I've had issues with Firefox hanging in memory even if I try to remove it using the Windows task manager's "End Process" button. My only alternative is to force a reboot on my PC.

Since upgrading to Firefox 7.0.1 I've noticed the abovementioned problem. I usually have a couple of app tabs with GMail information on them (two different e-mail accounts, one of which is just the contacts page and the other is the inbox and one tab with a GMail calendar for one of the accounts) and my home page, which is Google News. While I cannot say for certain that it is related to multimedia streaming, it does appear to happen after I play some kind of video file like the videos for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. My O/S is XP Pro SP3, my PC is a Dell Inspiron 700m w/2GB RAM. The Add-Ons that I have, as far as I can remember, are AdBlock Plus, Tab Mix Plus, WOT Safe Browsing Tool, and Download Statusbar along with the usual Java stuff. My Adobe plug-ins are always updated whenever I get an update message.

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Recently when I'm running Firefox (I think usually during downloads) the system will hang, but allows me to close the browser (at least it appears to close -- not showing up as running in the Windows Task Manager).

But when I try to open Firefox again, I get this error 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. But I can't find any way to close Firefox. Twice, I've tried removing and reloading Firefox, but it's still happening. Any ideas how to deal with this?

Open the Windows Task Manager > '''Processes''' tab and look for '''firefox.exe'''.

Firefox won't start after upgrade, it appears on the windows task manager but closing the firefox.exe doesn't help

I upgraded to firefox 4 and it asked me to restart the system, since then it stopped working. it just won't open. I have windows xp and when I click on the firefox icon I see firefox.exe in the windows task manager under 'processes' I tried ending the task but it wont help. i also tried removing and reinstalling.. didn't help either :( I also checked if Kaspersky might be blocking it but it isn't

The only thing that worked for me was installing an older version (3.6) and it started working fine... I dont even want to try upgrading it to 4 again..

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

Firefox won't stop running unless I go into task manager and end process

when I shut down firefox and then later try to start it again a box comes up that says it is already running but it won't come on. So I have to go into my task manager and end the process before I can start it again. How do I solve this problem?

That is "hanging at exit". You can ignore the first part, since you already know how to do that.
* 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
**Windows 7 users: http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/window-on-windows/reap-the-benefits-of-windows-7s-task-manager/2576
* What may cause Firefox to hang at exit
** http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Firefox+hangs
** 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:
***See:
****https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Safe%20Mode
****http://kb.mozillazine.org/Safe_Mode
***Firefox 4 users, hold the Shift key while clicking the Firefox 4 desktop icon to enter Safe Mode.
***Firefox Safe Mode is a diagnostic mode that disables Extensions and some other features of Firefox.
****In Firefox 4, Safe Mode also disables Plugins and Hardware Acceleration.
****If you are using a theme, switch to the DEFAULT theme: Tools > Add-ons > Themes '''before''' starting Safe Mode (In Firefox 4, Tools > Add-ons > Appearance). See: http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Using%20themes%20with%20Firefox#w_managing-themes-and-personas
****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 can also enable a few at a time (3-5), keeping track of what you just re-enabled to see if the problem re-occurs; this will help narrow down the possibilities if you have a large number of add-ons.
***#'''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
 
 
'''You need to update the following.''' The Plugin version(s) shown below was/were submitted with your question and is/are out of date. You should update to avoid known security issues with the version(s) you have installed. Click on "More system info..." to the right of your question to see what was included with your question.
*Adobe PDF Plug-In For Firefox and Netscape "9.4.4"
*Shockwave Flash 10.2 r152
*Next Generation Java Plug-in 1.6.0_23 for Mozilla browsers
#'''''Check your plugin versions''''' on either of the following links':
#*http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/
#*https://www-trunk.stage.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/
#*'''Note: plugin check page does not have information on all plugin versions'''
#*There are plugin specific testing links available from this page:
#**http://kb.mozillazine.org/Testing_plugins
#'''Update Adobe Reader (PDF plugin):'''
#*From within your existing Adobe Reader ('''if you have it already installed'''):
#**Open the Adobe Reader program from your Programs list
#**Click Help > Check for Updates
#**Follow the prompts for updating
#**If this method works for you, skip the "Download complete installer" section below and proceed to "After the installation" below
#*Download complete installer ('''if you do NOT have Adobe Reader installed'''):
#**SAVE the installer to your hard drive (save to your Desktop so that you can find it after the download). Exit/Close Firefox. Run the installer you just downloaded.
#**Use either of the links below:
#***https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Using+the+Adobe+Reader+plugin+with+Firefox ''(click on "Installing and updating Adobe Reader")''
#***''Also see Download link''': http://get.adobe.com/reader/otherversions/
#*After the installation, start Firefox and check your version again.
#'''Update the [[Managing the Flash plugin|Flash]] plugin''' to the latest version.
#*Download and SAVE to your Desktop so you can find the installer later
#*If you do not have the current version, click on the "Player Download Center" link on the "'''Download and information'''" or "'''Download Manual installers'''" below
#*After download is complete, exit Firefox
#*Click on the installer you just downloaded and install
#**Windows 7 and Vista: may need to right-click the installer and choose "Run as Administrator"
#*Start Firefox and check your version again or test the installation by going back to the download link below
#*'''Download and information''': http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/
#**Use Firefox to go to the above site to update the Firefox plugin (will also install plugin for most other browsers; except IE)
#**Use IE to go to the above site to update the IE ActiveX
#*'''Download Manual installers'''.
#**http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/191/tn_19166.html#main_ManualInstaller
#**Note separate links for:
#***Plugin for Firefox and most other browsers
#***ActiveX for IE
#'''Update the [[Java]] plugin''' to the latest version.
#*Download site: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html (Java Platform: Download JRE)
#**'''''Be sure to un-check the Yahoo Toolbar option during the install if you do not want it installed.
#*Also see "Manual Update" in this article to update from the Java Control Panel in Windows Control Panel: http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Using+the+Java+plugin+with+Firefox#Updates
#* Removing old versions (if needed): http://www.java.com/en/download/faq/remove_olderversions.xml
#* Remove multiple Java Console extensions (if needed): http://kb.mozillazine.org/Firefox_:_FAQs_:_Install_Java#Multiple_Java_Console_extensions
#*Java Test: http://www.java.com/en/download/help/testvm.xml

When I close firefox it doesn't close. I go to reopen it and it says that it is already running. I have to use task manager to end process to close it before i can log back on.

After browsing and I close Firefox it appears to close.
However when I go to reopen it later I get a message that Firefox is already open and I need to close it. The only wany I can close it is by using Task Manger to end process.

Must be the "hang at exit" problem. You already know how to do Step1; now just determine which Add-on (Extension or Plugin) is causing the problem. 
#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.'''

When I close firefox (in windows 7), it doesn't fully close, I have to go to the task manager and end process before I can open it again.

Every time I try to open firefox, a window pops up saying that another instance of firefox is already running (still open from the last time firefox was open) and that another instance can't be opened. To solve this, I have to go into task manager and end the firefox (32) process. I think this started happening after getting the newest version of firefox a couple weeks ago. My computer is a month-old thinkpad with windows 7 64 bit.

see item #32 closing firefox properly
* http://dmcritchie.mvps.org/firefox/firefox-problems.htm#close_firefox

I have a little issue with firefox Aurora, ive just installed a thing called a custopack that changes the look of windows 7

and now when I high light any thing in Aurora a little speech bubble would come up with information inside, but now there is no information just a black speech bubble, but what bugs me is that it still works the way it should in internet explorer, I dont wanna go back to useing that crap after so many years using the best browser, I would like to show some pictures of this but there is no option to upload a picture.

First of all thanks for the replay, I did try turning off use hardware acceleration but it still has not helped, I do understand that Aurora is in beta, but are we not supposed to report bugs and issues.
When I was first posting this issue there was no option to add a picture only now after I have posted it, the option this there not sure why I could not of done this in the first place as im sure it would of help you out. But thanks again for your help :)
if the worse comes to the worse I'll just uninstall this, Ive uploaded a pic to show what is problem is, in Auroa its black and in IE there is white writing...

When closing Firefox (v:3.6.13), using the red "close" button, the firefox.exe process remaines at top of the "Windows Task Manager" window and continues to use the majority of CPU time.

After an attempt to close the Mozilla Firefox page, on every occasion, the firefox.exe process is found at the top of the list when ordering the listed 'processes' by CPU time... even though the web page is gone.
If an attempt is made to restart Mozilla, the system declares that the current Mozilla process should be closed.
If the firefox.exe process is explicitly closed in the Task Manager, only then can Firefox be restarted.

Does that also happen if you use File > Exit Firefox?
See also "Hang at exit":
* http://kb.mozillazine.org/Firefox_hangs
* [[Firefox hangs]]

Sometimes I have to use Task Manager to 'end process' Firefox before I can open it (not shutting down cleanly from previous use)

Question seems self-explanatory

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

When I close Firefox (3.6.10) by using the x in upper right and then try to start it later, I get message FF is running, you must close first..which I thought I did. Cannot start without using Windows Task Manager and closing process. What is wrong?

See original question. Firefox apparently doesn't close when using the x in upper right corner as when I try to start it again I get a message that FF is already running and I must close it first. I thought the x would do that. Is something set wrong or corrupted?
Thanks

See "Hang at exit":
* http://kb.mozillazine.org/Firefox_hangs
* [[Firefox hangs]]

Plugin-container.exe using 95% of conputer resourses (I end process manually when this happens or have to logoff/reboot)

Plugin-container.exe from firefox sometimes uses up to 95% of my computer resources and needs to be manually shut down by way of task manager or in the last resort of a manual log-off/hard reset (pushing the power button) At this rate NO browser will work on my pc under win7 ... i have gone through chrome (constantly crashed pc) IE (last resort, still installed useless for most websites)
and a couple others that just did not play nice. What gives?

There is a possibility that you have a malware problem, maybe you need to investigate that.
* see [[is my firefox problem a result of malware]]
If the problem is occurring as you clear cookies, or history (possibly on close-down of Firefox) then it may be caused by a known bug in Firefox. (Bug 633427 )

Has anyone had issues with Firefox 13.1 while scrolling web pages

While scrolling most but not all internet page words get jumpy and blurred. This same thing happened on version 13. I had no problems with 12 or ones before it.

jscher2000, Thanks so much for such a fast reply. I made the change you suggested which works great.
Looking forward to one day possibly helping someone myself.

I cannot close firefox without closing the process via the windows task manager.

The X in the top right corner, the 'Exit' command under 'File', nor right-click+close on the taskbar will close Firefox. I have to press ctrl+alt+del, and close the process manually.

https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Firefox%20hangs See '''hang-at-exit'''

Firefox won't open. Not showing in Processes window on Task Manager to end process. Recently installed ZoneAlarm security suite. ???

have been having odd things happen since Zone Alarm installed. many processes now very slow to open and run.

Firefox does not start after updating with ZoneAlarm Extreme Suite enabled
* http://kb.mozillazine.org/Browser_will_not_start_up#Firefox_does_not_start_after_updating_with_ZoneAlarm_ForceField_enabled
Check and tell if its working. Also read the above article completely and the below article too for more understanding.
Firefox will not start
* https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Firefox%20will%20not%20start

I've had issues with Firefox hanging in memory even if I try to remove it using the Windows task manager's "End Process" button. My only alternative is to force a reboot on my PC.

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