Frequently get error "Firefox is already running" when using desktop shortcuts to web sites

I love Firefox and don't want to use another browser. I frequently get the error "Firefox is already running". I even created a batch file to kill the process so I can re-launch it. There has to be a real solution.
The key to my issue is... I use shortcuts to web sites from my desktop. This is what seems to trigger the error (but not every time). Please don't tell me to stop using shortcuts; that isn't a solution.
I am using Windows 8.1 64 bit
Firefox 32.0.1 (had this same problem with all prior versions too)
Any help is appreciated!

Separate issue;
Your System Details shows;
Installed Plug-ins
Shockwave Flash 15.0 r0
Shockwave Flash 14.0 r0
Having more than one version of a program may cause issues.
Flash is notorious for not cleaning out the older version as part of an update.
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.
Shockwave Flash '''v15.0.0.152 http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/'''
fixed last link as it incorrectly was for shockwave player instead of the proper flash player. If it has shockwave in a adobe link then that is not Flash.

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How can I stop from getting the "Firefox is already running" error message when trying to open links and FF has already been opened through a symbolic link?

I use symbolic links and program shortcuts as a way to easily open different Firefox profiles ie. one for casual/personal use and another for work. This works well, but I get the "Firefox is already running, but is not responding" error message if I try to open external links with FF as my default browser. FF is actually open and running fine, but I guess it doesn't acknowledge this fact because of how I'm originally starting the process.
I wasn't able to add the symbolically linked executables to the default program pane. Is there a way to bypass this error or other way to fix this?
The solution to the question linked below is what I'm using to open the different FF profiles.
http://superuser.com/questions/255312/pin-same-app-multiple-times-in-windows-7

hello, this is probably happening when you run the default profile with the -no-remote switch.
http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_in_use

If Firefox is set as the default browser, and any application attempts to open a new window, this fails and I get the error "Firefox is already running..."

Here is what I am running:
Microsoft Windows 7, Service Pack 1, Fully updated to 4/10/2012
Fresh Install of Firefox 11. No add-ons enabled as a result of troubleshooting.
I am a user with administrator rights
UAS is disabled.
To begin, this has been going on Since Firefox 10 or so. A few months now.
I am able to open Firefox. My add-ons worked (ABP, Flashblock, ABP Element Hiding Helper, IETAB2, Downthemall, Greasemonkey, 4chan extension) had no problems. Firefox is set and has been set for the last two years as my default web browser.
However Since approximately Firefox 10 or so, maybe before that, If I have a Firefox session open, and any other application attempts to open a session in a new window, I get the Firefox is already running, but not responding error."
I attempted to follow troubleshooting advice already posted (look for parent.lock files left behind [none present], multiple sessionstore.js files [none present], create a new user profile, attempted to clear out the "read-only" permission in windows 7, however as soon as it is cleared, the read only permission returns.)
As a last resort, I deleted the Firefox folder, the %APPDATA%/Mozilla directory in its entirety, then utilized CCleaner to remove any and all references to Firefox in the windows registry, then did a full re-install, no extensions installed right now.
I checked preferences and have the option "open new windows in a new tab" checked off. The problem persists regardless if this option is checked on or off. This problem persists in or out of safe mode, even with the brand new install.
Test Cases:
All cases:
Firefox is selected as the default browser for windows 7
Case 1: Open a firefox session. Utilize any other program that attempts to open a link to their website in a new browser window or new browser session. Experience "Firefox is already running" error
Case 2: Open a firefox session. Right click on Firefox on the task bar. Select "open in new window". Experience "Firefox is already running" error
Case 3: Open a firefox session. Select the Firefox Menu > New tab > New Window. A new window will actually open.
This is the only method of opening a new window in the same browser session or profile that actually works on my system. Attempting to open a browser session from the task bar "open new window dialog" or opening a new window while a current window/session is running will not open firefox in a new window or a new tab in the current session. The "Firefox is already running, but is not responding" error will occur every time.

Cor-el's suggestion resolved my problem. Apparently the MOZ_NO_REMOTE variable was set to 1 on my system variables. I never made it, and really have no idea how it got there, but deleting this variable and restarting firefox has resolved the issue. Thanks Cor-el!
Marking case: Solved
Solution: Verify the MOZ_NO_REMOTE variable is NOT set to 1. This can be achieved by simply deleting this variable.

Doesn't start when starting as administrator. Error 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.

Update firefox, it asked me to update flash, I tried to update flash but it said I had to close firefox. A box came up and said the Flash install would continue when I closed firefox. I closed all firefox windows and no update of flash occurred. I tried relaunching firefox but got the "Doesn't start when starting as administrator. Error 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." message. I rebooted the system, no improvement. I tried to run firefox as administrator and got the same message. Either I find a fix or I won't be able to use firefox and will have to go back to ie.

-> press '''CTRL''' + '''SHIFT''' + '''ESC''' to Open Task Manager -> Processes tab -> right-click '''firefox.exe''' and click '''End Process Tree''' -> close Task Manager
Troubleshooting extensions and themes
* https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Troubleshooting%20extensions%20and%20themes
Troubleshooting plugins
* https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Troubleshooting%20plugins
Check and tell if its working.

Accidentally deleted firefox "profiles.ini" and now says firefox is already running when I try to open it.

Accidentally deleted firefox "profiles.ini" and now says firefox is already running when I try to open it. "a copy of firefox is already open. only one copy of firefox can be open at one time. Now I'm aware this happens often and people have posted solutions to this, but this situation is slightly different. The "profiles" that possibly had parental lock on it were deleted and I don't know how to get it back. Re-downloading firefox obviously does nothing. Opening the task manager and to try and close all mozilla/firefox files and apps doesn't work either. Tried using Onyx to turn invisible files visible but that didn't work either. I think it's cause I deleted the profiles. Suggestions?

Any chance of restoring that profiles.ini file via the Time Machine?
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/profiles.ini_file
If not then you need to use the Profile Manager to re-register that no longer recognized profile.<br />
You do that by creating a new profile and use Choose Location to point the your lost profile.
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_in_use
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Recovering_a_missing_profile

My computer thinks firefox is running and will not open browser window,error = firefox is already running, you need to terminate the process or restart computer. restart has no effect. what file would make the computer think firefox is running?

Reinstalling does not help. Computer locked up for unkown reason and this has happened ever since when i try to start firefox.
Is there a file I can delete or kill that will terminate this process?

See:
* http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_in_use
* https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Firefox+is+already+running+but+is+not+responding
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

Error: "firefox is already running". Won't start until I stop process on task mgr.

I cannot start firefox. Error message tells me that it is already running.
It is not running, but shows in task manager processes. If I end the process, I can start Firefox.

-> press '''CTRL''' + '''SHIFT''' + '''ESC''' to Open Task Manager -> Processes tab -> right-click '''firefox.exe''' and click '''End Process Tree''' -> close Task Manager
Troubleshooting extensions and themes
* https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Troubleshooting%20extensions%20and%20themes
Troubleshooting plugins
* https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Troubleshooting%20plugins
Check and tell if its working.

I continue to get the 'Firefox is already running' statement, which requires me to reboot - very annoying. I go to IE and then get out but it still persists. What to do?

I tried Task manager to kill the 'already running' and it doesn't show up, so I have to reboot.

This does not address my problem. Firefox does not 'hang,' it states that another copy is already running, and that I should first close that copy, which isn't there to start with. Usually on the task bar you'll see one or more open windows tiled or tired behind each other. In this case, there are none; hence, there doesn't seem to be 'another' copy already opened - so I reboot.
After I wrote this thread a few days ago, I did find a work around, but this should not be necessary.
From the desktop, right click the Firefox Icon, then left click 'open,' just as you would if you simply left clicked the icon to start with, but this allows the shadow tab that is in 'theory' open to be bypassed.

F/fox won't run. Prev. ok - upgrade in ver 7 caused problem - reinstalled now won't run at all. last try with ver 8. Error : "Firefox is already running, .. not responding .. close .. or restart .. system." Neither helps.

'''bold text'''The problems started when a routine browser update resulted in a number of sites not loading and firefox merely 'waiting' interminably for the response. But no error messages. Many but not all sites affected. I disabled add-ons and I think I tried to run in safe mode (my own - mental -memory is slightly damaged) I am no expert but nothing I tried seemed seemed to work so I uninstalled and re-installed. I got the problem described above so I uninstalled using another un-installer (Advanced System Care). Problem remains and I cannot find any process 'obviously' connected with firefox using Task Manager. Can't get troubleshooting info 'cause I can't run FF

Does the ext directory have the php_oci8.dll? In the original steps the PHP dir is renamed. In the given php.in the extension_dir looks like it has been updated correctly. Since PHP distributes php_oci8.dll by default I reckon there would be a very good chance that the problem was somewhere else. Since this is an old thread I don't think we'll get much value from speculation.
-- cj

How do I stop this error "Firefox is already running, but is not responding"

Hello,
I got this issue where I’m logged into more then on computer at a time. If I have Firefox running on one computer I’m prevented from running Firefox on anther computer. This because my user account has its home directory mounted across all the computers. It appears that the lock file is preventing from running Firefox on the 2nd computer. What I have been doing is deleting the lock file in my home directory. Then I’m able to start Firefox on the 2nd computer. Is there a better way of doing this? Is there away to disable the use of the lock file?
Now I could just exit out of Firefox on the 1st computer but what if I’m running a web app on the 1st computer. What if you are using a shared admin account to such as root or using a RBAC profile. If user1 is using Firefox after become root or assuming a role, then no other user can use Firefox as root or using that role. That makes it very hard to use Firefox then.
Anyway this is mostly a UNIX/Linux question.

Hello,
I thought I should update this post with the answer.
In order to get around the lock file. You can delete it or use profiles.
If your running Firefox from a UNIX, BSD or Linux based OS. To get to the profile popup window use the -p option.
firefox -p
Which will look like the image below.
https://support.cdn.mozilla.net/media/uploads/images/2013-10-01-11-25-06-18a1cb.png
To get the popup all the time uncheck the "Don't ask at startup"
If you don't have a GUI running then you can do this.
firefox -CreateProfile ''profilename''
firefox -p ''profilename''
I hope this helps someone out.

Firefox won't start, dialog says "firefox is already running" when it is not! There are no apps shown in the Task mangler, what gives?

This occurs on two different machines, one XP and one Win 7. I seems to occur when I close Firefox with a search or load in progress. There are no applications shown in the task manager, so there must be a process still finishing up. What would the process name be? I can wait several minutes usually and the problem goes away and Firefox will restart, but if I knew the process name I could kill it and restart Firefox.

It used 2 happen 2 me a lot, as well, on the old PC. The new one handles it pretty much instantaneously; & also, it won't be under the Applications tab in teh mangler (hehe), but under the Processes 1 probably as firefox.exe

After Upgrading to FF 7, FF does not close properly. I Receive the error "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" after closing FF and Re-Opening

in order to open FF a second time i need to manually close the process. i have disabled all plugings

Hi Pelle,
Why did you delete your profile? Also how? Did you use the profile manager or did you delete from the windows file structure?
It sounds like something during the profile delete has stopped Firefox from starting up. Please see the this article and follow the steps:
Please see this article: [http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_in_use]
--Edward

Firefox won't load when using desktop/start menu icons but loads when starting off links in emails

When I try to start Firefox by the start menu, desktop or any other icon Firefox opens but then freezes and won't respond at all.
If I go to an email and then click on a link than Firefox will open and then load as normal and I can then go about using Firefox.
This has only be happening for the last few days and I have tried all the trouble shots and nothing has changed.

I Have this problem too. won't even start when dbl click the .exe file directly either. but a link in another app or email works fine. I have tried all the stuff here and uninstalled and reinstalled countless times. Using new profile, disabling Norton firewall and antivirus for the installs, only thing that worked was going back to v3.6. and a real early thunderbird too (it was also crashing on starting) Was fine for about three weeks then updated them, The went in stages not all at once and was fine till the newest group of versions. then went back to crashing. this time backgrading did not work. I installed the newest versions Firefox & Thunderbird many more times and by accident found that fresh after a install could open TB first and click a link in a email and FF started ok.
but still will not start from desktop or windows explorer
It is ridiculous to have to open another app to click on a link you don't want to get to where you do want. What is the difference in the links.
ks
also would not start in safe mode or a completely new install.
V.17.0 is the FF thats installed now and at least works as long as I don't try to open it
from desktop or windows explorer, more than a little nervous about going to v.20.

Why is Firefox freezing up intermittently when I am on Foxsports web site

Whenever I have a window open with FOX SPORTS, (Game Trax for baseball games) it hangs and won't let me use any other site.

Hello,
The Reset Firefox feature can fix many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information.
Note: ''This will cause you to lose any Extensions, Open websites, and some Preferences.''
To Reset Firefox do the following:
#Go to Firefox > Help > Troubleshooting Information.
#Click the "Reset Firefox" button.
#Firefox will close and reset. After Firefox is done, it will show a window with the information that is imported. Click Finish.
#Firefox will open with all factory defaults applied.
Further information can be found in the [[Reset Firefox – easily fix most problems]] article.
Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!
Thank you.

Firefox is already running but is not responding... I get this error ten times a day or more!

I love Firefox and don't want to use a different browser, but the error "Firefox is already running but is not responding" is driving me crazy. The reason I get this error is because I frequently use http shortcuts from my desktop or click links from within a thunderbird email. I hope someone has a solution other than "just use bookmarks" or "just end the task". This is a legitimate (and major) bug and should be fixed! Thank you.

Hello,
See this help article, maybe help:
*[https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-already-running-not-responding "Firefox is already running but is not responding" error message - How to fix it]

Frequently get error "Firefox is already running" when using desktop shortcuts to web sites

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