Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Why does Firefox not open my windows and tabs from last time until I have tried starting 3 or 4 times?

  • 5 replies
  • 32 have this problem
  • 16 views
  • Last reply by guigs

more options

I have this problem with opening Firefox: My Startup options are set to "When Firefox starts: Show my windows and tabs from last time" However, each time I start Firefox, by clicking the icon in the Taskbar, it opens with a single blank tab. I repeat this using "Open New Window" and when I have up to 3 windows, all with single blank tabs open, I close them all. Once more I use "Open New Window" which only then opens with my windows and tabs from last time. Naturally, this induces initial panic each time, because I dread the thought of losing all my current tabs. What is going on here? How can I fix it? < Firefox 27.0.1 with Windows 7 Home Premium.>

I have this problem with opening Firefox: My Startup options are set to "When Firefox starts: Show my windows and tabs from last time" However, each time I start Firefox, by clicking the icon in the Taskbar, it opens with a single blank tab. I repeat this using "Open New Window" and when I have up to 3 windows, all with single blank tabs open, I close them all. Once more I use "Open New Window" which only then opens with my windows and tabs from last time. Naturally, this induces initial panic each time, because I dread the thought of losing all my current tabs. What is going on here? How can I fix it? < Firefox 27.0.1 with Windows 7 Home Premium.>

All Replies (5)

more options

Hi really.again, Thank you for your question. When you open a new window all the tabs load from last time too? On startup do you have the same tabs show up? The tabs will not load until you click them is a setting as well in the Preferences > Tabs > "Don't load until..." but what you are describing sounds odd, like two things are trying to happen at the same time.

There are some troubleshooting steps we can take:

More down this road if nothing turns up https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/d.../Debugger starting Firefox in debug mode to find any error messages can reveal more info as well.

more options

Can you open the previous session via "History > Restore Previous Session" ?

more options

I also have this problem and until a solution is found I recommend using the Firefox extension Session Manager.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/session-manager/

more options

This started happening to me with the upgrade to v30. Previously, new windows did the proper thing of showing previous tabs/windows.

I have history on, not in private mode, and have cleared cache.

more options

@triccare the add on mentioned does make a back up of every session in a profile folder. However if you do not clear the cache, can you see the windows from last time?