarily''''' display and make choices from the Menu Bar press the ALT key or the F10 key
**Also see: https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Menu%20bar%20is%20missing
'''Firefox "hang on exit"'''
#Stop the Firefox process:
#*[http://kb.mozillazine.org/Kill_application Mozillazine - Kill application]
#*Windows 7 users click [http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/window-on-windows/reap-the-benefits-of-windows-7s-task-manager/2576 here]
#Why Firefox may hang:
#*[http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Firefox+hangs Firefox hangs] (see Hang at exit)
#*[http://kb.mozillazine.org/Firefox_hangs Firefox hangs (Mozillazine)] (see Hang at exit and Closing Firefox properly)
#*[https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Firefox+is+already+running+but+is+not+responding Firefox is already running but is not responding]
#Use Firefox Safe Mode to find a problem with an Extension or Plugin:
#*Don't check anything when entering Safe Mode, just continue
#*If the problem does not occur in Safe Mode it is probably and Extension or Plugin causing the problem
#*See:
#**[[Safe Mode]] and [http://kb.mozillazine.org/Safe_Mode Safe Mode (Mozillazine)]
#**[http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Troubleshooting+extensions+and+themes Troubleshooting extensions and themes]
#**[http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Troubleshooting+plugins Troubleshooting plugins]
#**[http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Basic+Troubleshooting Basic Troubleshooting]
'''If this reply solves your problem, please click "Solved It" next to this reply when signed-in to the forum.'''

Similar Messages

Firefox will not open. Process runs, but browser window will not open.

I am unable to get the Firefox browser window to launch. The application will attempt to open, but the browser window will not appear. Task manager indicates that the process is running, it just will not launch the window. No amount of restarts or reboots will make a difference. The strange thing about this is that Firefox has never run. This is a new computer and this issue has been a problem since it was first plugged in.
Troubleshooting steps attempted thus far:
1) Attempted to open in safe mode - will not open
2) Attempted to run in administrator mode- will not open
3) Completely uninstalled application, including profile info and reinstalled
4) Uninstalled known conflicts - Skype 4 (do not have Norton)
5) Even though issues since new, I ran a virus scan just in case-nothing
6) Uninstalled Chrome which I installed after originally being unsuccesful at getting FF to install (I uninstalled it before I began all of these troubleshooting steps as I have heard of conflicts)
I am now at a loss and willing to try any other steps that you guys can suggest.
Computer is running Windows 7 pro 64 bit. Running McAffee virus software. There are three identical computers in my office, purchased at exactly the same time with the same configuration. Mine is the only one that will not run firefox. Sadness. Please help, pleeeease...

Win 7 with iTunes installed - I was also having problems with that.
"netsh winsock reset" at the command prompt resolved all issues and Firefox launched normally.
Check to see if Winsock is corrupted. May prevent FF from communicating with the web and consequently fails to launch properly - for my situation was not a firewall or antivirus block!
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936211#LetMeFixItMyselfAlways
Click Start, and in Start Search, type cmd.
Right-click the cmd entry that appears in the search results, and then click Run as administrator. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.
At the command prompt, type the following, and then press ENTER:
netsh winsock reset
Then, you should see the following message:
Successfully reset the Winsock Catalog. You must restart the computer in order to complete the reset.
Restart the computer.
Note If you receive an “Access Denied” error message instead of the message that is mentioned in step 3, the command prompt was not correctly elevated. In this case, close the Command Prompt window, and repeat steps 1 through 3. Make sure that you correctly implement step 2.

Firefox is running, but no windows/tabs are showing - what gives?

Firefox12, iMac i5, Snow Leopard 10.6.8, 16GB RAM, 2TB drive.
Firefox worked fine this morning. This afternoon, when it fires up, no windows/tabs show up ... just the menu.
I know that the windows are working - a video link that I clicked on in my Mail begins playing. I can hear it. Just can't see anything.
I've tried opening a new window - nothing happens. I've tried restarting after turning off all Add-ins. Same result.
Tried opening the FF prefs but nothing shows up. All I can see is the FF menu - nothing else shows up.
I've tried the History menu - to restore all tabs etc etc ... no difference. I can only see the menu.
This is so weird and I have no idea what to do.
Any suggestions/ideas??

That is weird. Do you maybe have a window minimized to the dock or in another space? Have you tried restarting the whole computer?

Unable to open a new window you must first close exsisting firefox process or restart your system. There is no firefox process running why should I receive this error msg?

I closed a Firefox process. Then clicked the FF icon to restart my browser. I received an error message. " Firefox is already running, but not responding. To open a new window you must first close existing Firefox process, or restart your system. However there is no Firefox process running to begin with. I checked the task manager.
== This happened ==
Every time Firefox opened

It takes Firefox 5-15 seconds to completely close and for the OS to release the processes; it may take longer if you have a Flash animation/video running in one of the tabs. If not waiting long enough is not the problem, you can try the following to determine if an Extension or Plugin might be causing Firefox to hang at exit.
'''Kill Application'''
In Task Manager, does firefox.exe show in the '''Processes''' tab?
See: [http://kb.mozillazine.org/Kill_application Kill Application]
'''Causes and solutions for Firefox hanging at exit:'''
[[Firefox hangs]]
[http://kb.mozillazine.org/Firefox_hangs#Hang_at_exit Firefox hangs at exit]
[[Firefox is already running but is not responding]]
'''Safe Mode'''
You may need to use '''[[Safe Mode]]''' (click on "Safe Mode" and read) to localize the problem. Firefox Safe Mode is a diagnostic mode that disables Extensions and some other features of Firefox. If you are using a theme, switch to the DEFAULT theme: Tools > Add-ons > Themes '''before''' starting Safe Mode. When entering Safe Mode, do not check any items on the entry window, just click "Continue in Safe Mode". Test to see if the problem you are experiencing is corrected.
See:
'''[[Troubleshooting extensions and themes]]'''
'''[[Troubleshooting plugins]]'''
'''[[Basic Troubleshooting]]'''
If the problem does not occur in Safe-mode then disable all of your Extensions and Plug-ins and then try to find which is causing it by enabling '''one at a time''' until the problem reappears. '''You MUST close and restart Firefox after EACH change''' via File > Restart Firefox (on Mac: Firefox > Quit). You can use "Disable all add-ons" on the Safe mode start window.

I have installed firefox 3.2.64. When i click on the desktop icon nothing happens. The windows task manager says mozilla firefox is running but I can't see it anywhere. What might the problem be?

Question
I have installed firefox 3.2.64. When i click on the desktop icon nothing happens. The windows task manager says mozilla firefox is running but I can't see it anywhere. What might the problem be?

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
*https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Firewalls
See also:
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Browser_will_not_start_up

After updating to Firefox 11.0 Mac, Firefox runs, but no window can be seen

I'm running OSX 10.5.2 I just upgraded to Firefox 11.0. Firefox runs, but no windows can be seen.

See also:
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Corrupt_localstore.rdf
If it does work in Safe-mode then disable all extensions and then try to find which is causing it by enabling one at a time until the problem reappears.
*Use "Disable all add-ons" on the [[Safe mode]] start window to disable all extensions.
* Close and restart Firefox after each change via "File > Exit" (Mac: "Firefox > Quit"; Linux: "File > Quit")
In Firefox 4 and later Safe mode disables extensions and disables hardware acceleration.
*https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Troubleshooting+extensions+and+themes

FIREFOX IS RUNNING BUT NOT APPEARS

FIREFOX IS RUNNING BUT NOT APPEARS Hello, I'm with problem after I updated Firefox to version 3.6.4 and then to 3.6.6, 3.6.8 and also installing direct either version. Is the following, simply I click on browser shortcut and it doesn't open, ja tried everything, reinstalled, spent registry cleaners, ja installed straight from the website and nothing. Versions prior to version 3.6.4, please send to my email [email protected] , [email protected] Thank you

Versions prior to version 3.6.4, install and run normally, but the subsequent install but do not work in Task Manager, it appears as if it had opened, but the desktop is as if it were closed and does not respond. I installed the pre-alpha version 4.0.3 and happened the same thing. Please give me a light, ja I consulted on the Internet and I didn't find nothing. Already deleted the profile and created another, ja deleted the folder profiles and none of it solved. Never seen similar problem

I have the latest version but I am continually told that Firefox is running but not responding and that I need to close Firefox or restart my computer to clear the problem. Why is this happening?

I have the latest version but I am continually told that Firefox is running but not responding and that I need to close Firefox or restart my computer to clear the problem. Why is this happening?

See "Hang at exit":
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Firefox_hangs
*https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Firefox+hangs
See also:
* http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_in_use
* https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Firefox+is+already+running+but+is+not+responding

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]].

I can't open firefox the running but not responding window opens and says to close the existing window. I can't do that shutting down the computer doesn't do anything to help. I've done all the suggestions here. I've uninstalled and reinstalled firefox

Firefox will not open. I get the firefox is already running but not responding window... I have tried rebooting with no help. I have tried to end the process via cntrl+shift+esc and nothing firefox is listed to end. I have tried find the app data via the run icon in the start up window, I have no run icon on this system (Acer with windows vista(?)
== This happened ==
Every time Firefox opened
== The computer was hard shut down and did a improper shut down scan when it was restarted ==
== User Agent ==
Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 7.0; Windows NT 6.0; FunWebProducts; GTB6.5; SLCC1; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; Media Center PC 5.0; .NET CLR 3.5.30729; .NET CLR 3.0.30729)

I am having a similar problem. Running Xp.
Latest revision of firefox.
After using firefox for a while if I exit, parent.lock is locked and i have to reboot to reload firefox.
I have killed all firefox applications from task manager (usually there are none). and I have tried 3 different "file unlock" programs including unlocker to no avail.
I also recently installed a program that shows -all- open files, and parent.lock is not listed, and thus not closable/unlockable from there.

Get message firefox already running but not responding when trying to launch..tells me to close firefox wondow and try again (no ffox window is open)

When trying to launch Firefox I get the following message.
"Firefox is already running, but is not responding. To open a new window, you must first close the existing Firefox process, or restart your system."
This is not the first time and I am tired of having to restart my computer. BTW I have Firefox as my default browser, but had to use IE to get to this support site!
In answer to the next question...every time I TRY to open Firefox.

Simple fix for you I think--it works for me.
1. Open your TASK MANAGER (rt click on your taskbar)
2. Go to PROCESSES
3. Scroll down until you see "firefox.exe"(or anything with the word Firefox in it)
4. Click(highlight) the "firefox.exe"
5. At the bottom right side,click "End Process"
6. Close the Task Manager and do whatever you were attempting to do.
Cheers
Bilk 24

Firefox is running, but window is not visible

I am running a recent version (updated 9/11/2012 ... but I can't get to it to see the version number) of Firefox on Windows 7. Firefox is running, I can close it using the Windows task bar or Task Manager, and when I reopen it, I briefly (< 1 sec) see a full-screen window, then it goes away. I can hover over the taskbar icon and see a thumbnail of the page it has open, but can't get it to show the full window.
I've tried using Task Manager's Switch To and Bring to Front features to no avail. I rebooted the computer and still get the same behavior.
Any ideas?

Hi,
You can try deleting the '''localstore.rdf''' and '''sessionstore.js''' files in the [http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder Firefox Profile Folder]. Before that, you can also try to '''Shift''' + '''Right-click''' the '''Taskbar''' icon > '''Move''', move the mouse once without clicking, and then use the arrow keys on the keyboard. You may have to experiment with the four arrow keys. Hopefully the window will appear.
[http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox Firefox Profile Folder & Files]

Why won't new version 4.0 open on my desktop while version3.6.17 works fine. When I check the processes running on the computer the firefox is running but it won't open on the desktop(monitor)

When I updated firefox from version 3.6.16 to 4.0 the program would not open on the desktop after I double-clicked the short cut on the desk top. I checked the processes running on the computer and it showed firefox running. I followed the short cut to its file and clicked on the executable file with the same result(it won't open). I went back to the previous version and it works fine. What could be the problem?

Hey djclark24,
Have you tried starting Firefox in Safe Mode? Hold down "shift" while Firefox is starting up. If the crash doesn't happen in Safe Mode, you should read [[Troubleshooting extensions and themes]].
There is also a lot of useful stuff in the [[Firefox crashes]] Knowledge Base article.
You could also try [https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/Managing-profiles?s=create+a+new+profile&r=2&e=es&as=s#w_creating-a-profile Creating a new profile].
Hopefully this helps!

Firefox 27 running but not running

I'm running Windows 7 32-bit. When I installed it, I installed Firefox 27. It worked fine. Then, out of the blue, it began freezing--not momentary, but the kind of freeze which forces one to "crash" shutdown. Sometimes 5 minutes into using firefox, sometimes 30, sometimes almost instantly, and I had no idea why. I tried removing 'plug-in container', which seemed to help, although I still noticed 1 or 2 instances where there'd be momentary freeze. Still, I got along.
Then, maybe a week ago, Firefox suddenly "vanished" as in the problem where its "running" but isn't visible. I opened task manager. Firefox.exe was on the processes tab, but not on the applications tab. Nothing I did could induce it to open. Finally, overly annoyed at what was supposed to be a stable installation, I went with 28, the current beta. I "imported" my personal data. All good so far. I opened a website I frequently visit--the font was much smaller than it was last time I was there (using F-27). Nothing I tried changed the page size, but it wasn't a huge deal. So I moved my extensions\add-ons in. My appearances\themes weren't there, all extentions were, and I think all of my other add-ons were also there (I think). But none of this did me any good cause Firefox decided the only way it was goina start was in safe mode. (I'm pulling my hair by this point)
Extremely annoyed, I removed F-28 and re-installed F-27, but its still the same problem--not opening even though task manager says its running. I looked around here at the solutions to similar problems, but was unable to find any that helped me. Anyone have any idea whats going on?
Thanks

Hi Firefox-117,
Thank you for posting your question, and apologies for the delay. I understand that you tried 28 and went back to 27 with the same profile, it now only starts in safe mode and it may have all the add ons there. When Firefox is in safe mode, to make sure, all of the add ons will still be listed in the add on page (about:addons)
It sounds like one of the add ons is causing the issue, since it only works in safe mode. By process of elimination it is possible to turn off all of the add ons and turn them on one by one to find out with one is causing it to freeze. There are also troubleshooting steps in this article: [[Firefox hangs or is not responding - How to fix]]
Hope this helps!

Several itl files - itunes process runs but itunes wont open

This is a little complicated and I have now run into several related issues. This all started a few weeks ago when I attempted to move my itunes library from one external hard drive to a new and larger external hard drive on my windows vista PC. I copied/transfered all of what was on the older driver onto the new drive. That's fine and dandy. I also at the time did some maintenance removing old music folders and itunes library files from several years of use. I had all kinds of duplicate music files (that got copied over at the same time) and a horde of dead links and playlists too. Very messy. In short my library had become unmanageable a long time ago, its size of close to 500 gigs.
Everything copied over and itunes opened and worked okay.
However problems have now happened after (and it may be coincidental) loading the latest version of iTunes. And at the same time using several programs to attempt to find and delete duplicates, fix playlists, located files and dead tracks etc. These included "iTunes Library Tool Kit" and duplicate file finder, plus Steve MacGuire's vbs scripts.
It all came to a head now when the other day iTunes would open (you can see the process running in TaskManager) but the window would not open. Basically I followed http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1717. And it seems to have fixed the "not opening" issue. However. Before going through and recreating my library I realize I have several itl files and several xml files and all kinds of dead or old itunes music files.
So I guess I'm asking .... is there some way of going back to square one? Scrubbing any and all history of iTunes, and having iTunes recreate my library as if my PC was new to Apple and iTunes?
If so what is my best approach? Should I erase old folders and files first?
I've attached an example of what I found after searching for .itl files. (lines 2 - 5 were moved to the desktop) thats where they still reside, but I stopped and posted this inquiry before doing anything else.
Don't know if it matters I have my library also located in iCloud.

Hi there. If you want a clean start I'd suggest you shift-start iTunes and create a new empty library at F\iTunes, make sure the media folder under Edit > Preferences > Advanced is set to F:\iTunes\iTunes Media and the options to Keep... & Copy... are enabled. I'd then move the existing media inside the iTunes Media folder before adding it to iTunes. Either use the Automatically Add to iTunes folder or move everything deeper inside, e.g. F:\iTunes\iTunes Media\Imports so that once iTunes has imported everything and moved it to where it thinks it belongs you can easily clean up any artwork, playlist files etc. that iTunes ignores.
Note that a clean start like this will lose all ratings, play counts, playlists, date added information, and if you have any devices may mean that all media needs to be resynced. Chances are the media folders may still contain duplicates but these can be cleaned using my DeDuper script.
Take a look at this backup tip... Ideally you would backup what you have before you get started, just in case you get over enthusiastic at some point, then redo the backup once you have the rebuilt library working as you want it.
tt2

Firefox process running, but no window?

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