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Two Problems: Unauthorized tab openings and tabs not starting.

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  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by cor-el

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Since updating to Firefox 8 I noticed that sometimes when I entered a new webpage or started a new tab, nothing would happen until I clicked on the REFRESH icon. (The new page or tab would come up with the correct address, but nothing would happen until I clicked on REFRESH). This problem has continued now that I have tried Firefox 9.0 beta.

Also, I have traditionally preferred Firefox over Internet Explorer because it has felt more secure and less likely to open up unwanted windows or tabs. However, since updating to 8.1(?) and now 9.0 I have noticed new webpages (seemingly unrelated to the one I was looking at) now routinely open. For example, I will be viewing a webpage listing television listings or prices on a commercial website and suddenly a new tab will open touting some unrelated service or news outlet. (And yes, my virus protection service, Trend Micro) is up to date).

Since updating to Firefox 8 I noticed that sometimes when I entered a new webpage or started a new tab, nothing would happen until I clicked on the REFRESH icon. (The new page or tab would come up with the correct address, but nothing would happen until I clicked on REFRESH). This problem has continued now that I have tried Firefox 9.0 beta. Also, I have traditionally preferred Firefox over Internet Explorer because it has felt more secure and less likely to open up unwanted windows or tabs. However, since updating to 8.1(?) and now 9.0 I have noticed new webpages (seemingly unrelated to the one I was looking at) now routinely open. For example, I will be viewing a webpage listing television listings or prices on a commercial website and suddenly a new tab will open touting some unrelated service or news outlet. (And yes, my virus protection service, Trend Micro) is up to date).

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Start Firefox in Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode to check if one of the extensions or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox (Tools) > Add-ons > Appearance/Themes).


Create a new profile as a test to check if your current profile is causing the problems.

See "Basic Troubleshooting: Make a new profile":

There may be extensions and plugins installed by default in a new profile, so check that in "Tools > Add-ons > Extensions & Plugins" in case there are still problems.

If that new profile works then you can transfer some files from the old profile to that new profile, but be careful not to copy corrupted files.

See: