Whenever I try to open it, I get something like "Firefox is already running". HOWEVER, when I check my profiles folder... it is empty!

Exact 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 happened when I first booted up the computer (so I hadn't been running Firefox anyway).
I already tried:
-restarting and shutting off. This does not help. However, the system felt the need to run an error check on one of the restarts, which turned up nothing. This might indicate something.
-Opening task manager. firefox.exe does not appear in the processes list.
-Using the help file. None of it seems to help since the profiles folder is empty. I can't run profile manager either.
-uninstalling and reinstalling. I STILL GET THE SAME ERROR. Furthermore, the profiles folder is still empty!
I am currently running a virus scan, so far nothing. IE seems to be unaffected.
EDIT: Latest version of Malwarebytes has turned up no threats.

Well, if the profile folder is empty, either its contents are somewhere else and hopefully you can put them back where they belong, or you lost your profile info. I don't know how could happen, though...
In any case, see this support article to know about managing profiles:
http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Managing+profiles

Similar Messages

Iget this when I try to open a session....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.task mngr shows no open firefox processes.

I get this when I try to open a session....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.The task manager shows no open Firefox processes.I had two users on this laptop running Firefox and I tried deleting the program on both users. I then downloaded the newest version, installed it and I still get the error message as before. HELP!!!! I loved the browser program when it was working before and would rather use it than other browsers.

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

Since I downloaded Apple's latest operating system, whenever I try to open Illustrator I get a message that I need to install legacy Java SE6 runtime and to click "more info" to do this. When I click "more info" I get a blank window. What should I do

Since I downloaded Apple's latest operating system, whenever I try to open Illustrator I get a message that I need to install legacy Java SE6 runtime and to click "more info" to do this. When I click "more info" I get a blank window. What should I do

Hi,
I had the same problem after upgrading to Yosemite. Illustrator CS6 wouldn't open. I got a message saying I should 'install legacy Java SE6 runtime'.
The link didn't work - it lead to a blank page.
So I downloaded Java8 (latest version) from Oracle but didn't install it. Something told me this was not the right way to go (the problem was with Java SE6, not 8). I then called Apple (in the Netherlands, were I live) for help. I got none. The best they could do was blaming Adobe for the problem or me, for not having the latest Adobe CC app. Rubbish.
And then, magic. I tried to open Illustrator again, got the pop up message but this time the link worked. It took me to an official Apple page, with a link to download Java for OS X 2014-001. The problem is now solved.
If curious, this is the explanation Apple gives for the problem:
'Java for OS X 2014-001 includes installation improvements, and supersedes all previous versions of Java for OS X. This package installs the same version of Java 6 included in Java for OS X 2013-005. On systems that have not already installed Java for OS X 2012-006 or later, this update disables the Java SE 6 applet plug-in. To use applets on a web page, click on the region labeled 'missing plug-in' to download the latest version of the Java applet plug-in from Oracle.'
See http://support.apple.com/kb/HT6133 for more details about this update.
See http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222 for information about the security content of this update.

Why does firefox stop loading then when i close it and try to open it up again I keep getting this 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

Firefox will just stop loading/ connecting to the internet. The gray circle will just continually move but it never turns green to load the pages. I know it's not my internet because my internet explorer works just fine while this is happening to firefox. So I close firefox and then try to re open it but I get the 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. So I wait a little bit then try and re open it and still get the same message. I then go into my windows task manager and try and end the firefox proccess but it won't end. So I restart my computer and firefox eventually starts acting up again.

For possible causes of this error, and how to troubleshoot it see [[Firefox is already running but is not responding]].

When I open Firefox I get the message "Firefox is already running but not responding . . .

I am using Firefox 3.6.9 with Windows XP SP3. Almost every time I try to open Firefox I get the 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."
I then must open Task Manager and find Firefox and stop the process.
I run Firefox on 4 Windows machines and this is the only machine that I have this problem on.
I have looked at the Mozilla Firefox KB and have tried to check on the items that could be causing the problem. I have update my Java in Firefox. I have un-installed Firefox leaving the Bookmark preferences, etc. on my machine, ran CCleaner to clean the Registry of remaining Firefox items and then re-installed Firefox - I still have the problem.
I have installed Google Chrome to fix this problem but now I find that several of the websites and companies I do business with are not compatible with Chrome.
How can I fix this problem? Why am I only having this issue on 1 of my 4 Windows machines?
Thanks!
Bill Artman

For possible causes see [[Firefox is already running but is not responding]].

I always get the 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." on terying to run firefox

When I try to run Firefox I get the 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."
No copy of firefox is running as far as I can tell. Restart and restoring system to 10 days ago did not help.
Uninstalling and downloading a new copy - but to not avail.

See:
* http://kb.mozillazine.org/Recovering_a_missing_profile
* http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_in_use
Do you still have a default profile? 
If not then delete the file [http://kb.mozillazine.org/profiles.ini_file profiles.ini] to make Firefox create a new default profile.
* C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<profile>\

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.

Keep getting this 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 cannot view Firefox open window or close it. Have to always reboot system.

Keep getting this 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." However, cannot view open window or close Firefox. Have to always reboot system to access the internet.

For possible causes of this error, and how to troubleshoot it see [[Firefox is already running but is not responding]].

I am unable to start Firefox. Getting message that it's already running. Can't find my profile using "%APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles|". What do I need to do

I am unable to start Firefox. Getting message that it's already running. Can't find my profile using "%APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles|". Rebooting my computer didn't help. Since I experienced that problem I also noticed that all my bookmarks which I had copied into the Windows Internet Explorer have also disappeared. I am using Firefox as my primary search engine and usually don't use Internet Explorer. I am running Windows 7 on my machine.

Try this add on [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/open-profile-folder/ Open Profile Folder]

When I try to access Firefox I get this message: "Firefox is already running, but is not responding. To open a new windwo, you must first close the existing Firefox process, or restart your computer."

When I click on Firefox I get a window that says: "Firefox is already running, but is not responding. To open a new window, you must first close the existing Firefox process, or restart your computer." I can't see where anything is running on firefox. I restarted the comuter and I shut down the computer. I also ran a full scan of the computer.

Sorry I am a PC user but have you seen
* [[Firefox is already running but is not responding]]
Firefox will be hanging for some reason. The quick solutions to kill the process and try again. The next step is to try to see if it will start and exit normally a couple of times, if so the problem is solved. If not the reason needs further investigation.
See [[firefox hangs]]
An immediate likely culprit after repeated problems are the duplicate session restore files, as discussed in the above KB article.

Everytime I try to open firefox i keep getting this 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 computer"

i have restarted my computer and i have uninstalled firefox and re-installed it but i still get the same message i have also tried safe mode and it still has not worked, and i have recently gotten rid of a trojan virus

Do you still have a [http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox Firefox Profile Folder] ?
* [[Firefox is already running but is not responding]]
* http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_in_use

I have an issue that I cannot open Firefox, and I get the message "Firefox is already running..." and it says I need to close it or restart my computer.

There is a page on the support site that attempts to adress the issue...but it never says how to fix it. https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Firefox+is+already+running+but+is+not+responding
Apparently there is a problem with the "profile", and on this support page, it has a link about working with the profile...if you go to that page, is tells you where the profile is, and the many things it does...but it does NOT say actually how to fix this problem. It tells you to go the the Help tab at the top of the browser, then select "Troubleshooting", and then under Profile, select "Open Containing folder"...which brings up the folder with all the files...but from there...it doesn't say what to do. I also have gone to the Start tab at the bottom of Windows (Windows XP--I've got Firefox 3.6.9) then Run and opened the profile box...but there are no instructions on what to do to fix the problem. I can open Firefox only by going to Crtl-Alt Delete and opening the process tab and ending the Firefox process...but this is not a fix. Help! thanks...

You need "sysinternal's process explorer", it is free and can replace the Microsoft process explorer, that you get by "CTRL+ALT+DELETE". Either program will allow you to kill the instances of FF that didn't die as they should have, when you closed them. Sysinternal is easier to use, it is a graphic display with many options. Do not push "CTRL+ALT+DELETE" twice unless you want to reboot, that is its default behaviour under Microsoft.

When I try to sign in, I get a message saying its already running, and I have to restart my computer each time.

I'm not sure how much more info I can give...When I go to sign on after having been on and shutting down, I get a message indicating an application of Firefox is already running and need to shut it down or restart my computer. As Firefox is not running, I have to restart my computer each time to get back on.

Sounds like Firefox is "hanging at exit". That problem is frequently caused by an Extension or a Plugin. Read all of the following articles. 
NOTE: Establish a habit of exiting/closing Firefox with Firefox button > Exit or File > Exit to allow an orderly shutdown of Firefox and closing of all of the files that Firefox has open.
#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]
#*Mac users: http://techheavy.com/2011/02/the-mac-task-manager/
#Why Firefox may hang:
#*[http://support.mozilla.org/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.org/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 an Extension or Plugin causing the problem
#*See:
#**[[Safe Mode]] and [http://kb.mozillazine.org/Safe_Mode Safe Mode (Mozillazine)]
#**[http://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/Troubleshooting+extensions+and+themes Troubleshooting extensions and themes]
#**[http://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/Troubleshooting+plugins Troubleshooting plugins]
#**[http://support.mozilla.org/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.'''
Not related to your question, but...
You may need to update some plug-ins. Check your plug-ins and update as necessary:
*Plug-in check --> http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/plugincheck/
*Adobe Shockwave for Director Netscape plug-in: [https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/Using%20the%20Shockwave%20plugin%20with%20Firefox#w_installing-shockwave Installing ('''''or Updating''''') the Shockwave plugin with Firefox]
*'''''Adobe PDF Plug-In For Firefox and Netscape''''': [https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/Using%20the%20Adobe%20Reader%20plugin%20with%20Firefox#w_installing-and-updating-adobe-reader Installing/Updating Adobe Reader in Firefox]
*Shockwave Flash (Adobe Flash or Flash): [https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/Managing%20the%20Flash%20plugin#w_updating-flash Updating Flash in Firefox]
*'''''Next Generation Java Plug-in for Mozilla browsers''''': [https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/Using%20the%20Java%20plugin%20with%20Firefox#w_installing-or-updating-java Installing or Updating Java in Firefox]

When i exit firefox &try to reopen the message is showing as 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.why this happens even i close it by exit.

after i exit firefox & tried to open,it is not opening,instead this message is coming as '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.'kindly help me.everytime to open i have to go to task manager & stop the process.

[https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Firefox%20hangs#w_firefox-hangs-when-you-quit-it Firefox hangs when you close it]

When I close Firefox then try to open it again, it informs me it is already running and continues to do so regardless of how many times I restart the computer.

I bought a new computer. I installed Firefox 7.0 then updated to 8.0. When I was finished with Firefox, I closed it. Later when I attempted to open it I was greeted with the message Firefox is already running. It suggested I restart the computer. I did so and continued to receive the same message. Surely, shutting the computer off should close Firefox. I have to use Internet Explorer to contact you.

Sounds like Firefox is "hanging at exit". That problem is frequently caused by an Extension or a Plugin. Read all of the following articles. 
#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]
#*Mac users: http://techheavy.com/2011/02/the-mac-task-manager/
#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.'''

Whenever I try to open it, I get something like "Firefox is already running". HOWEVER, when I check my profiles folder... it is empty!

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