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When I exit Firefox, I have to restart my computer to open Firefox again. How do I fix this?

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  • Last reply by FredMcD

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I start Firefox and when I exit and try to log back in, I get a message stating that Firefox is running and I need to restart my system. My operating system is Windows XP

I start Firefox and when I exit and try to log back in, I get a message stating that Firefox is running and I need to restart my system. My operating system is Windows XP

All Replies (4)

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Hello, jpcord047

Try Firefox Safe Mode to see if the problem goes away. Firefox Safe Mode is a troubleshooting mode that turns off some settings, disables most add-ons (extensions and themes).

If Firefox is open, you can restart in Firefox Safe Mode from the Help menu:

  • In Firefox 29.0 and above, click the menu button New Fx Menu, click Help Help-29 and select Restart with Add-ons Disabled.
  • In previous Firefox versions, click on the Firefox button at the top left of the Firefox window and click on Help (or click on Help in the Menu bar, if you don't have a Firefox button) then click on Restart with Add-ons Disabled.

If Firefox is not running, you can start Firefox in Safe Mode as follows:

  • On Windows: Hold the Shift key when you open the Firefox desktop or Start menu shortcut.
  • On Mac: Hold the option key while starting Firefox.
  • On Linux: Quit Firefox, go to your Terminal and run firefox -safe-mode
    (you may need to specify the Firefox installation path e.g. /usr/lib/firefox)

When the Firefox Safe Mode window appears, select "Start in Safe Mode".
Safe Mode Fx 15 - Win

If the issue is not present in Firefox Safe Mode, your problem is probably caused by an extension, and you need to figure out which one. Please follow the Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems article to find the cause.

To exit Firefox Safe Mode, just close Firefox and wait a few seconds before opening Firefox for normal use again.

When you figure out what's causing your issues, please let us know. It might help others with the same problem.

Thank you, Apoorv

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You can open the Windows Task Manager > Processes tab and kill the hung firefox.exe process.

Can be caused by clearing browsing history on shutdown. There is a fix for that in Firefox 30 which is scheduled for release next Tuesday June 10th.

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Your System Details shows;

Installed Plug-ins

Shockwave Flash 13.0 r0 Shockwave Flash 10.0 r22

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From what I have been reading from other posts on this forum, the issue may be caused by the clear history settings.

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 Privacy.

The button next to History, select Use Custom Settings.

At the bottom of the page, turn on Clear History When Firefox Closes. At the far right, press the Settings button. Turn on ONLY Cache and Form And Search History leaving the others off.

This is not a cure but will make it easier if Firefox locks up. https://support.mozilla.org/questions/997866?esab=a&s=&r=1&as=s {web link}