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What is wrong when you try to open a new tab, but the new tab does not appear?

  • 2 cavab
  • 2 have this problem
  • 8 views
  • Last reply by dynamite

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I have been trying to open up multiple websites by using the "open a new tab" button. When I do this, no new tab appears. Please help.

I have been trying to open up multiple websites by using the "open a new tab" button. When I do this, no new tab appears. Please help.

All Replies (2)

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There is a reported incompatibility between the Ask Toolbar and Firefox 3.6.13 that causes new tabs to not open. Disable or remove the Ask Toolbar until Ask fixes the incompatibility.


You have an item installed that is considered malware/spyware/adware. To see the Plugins reported with your question, click "More system details..." to the right of your original question or, on the Firefox menu, click Tools > Add-ons > Plugins.

  • My Web Search Plugin Stub for 32-bit Windows

This type of pest is usually installed along with software you download from the internet; generally free programs, but not always. Carefully watch for "extra" items that will be installed and un-check or opt-out of them.

  1. You can check to see if you have any of these from Web Products" installed:
  2. Also see: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Uninstalling_toolbars
  3. You MAY need to change a preference if when typing one or two words in the URL/Location/Address Bar sends you to some search page other than the one you expect. To reset your default URL/location bar search provider:
    • Enter about:config in the address/URL bar and press the Enter key
    • If you see a warning, accept it (Promise that you will be careful)
    • Filter = keyword.URL
    • Below the Filter, if keyword.URL is bold, right-click on keyword.URL and choose "Reset"
    • Restart Firefox (File > Restart Firefox)
    • See: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Keyword.url
  4. You MAY need to reset your homepage if some search page that you do not want or expect opens when you start Firefox. Firefox can open multiple home pages. Home pages are separated by the "|" symbol.

Other issues that need your attention

The information submitted with your question indicates that you have out of date plugins with known security and stability issues that should be updated. To see the plugins submitted with your question, click "More system details..." to the right of your original question post. You can also see your plugins from the Firefox menu, Tools > Add-ons > Plugins.

  • Adobe PDF Plug-In For Firefox and Netscape "9.4.1"
  • Next Generation Java Plug-in 1.6.0_21 for Mozilla browsers
    • 3 updates behind
    • Security release 1.6.0_24 released 2011-02-10
  1. Check your plugin versions: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/
    • Note: plugin check page does not have information on all plugin versions
  2. 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):
      • Use the links below to avoid getting the troublesome "getplus" Adobe Download Manager and other "extras" you may not want
      • Use Firefox to download and SAVE the installer to your hard drive from the appropriate link below
      • Click "Save to File"; save to your Desktop (so you can find it)
      • After download completes, close Firefox
      • Click the installer you just downloaded and allow the install to continue
        • Note: Vista and Win7 users may need to right-click the installer and choose "Run as Administrator"
      • Download link: ftp://ftp.adobe.com/pub/adobe/reader/
        • Choose your OS
        • Choose the latest #.x version (example 9.x, for version 9)
        • Choose the highest number version listed
          • NOTE: 10.x is the new Adobe Reader X (Windows and Mac only as of this posting)
        • Choose your language
        • Download the file, SAVE it to your hard drive, when complete, close Firefox, click on the installer you just downloaded and let it install.
        • Windows: choose the .exe file; Mac: choose the .dmg file
    • Using either of the links below will force you to install the "getPlus" Adobe Download Manager. Also be sure to uncheck the McAfee Scanner if you do not want the link forcibly installed on your desktop
    • After the installation, start Firefox and check your version again.
  3. Update the Java plugin to the latest version.
more options

Please uninstall or disable the Ask Toolbar extension to solve your problem.