Firefox won't open / launch on my mac

I have a Macbook Pro I purchased new this summer (2014). I installed the latest version of Firefox in July 2014 and it worked fine for over 2 months. Suddenly, Firefox no longer opens. It flashes like it's opened a window but nothing shows. I created a new user profile and it worked fine on the new profile, and gradually Firefox is having the same problem on each user profile I create. Please help!
I am using OSX 10.9.2
In the notifications on my mac, it says I can download an update for Firefox version 32.0.3...but when I click on that notification to do so, it slides back off the screen and doesn't install.

Start your '''Computer''' in safe mode. Then start Firefox. Try '''Safe''' web sites.
Starting The Computer In Safe Mode;
If running, turn your computer off.
Remove any disks and thumb drives that are in your hard drives or ports.
Now start your computer but also;
'''Windows; '''Press the <F8> key repeatedly.
'''Mac: '''Hold down the Shift key.
'''Linux; '''Using the command line, Linux/Unix computers can be booted
into various run levels that determine which resources are loaded.
For example, "runlevel 1" is typically the equivalent to Windows and
Mac safe modes.
* Source; '''[http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Linux+Safe+Mode Safe Mode; Free Online Encyclopedia]'''
When the '''Boot''' menu is displayed, release the key you were pressing.
You must now choose what mode you want. The most used are;
* Safe Mode; The computer runs with only a minimum set of programs.
* Safe Mode '''With '''Networking; Same as above, but with internet access.

Similar Messages

Tried to upgrade as suggested. Firefox won't open now, says my Mac isn't a compatible version. How do I get the old Firefox system back?

Went to open Firefox this morning. It said I should upgrade to the new Firefox. I downloaded as requested. When complete, I tried to open Firefox and it said the new version isn't compatible with my older Mac. How do I get the older version of Firefox on my system and get rid of the new one that won't open??

* Firefox 3.6.x: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/all-older.html

Firefox won't open links from Mac Mail

Like everyone else Apple Mail links will not open in Firefox if it is already open. Clicking a link brings FF to the front but no page loads. Links work if FF is not open. Links work if command is pressed whilst clicking the link (opens in new tab in background).
Problem occurred after 32.0.2 update, it appeared to briefly resolve itself after 32.0.3 update, but stopped (I think) on next reboot.
Have monkeyed around for ages with different combinations of default browser and rebooting.
Will abandon FF and go back to Safari if this isn't sorted soon - shame.

I just want to link to these earlier threads so you don't get a lot of duplicate suggestions that have already been covered there:
* [https://support.mozilla.org/questions/1018542 Firefox won't open email links after update to version 32]
* [https://support.mozilla.org/questions/1023202 No tab opens when I click on a link if any Firefox window is already open]
(There might be others, but those are the ones I've seen)
Work is proceeding on [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1017595 Bug #1017595 – Links from external applications sometimes fail to open when Firefox is hidden] but as you can tell from the title, this is focused on the problem of Firefox not coming out of hiding from the dock or coming out of hiding but not loading the page. If this also occurs when Firefox is not hidden at all, there may be a secondary issue. But hopefully solving the one will solve the other. Unfortunately, I don't know whether it will be in time for Firefox 33.

Mac won't open pages in browsers. Chrome and Firefox won't open any pages - Safari will only open a selected few.

I've had some strange browser issues, with Conduit being added to Chrome (which I've tried to remove via the browser settings). Chrome will open my Gmail account but no ther pages. Firefox won't open anything. Safari opens a few pages (this forum thankfully) but is very selective.
Google is returning results to me via Google.es rather than Google.co.uk
I can use all browsers freely on other devices on home network (although Google.es has popped up on my iPhone now). I've run anti-virus software which hasn't picked up any problems. I've tried uninstalling Chrome and Firefox, but am unable to do so.
Any help or guidance would be really, really appreciated.
I'm running the most recent version of Mavericks on 2012 iMac.

Hi,
First of all click Safari/Reset Safari, next click Safari/Preferences/Extensions and turn off extensions. The re-test
If the problem persists, try using safari in safe mode:
Use this link to see how to do this:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1564
If Safari works ok in safe mode, then your problem points to something 3rd party related.
Have a look at this:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3230?viewlocale=en_US
I hope this helps

Firefox won't open following update. Can't open Profile Mgr, even when using entire directory path in cmd line

I'm running Firefox on a Windows 7 machine. Firefox won't open following the latest update. I've read the help articles and it seems like I need to create a new profile because my settings have likely been corrupted. I'm unable to open Profile Mgr, even when using entire directory path in cmd line. I've tried the following commands in the command line:
firefox -p
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -p
Nothing happens with either command.
I'm also running Norton Internet Security. I read a help article Re Virtual Browsing features possibly causing a problem. The article said to check the virtualization setting in the internet security software and to clear the virtual cache. I went thru all of the settings menus in Norton Internet Security version 21.6.0.32 and I didn't see anything that looked like 'virtualization" settings, so I assumed that this doesn't apply to me.
If you have any ideas, I'd sure appreaciate your expertise!!

''arcandl [[#question-1038482|said]]''
<blockquote>
I'm running Firefox on a Windows 7 machine. Firefox won't open following the latest update. I've read the help articles and it seems like I need to create a new profile because my settings have likely been corrupted. I'm unable to open Profile Mgr, even when using entire directory path in cmd line. I've tried the following commands in the command line:
firefox -p
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -p
Nothing happens with either command.
I'm also running Norton Internet Security. I read a help article Re Virtual Browsing features possibly causing a problem. The article said to check the virtualization setting in the internet security software and to clear the virtual cache. I went thru all of the settings menus in Norton Internet Security version 21.6.0.32 and I didn't see anything that looked like 'virtualization" settings, so I assumed that this doesn't apply to me.
If you have any ideas, I'd sure appreaciate your expertise!!
</blockquote>
''philipp [[#answer-670108|said]]''
<blockquote>
hello arcandl, when firefox isn't launching after you double-click on the shortcut this is sometimes also a sign of malware being active on a system.
you might want to try running a scan with some different other security tools like the [http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free free version of malwarebytes] and [http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/ adwcleaner] which are specialised in removing adware and browser hijackers.
[[Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware]]
</blockquote>
Phillip - You're a genius!!! I ran malwarebytes and it resolved my problem. Thank you so much!!!

Firefox won't open...error message - "your firefox profile cannot be loaded. . It may be missing or inaccessible." Please help. I have unistalled & reinstalle

Firefox won't open for me. I keep getting the errors listed below:
"your firefox profile cannot be loaded. . It may be missing or inaccessible."
"Firefox is already running, but is not responding. The old Firefox process must be closed to open a new window."
Nothing is running. I've killed all the firefox processes, restarted, uninstalled and reinstalled.
What can I do?
Thanks
Kris

Did you delete the profiles.ini file?
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/profiles.ini_file
You can use this button to go to the currently used Firefox profile folder:
*Help > Troubleshooting Information > Profile Directory: Show Folder (Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder)
*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

Downloaded latest version and now firefox won't open "mozjs.dll not found"?

I downloaded version of firefox (5.0?), and when the computer restarted firefox won't open. I get a "mozjs.dll not found".
Help?

'''''[https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-issues-using-safe-mode Start Firefox in Safe Mode]''''' {web link}
While you are in safe mode;
Press the '''<Alt>''' or '''<F10>''' key to bring up the tool bar.
Followed by;
Windows; '''Tools > Options'''
Linux; '''Edit > Preferences'''
Mac; ''application name'' '''> Preferences'''
Then '''Advanced > General.'''
Look for and turn off '''Use Hardware Acceleration'''.
Poke around safe web sites and see if there is still a problem. Then restart.

Firefox won't open a PDF link in the browser, screen just shows blank.

Firefox won't open a PDF link in the browser, when I click on the link the screen just goes to a blank blue screen.

If using a Mac, go to the Firefox Plugins and disable the Adobe Acrobat NPAPI Plug-in, Version 10.1.3. This is a recent plugin update, and as soon as it was installed I noticed that PDFs wouldn't download.
Location: [Menu] Tools/Add-Ons/Plugins
I don't know what other side-effects it can create, but it solved my problem.

Firefox won't open when prompted the first time. Says "Not Responding". I have to hit cntrl/alt/del then try starting again. Sometimes multiple times.

Firefox won't open when prompted the first time. Says "Not Responding". I have to hit cntrl/alt/del then try starting again. Sometimes multiple times.

Sounds like a "hang at exit" problem. There are several possible causes for that error. See:
* How to stop the running Firefox process
** In Task Manager, does firefox.exe show in the '''Processes''' tab?
** See: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Kill_application
* What may cause Firefox to hang at exit
** http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Firefox+hangs (see "Hang at exit" section)
** http://kb.mozillazine.org/Firefox_hangs
** https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Firefox+is+already+running+but+is+not+responding
* You may need to try Firefox Safe Mode
** You may need to use '''Safe Mode''' to locate the problem: http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Safe+Mode
**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.
** 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.
** See the following for more information
*** http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Troubleshooting+extensions+and+themes
*** http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Troubleshooting+plugins
*** http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Basic+Troubleshooting

Tried to use Restore to return to pre-Firefox4 but now Firefox won't open and won't uninstall.

After trying to maneuver the new Firefox 4.0 for a while and giving up, I wanted to go back to the 3.6.1.6 version. I used the Restore feature to try to go back to the pre-Firefox 4.0 dowload. Since then, Firefox won't open. I have tried to uninstall Firefox 3.6.1.6, which is listed in my installed programs in the Control Panel, but it doesn't do anything. At this point I don't know what to do. I want to re-instate the 3.6.1.6 version on my computer. Thanks.

You're in a bit of a pickle here because you can't use System Restore to revert to 3.6.16. You probably now have version 1.9.2.x which is in part, files which were not removed when you installed FF4
What you can try and do is use System Resore to undo the last restoration which should take you back to 4.0 again. If that fails, see this article: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Uninstalling_firefox
If the undo restoration is successful, do the following to revert to 3.6.16
Go to [http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/all-older.html Download Firefox v3.6.16] and download it to the desktop. If necessary, download the file with IE8 and choose to save it to your desktop when you see the prompt.
Then go to Add/Remove Programs, scroll down to Mozilla Firefox and remove it, choosing to keep your bookmarks, customizations etc., (don't checkmark the box).
Then reboot and delete the folder called '''Mozilla Firefox''' at this location: ''C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox''
Finally run the installation file you downloaded to the desktop earlier.
Your bookmarks, customizations etc., are maintained in a different location and will become available to you again once you complete the installation.

Firefox won't open get erroe message Platform version '1.9.2.4' is not compatible with MaxVersion =1.9.2.6

When i try to open firefox won't open and get error message XULRunner.Error.Platfor version '1.9.2.4' is not compatible with MaxVersion
miniVersion >=1.9.2.6
miniVersion

Same issue. Are you running the most recent Zone Alarm? Thats when it started for me.

Firefox won't open on new installation

I have just installed arch 64 on this machine, and firefox won't open. I can't get any kind of feedback out of the process either. It just sits there, using hardly any cpu, but nothing happens.
ldd /usr/bin/firefox gives me no errors.
This is the output from gdb:
gdb firefox
GNU gdb (GDB) 7.5.1
Copyright (C) 2012 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
License GPLv3+: GNU GPL version 3 or later <http://gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html>
This is free software: you are free to change and redistribute it.
There is NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by law. Type "show copying"
and "show warranty" for details.
This GDB was configured as "x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu".
For bug reporting instructions, please see:
<http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/>...
Reading symbols from /usr/bin/firefox...(no debugging symbols found)...done.
(gdb) c
The program is not being run.
(gdb) run
Starting program: /usr/bin/firefox
warning: Could not load shared library symbols for linux-vdso.so.1.
Do you need "set solib-search-path" or "set sysroot"?
[Thread debugging using libthread_db enabled]
Using host libthread_db library "/usr/lib/libthread_db.so.1".
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/usr/share/gdb/auto-load/usr/lib/libgobject-2.0.so.0.3400.3-gdb.py", line 9, in <module>
from gobject import register
File "/usr/share/glib-2.0/gdb/gobject.py", line 3, in <module>
import gdb.backtrace
ImportError: No module named backtrace
[New Thread 0x7fffe87f9700 (LWP 6148)]
[New Thread 0x7fffe77df700 (LWP 6149)]
[New Thread 0x7fffe6bff700 (LWP 6150)]
[New Thread 0x7fffe5de4700 (LWP 6151)]
[New Thread 0x7fffe55e3700 (LWP 6152)]
[New Thread 0x7fffe49e2700 (LWP 6153)]
[New Thread 0x7fffe41e1700 (LWP 6154)]
[New Thread 0x7fffe39e0700 (LWP 6155)]
[New Thread 0x7fffe2dff700 (LWP 6156)]
[New Thread 0x7fffe1e9f700 (LWP 6157)]
[New Thread 0x7fffe12ff700 (LWP 6158)]
[New Thread 0x7fffe03ff700 (LWP 6159)]
[New Thread 0x7fffde1ff700 (LWP 6160)]
[New Thread 0x7fffdd9fe700 (LWP 6161)]
[New Thread 0x7fffdcbff700 (LWP 6162)]
[New Thread 0x7fffdc1ff700 (LWP 6163)]
[Thread 0x7fffdcbff700 (LWP 6162) exited]
[Thread 0x7fffdc1ff700 (LWP 6163) exited]
[New Thread 0x7fffdb9fe700 (LWP 6164)]
[New Thread 0x7fffdcbff700 (LWP 6165)]
[Thread 0x7fffdcbff700 (LWP 6165) exited]
[New Thread 0x7fffdcbff700 (LWP 6166)]
[New Thread 0x7fffdc1ff700 (LWP 6167)]
[New Thread 0x7fffda48b700 (LWP 6178)]
[New Thread 0x7fffd9c8a700 (LWP 6203)]
[Thread 0x7fffd9c8a700 (LWP 6203) exited]
[Thread 0x7fffe1e9f700 (LWP 6157) exited]
[New Thread 0x7fffd9c8a700 (LWP 6239)]
[New Thread 0x7fffe1e9f700 (LWP 6240)]
[New Thread 0x7fffd9489700 (LWP 6241)]
[New Thread 0x7fffd8c88700 (LWP 6242)]
[New Thread 0x7fffd8487700 (LWP 6243)]
[New Thread 0x7fffd7c86700 (LWP 6244)]
[New Thread 0x7fffd7485700 (LWP 6245)]
[Thread 0x7fffd7485700 (LWP 6245) exited]
[New Thread 0x7fffd7485700 (LWP 6246)]
[New Thread 0x7fffd6c84700 (LWP 6247)]
[New Thread 0x7fffd6483700 (LWP 6248)]
[New Thread 0x7fffd5c82700 (LWP 6249)]
[Thread 0x7fffd6c84700 (LWP 6247) exited]
[Thread 0x7fffd6483700 (LWP 6248) exited]
[New Thread 0x7fffd6c84700 (LWP 6250)]
[Thread 0x7fffd6c84700 (LWP 6250) exited]
[Thread 0x7fffd7c86700 (LWP 6244) exited]
Then it just sits there forever, spawning and killing new processes. Firefox never appears.
Any ideas?
Last edited by rezza (2013-02-12 11:13:14)

debijan wrote:try this:
firefox -P -no-remote -safe-mode
In order to test the problem, I think my suggestion is better; at least as a first try. Without Firefox running and without ~/.mozilla; no misconfiguration should prevent Firefox to run. The options you suggest will try to disable any problematic configuration. It can be usefull if you need to start Firefox to fix a configuration problem; but as a firt try renaming the ~/.mozilla is better because you are sure that Firefox can't read anything that can hurt it. Only after having figured out that a bad ~/.mozilla is the cause of the problem, we can try to fix the configuration (or restart with a new configuration).
Last edited by olive (2013-02-12 15:56:15)

Firefox won't open after re-installing and can't remove from control panel. What do I do?

After a storm and short power failure, I started having trouble with certain sites loading, and pages moving slower. I emptied my cache and defragged and ran total virus/ malware scan, but still had problem. (Pages loaded fine on AOL) I decided to uninstall Firefox and re-install to help fix problem. I did this, and now Firefox won't open, no matter if I double click, right click (open), or go through "all programs". I tried to uninstall and re-install again, but now I can't get it to respond through my control panel, either.

Try the procedures in the [[Firefox will not start]] article.

Firefox won't open on WIndows vista & it has worked for years.

Used task manager, closed firefox.exe & restarted, worked twice & I disabled Norton Toolbar. Now firefox won't open. I uninstalled firefox and redownloaded it & still won't open. Search for the Profile Manager doesn't show anything.
I did download an HP update yesterday. I am using windows explorer for this since I have toahve that on my computer to access some citrix programs

Right mouse click the iTunes icon and select "Run as Administrator"

Firefox won't open because it says it is already open when it ain't

Firefox won't open because it says it is already open. It appears Firefox is operating in the background. Tried to remove it but we get the same message to log out of Firefox. For 10 years we have been using McAfee with all features but it does not detect any virus or malaware etc. It appears it might be a malaware problem but even using all the latest Microsoft fixes hasn't helped. We used Vista Business Professional with all the latest service packs updated. We use the latest version of Firefox as of up to around 3 weeks or so ago when this issue first appeared.

I suspect you need more expert help but here are a few things you can try.
If you can't open Firefox(double click on Firefox desktop icon) try Safe Mode - Hold down the Shift Key as you double click on the icon>don't check anything on the page that opens>continue. If Firefox opens and works in this safe mode go to Add-ons> Extensions and look for "Ask". Then look at Add-ons >Plug-ins and again look for "Ask" . Remove, delete,disable any Asks. If you do remove any, close Firefox. And try again in Normal Mode.
The Ask website has detailed instructions for removal but you need to find it on your computer and have your computer in working order.
If there is no sign of Ask and Firefox is working well in Safe Mode you should work your way through this -
https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Troubleshooting%20extensions%20and%20themes
Eventually you might need to grapple with About:Config and even your Windows Registry but I would recommend a complete uninstall and re-install before that. Unfortunately that often doesn't work.
That all sounds very daunting but taken step-by-step you might get lucky early.

Firefox won't open / launch on my mac

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for