Firefox won't open, but the process stays in the task manager until I end it

I've tried everything that has been proposed before by you guys and I'm hoping you've found a solution by now. I've tried re installing, allowing Firefox through my firewall, and running it as administrator. I still double click on the icon and nothing happens other than the process showing up in the task manager.

Hello,
Certain Firefox problems can be solved by performing a ''Clean reinstall''. This means you remove Firefox program files and then reinstall Firefox. Please follow these steps:
'''Note:''' You might want to print these steps or view them in another browser.
#Download the latest Desktop version of Firefox from http://www.mozilla.org and save the setup file to your computer.
#After the download finishes, close all Firefox windows (click Exit from the Firefox or File menu).
#Delete the Firefox installation folder, which is located in one of these locations, by default:
#*'''Windows:'''
#**C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox
#**C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox
#*'''Mac:''' Delete Firefox from the Applications folder.
#*'''Linux:''' If you installed Firefox with the distro-based package manager, you should use the same way to uninstall it - see [[Installing Firefox on Linux]]. If you downloaded and installed the binary package from the [http://www.mozilla.org/firefox#desktop Firefox download page], simply remove the folder ''firefox'' in your home directory.
#Now, go ahead and reinstall Firefox:
##Double-click the downloaded installation file and go through the steps of the installation wizard.
##Once the wizard is finished, choose to directly open Firefox after clicking the Finish button.
Please report back soon!
Hope this helps!
Curtis

Similar Messages

Firefox does not open but there is an entry in Task Manager

I've tried upgrading my gf's firefox from 3.6 to 5.0.1
Since then, whenever I click on the firefox shortcut on the desktop, nothing happens. There is an entry in the Task Manager but nothing else happens.
I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling FF, even trying 4.0.1 to see if that works but I get the same problem there. Which is what leads me to believe it's a software conflict...the problem is I can't identify what it is and why it only stops versions from 4 upwards!

Launch the Console application by entering the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search, and look under "User Diagnostic Reports" for crash logs related to Safari, WebProcess, or PluginProcess. Select the most recent one and post the contents -- the text, please, not a screenshot.
Starten Sie die Konsolenanwendung (Console), indem Sie die ersten Zeichen seines Namens in eine Scheinwerferrecherche und in Blick unter „Benutzer-Diagnoseberichte“ für die Systemabsturzlogs eingeben, die auf Safari, WebProcess oder PluginProcess in Verbindung gestanden werden. Wählen Sie das neueste aus und geben Sie den Inhalt bekannt -- der Text, bitte, nicht ein screenshot.

When I start Firefox for the first time, 1 Firefox.exe shows up in the Task Manager (8,180K), but Firefox doesn't start. When I click on it again, a second Firefox.exe shows in the Task Manager, and Firefox opens. Is the first one a Trojan?

I'm using version 3.6.12 on Windows XP. The icon points to C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\Firefox.exe. The Properties of that file look okay.

No, most likely not. I reckon you got some antivirus software on your machine, don't you?
Sometimes Firefox does load into memory but won't show your start page.
Simply open the task manager, click on the "Processes" tab and kill the (two or more) firefox.exe processes you've just created. Double-click your Firefox icon and everything should be back to normal.

Firefox won't open and the steps in tutorial didn't help nor did uninstalling and re-installing

Hi,
I have been thru the tutorial and none of the steps solved the problem I am having with firefox. I just installed it on a new computer and it won't open. It says that it cannot run until process is ended or computer is restarted. Restarting and ending the process don't seem to help. The other tutorial step of deleting the lock file doesn't work either as I could not find a lock file.

Right... Back to square one.
- Open Internet Explorer, go to "www.mozilla.com" and download the installer for Firefox 3.6.12 and save it to your desktop.
- To uninstall Firefox, first make sure no "firefox.exe" processes are running on your machine: Open the task manager (invoke it by pressing ctrl-alt-del and choosing the appropriate option), click on the "Processes" tab, click on the heading "Name" to sort all running processes by name.
Scroll down the list and right-click on the first "firefox.exe" process picking the "Kill process" option. If there's more than one of them, repeat for all instances of "firefox.exe".
- Now go to the directory C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\uninstall and double-click "helper.exe". This should uninstall Firefox completely.
- Now we're in for the hard part: Go to C:\Dokuments and Settings\[Your User Name]\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles. That's where your profile resides. Unless you're using the Profile Manager, chances are you're seeing just one directory "[random string],default". (In my case it's called "4sr92zjz.default", f. ex.).
If you got any bookmarks you'd like to keep, open this folder, find the file "places.sqlite" and move it to your desktop.
Now delete the entire contents of your profile folder--you'll need to configure firefox anew. Do keep this window open, you'll need it again in a few moments.
Go to your desktop, run the installer, start Firefox once, close it again and move your "places.sqlite" file from your desktop to your profile folder.
Now double-click Firefox and reconfigure it according to your preferences.
N.B.: Do get "MozBackup". With this application you're able to save and restore a working Firefox profile--for your next mishap ;-)

Firefox won't open from the taskbar or desktop - what do I do

Firefox won't open. I uninstalled it and downloaded a new one. When I tried running it I was asked to close Firefox. As I did not have it running, I could't close it. All other programmes were closed. I also have the mozilla email which is still working.
Regards
Lusaka

Hello Gigi,
Thank you for providing so much detail about the issue you are experiencing with the iTunes app after upgrading to iOS 7.
The first thing I recommend is quitting and relaunching the applications on your iPhone:
Double-click the Home button.
Swipe left or right until you have located the app you wish to close.
Swipe the app up to close it.
You can find the full article here:
iOS: Force an app to close
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht5137
If you are still seeing the same issue after quitting and relaunching the iTunes app, I recommend restarting your phone and then resetting if it's still not working:
Restarting your device
Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button for a few seconds until the red "slide to power off" slider appears, and then slide the slider.
Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until the Apple logo appears.
Note: Reset your device only if you are unable to restart it.
Resetting your device
Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button together for at least ten seconds, until the Apple logo appears.
You can find the full article here:
iPhone, iPad, iPod touch: Turning off and on (restarting) and resetting
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1430
If the issue persists, the last thing I recommend is backing up and restoring your iPhone:
iOS: How to back up and restore your content
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1766
iTunes: Restoring iOS software
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1414
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
Best,
Sheila M.

Firefox wont open and the task manager wont open as well

My firefox wont open and when i try to fix it by managing profiles, it wont start up. when i try to go through the task manager it also wont start up. i dont know what i can do to fix this. ive tried uninstalling and installing tons of times. i just dont know what to do

Clint:
Welcome to Apple Discussions.
In terms of the Firefox issue. Boot the computer and log in. Then go to Apple Menu > System Preferences > Accounts > Login Items and see if Firefox is listed there. If it is, then select it and click the minus sign at then bottom left. The reboot the computer and try to launch Firefox.
A couple of other things to check. Open a Finder Window (Commnand + N when in Finder) and look in the sidebar. Do you see a white disk-like icon named Firefox? If you do, click on it, drag the Firefox icon into the Applications folder, then eject the white disk icon.
If neither of the above work, hold down Command + Option + esc. Do you see Firefox in the list of items to Force quit? If you do, select it and Force quit.
Please let me know if any of these work.
In terms of Dashboard, do you have the install disk for the OS you have installed?
cornelius

I use Firefox to access the internet-but when I go off the internet but don't shut down, then go back on Firefox it won't open because "it is already running". Task Manager doesn't show that it is operating so I can't shut it off. What to do?

It is in the question but to repeat.
1. When I go online I use Mozilla Firefox
2. While I am doing other work, I usually close the internet.
3. If I go back on the internet and click on Mozilla it won't come up, stating that "it is already running".
4. Despite that, when I open Task Manager, it doesn't show that it is running so I can't shut it down or open it.
5. If I log off or shut off the computer, then after I log in or reboot the computer, I can open Mozilla.
Thanks from a Mozilla fan.

See "Hang at exit":
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Firefox_hangs
See "Firefox hangs when you quit it":
*https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Firefox+hangs

A botched install on a Mac (to do with importing a profile) means that Firefox won't open on the grounds that the application is 'already open'. Tried removing everything I can find to do with Firefox and re-installed but no success. Any suggestions?

Little more can be added to the above. The warning screen says, 'A copy of Firefox is already open. Only one copy of Firefox can be open at a time.'
I have gone though all the libraries and preferences I can find and removed everything to do with Firefox and Mozilla - it was the first install of Firefox on this drive.

Do a clean (re)install:
* Download a fresh Firefox copy from http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/all.html and save the file to the desktop.
* It is important to delete the Firefox program folder to remove all the files and make sure that there are no problems with files that were leftover after uninstalling.
Your bookmarks and other profile data are stored elsewhere in the [http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox Firefox Profile Folder] (not in the Firefox program folder) and won't be affected by a reinstall, but make sure that you do not select to remove personal data if you uninstall Firefox.

Firefox won't open, but also apparently won't close, and so won't uninstall--help!

I'm using Windows XP, need to use Firefox as browser for work. I clicked on the icon which doesn't open, tried to run it in safe mode, no go. Can't bring it up, can't remove it through the control panel add or delete programs option. Can't uninstall it: setup message advises to close Firefox, but I can't see where it might be open. Can't download a more recent version, because I get the same message about closing open Firefox windows. please help.
This has been consistent.

Do a clean (re)install:
* Download a fresh Firefox copy from http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/all.html and save the file to the desktop.
* It is important to delete the Firefox program folder to remove all the files and make sure that there are no problems with files that were leftover after uninstalling.
Your bookmarks and other profile data are stored elsewhere in the [http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox Firefox Profile Folder] (not in the Firefox program folder) and won't be affected by a reinstall, but make sure that you do not select to remove personal data if you uninstall Firefox.

After downloading new version of firefox, i didn't like it and attempted to restore my system to a previous time and version of firefox. Now firefox won't open, even the old version isn't there anymore.

I want to get firefox back, keeping all of the bookmarks.

Download a fresh Firefox copy and save the file to the desktop.
* Firefox 8.0.x: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/all.html
Uninstall your current Firefox version.
*Do not remove personal data when you uninstall the current version or you lose your bookmarks and other data in the profile folder.
Remove the Firefox program folder before installing that newly downloaded copy of the Firefox installer.
*It is important to delete the Firefox program folder to remove all the files and make sure that there are no problems with files that were leftover after uninstalling.
Your bookmarks and other profile data are stored elsewhere in the Firefox Profile Folder and won't be affected by a reinstall, but make sure that you do not select to remove personal data if you uninstall Firefox.
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_backup

Firefox won't open from the desktop shortcut nor the program file on the start page.

On many occasions, Firefox will not start (load) unless I reboot my laptop. Version 3.6 on Windows Vista.

Actually, it's not just Mail that isn't working, but the Finder is crashing as well, and there may also be other problems that I don't fully understand. If you can manage to use the computer at all, proceed as follows.
Verify/repair your disk (not just permissions), as described here:
The Repair functions of Disk Utility: what's it all about?
After having fixed all filesystem issues, if any, reinstall the latest system update using the Combo installer:
Mac OS X 10.4.7 Combo Update for PPC
Read the following articles for guidelines on how to properly install system updates:
Troubleshooting installation and software updates
Installing software updates
Basically, you should verify/repair the boot volume before installing the update, and no applications should be running while installing it.

Firefox won't open, but worked yesterday

Have tried to open Firefox this morning with no luck - just sits there. Uninstalled and re-installed - no luck

See:
* http://kb.mozillazine.org/Browser_will_not_start_up

When I click on Firefox, it won't open... the icon flashes as if opening but no browser window opens. It also does not appear in the task manager

I click on the icon and it flashes as if opening.... no browser window appears.... I check the task manager to see if it is open but not displayed... nothing in the task manager..
So I uninstalled it leaving my preferences, and reinstalled it but it does the same thing. This time when I went to uninstall it again wiping the preferences away (in case it is those that is causing the problem) the uninstall program said that I had to close firefox first... but it isn't showing up as open in the task manager....
Final though... the last few weeks I have had a page pop up to advertise a need to update this or that, a need to click on this or that... obviously some kind of bug/virus.... help me get firefox going again...
On Windows 7 platform

Boot the computer in Windows Safe Mode with network support (press F8 on the boot screen) as a test to see if that helps.
Do a malware check with some malware scanning programs on the Windows computer. 
Please scan with all programs because each program detects different malware. 
All these programs have free versions.
Make sure that you update each program to get the latest version of their databases before doing a scan.
*Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware: http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
*AdwCleaner: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/ http://www.softpedia.com/get/Antivirus/Removal-Tools/AdwCleaner.shtml
*SuperAntispyware: http://www.superantispyware.com/
*Microsoft Safety Scanner: http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx
*Windows Defender: Home Page: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx
*Spybot Search & Destroy: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
*Kasperky Free Security Scan: http://www.kaspersky.com/security-scan
You can also do a check for a rootkit infection with TDSSKiller.
*Anti-rootkit utility TDSSKiller: http://support.kaspersky.com/5350?el=88446
See also:
*"Spyware on Windows": http://kb.mozillazine.org/Popups_not_blocked

Firefox won't open and neither will Profile Manager.

I running Windows 7 Professional. So about two weeks ago I had suddenly was unable to open Firefox and since then have been trying to solve it myself to no avail. the Firefox process opens in the task-manager, however, the browser window does not appear. When trying to open Firefox again, another process opens and the same thing happens. Processes just keep opening and that's it. I have tried the Profile manager but it only opened once and I have been unable to get it to open again. Every once in a while Firefox actually opens when I launch it, but when I close it to see if it works again it does not. Firefox does open in Safe-mode with Networking with no problems consecutively. While it was in safe-mode I ran a full system scan with Nortan Antivirus and cleared about thirty threats but after the restart Firefox still won't open, only processes. I have tried deleting Mozilla from the x86 path and cleared My local and roaming Mozilla appdata, then re installed with 34.0.5. I have tried opening Firefox in safe mode but it won't open at all, only the process again.

''cor-el [[#answer-668399|said]]''
<blockquote>
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:
*https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Server+not+found
*https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Firewalls
*https://support.mozilla.org/kb/fix-problems-connecting-websites-after-updating
Do a malware check with several malware scanning programs on the Windows computer.
Please scan with all programs because each program detects different malware.
All these programs have free versions.
Make sure that you update each program to get the latest version of their databases before doing a scan.
*Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware: http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
*AdwCleaner: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/ http://www.softpedia.com/get/Antivirus/Removal-Tools/AdwCleaner.shtml
*SuperAntispyware: http://www.superantispyware.com/
*Microsoft Safety Scanner: http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx
*Windows Defender: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/using-defender
*Spybot Search & Destroy: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
*Kasperky Free Security Scan: http://www.kaspersky.com/security-scan
You can also do a check for a rootkit infection with TDSSKiller.
*Anti-rootkit utility TDSSKiller: http://support.kaspersky.com/5350?el=88446
See also:
*"Spyware on Windows": http://kb.mozillazine.org/Popups_not_blocked
*https://support.mozilla.org/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-issues-caused-malware
</blockquote>
My firewall has been off for ages. And I did a check with Nortan. It didn't help.
EDIT: Turns out I was just being lazy I guess. I had read this post before on another user and it didn't work for him so I didn't try it. AWD did clean a lot of stuff but didn't work, Malwarebytes however cleaned more things and suddenly Firefox opens each time I try. Not sure if it is permanent yet.

What does nsAppShell: Event Window mean? Firefox won't open for me at times and I need to restart.

When I return to my computer, Firefox won't open from the "standby" mode. It gives me the message saying "Firefox is already running, but not responding" and I need to log out or restart. Firefox is not running as far as I know. When I restart, a message comes up asking if I want to close "nsAppShell: Event Window". Once I end this process, it restarts my computer and everything is fine. This is very frustrating and happens all the time. What is "nsAppShell: Event Window"?

The OP asked this question 9 months ago and 850 other people have this problem. Why hasn't Firefox Support answered this question or commented?

Firefox won't open, but the process stays in the task manager until I end it

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for