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Why won't Firefox open correctly when I click on the icon on my taskbar?

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  • 2 have this problem
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  • Last reply by FredMcD

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For the last week, I have been clicking on the Firefox icon that I have pinned to the taskbar. After I click on it, no window opens. The only thing that happens is 2-5 background tasks labeled 'Firefox' open (as seen in task manager) along with 'Firefox Updater' and after about 7 seconds 'Firefox Updater' disappears from the background task list and leaves the 2-5 background tasks labeled 'Firefox' open. Only after I right click on each 'Firefox' background task and click 'End Task' and then click the Firefox icon on my taskbar again will Firefox open one window. I am tired of having to repeat this process every time I want to browse with Firefox.

For the last week, I have been clicking on the Firefox icon that I have pinned to the taskbar. After I click on it, no window opens. The only thing that happens is 2-5 background tasks labeled 'Firefox' open (as seen in task manager) along with 'Firefox Updater' and after about 7 seconds 'Firefox Updater' disappears from the background task list and leaves the 2-5 background tasks labeled 'Firefox' open. Only after I right click on each 'Firefox' background task and click 'End Task' and then click the Firefox icon on my taskbar again will Firefox open one window. I am tired of having to repeat this process every time I want to browse with Firefox.

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Let’s do a full clean re-install;

System Details shows you are using Firefox 54.0.1

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/install-older-version-of-firefox?cache=no Be sure to read everything here.

If you still want to downgrade, look under; I still want to downgrade. Click the Directory of other versions and languages link. Look for the directory of the version that you want. But, remember that old versions may have security issues.

You should also check out Firefox; Extended Support Release {web link} ESR Notes System Requirements


Save the file. Then Close Firefox.

Using your file browser, open the Programs Folder on your computer.

Windows: C:\Program Files C:\Program Files (x86)

Mac: Open the "Applications" folder. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-download-and-install-firefox-mac

Linux: Check your user manual. If you installed Firefox with the distro-based package manager, you should use the same way to uninstall it. See Install Firefox on Linux; https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/install-firefox-linux

If you downloaded and installed the binary package from the Firefox download page, simply remove the folder Firefox in your home directory. http://www.mozilla.org/firefox#desktop ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Do Not remove the profiles folder.

Look for, and rename any Mozilla or Firefox program folders by adding .old to them. Do not rename the Mozilla Thunderbird folder if there is one.

After rebooting the computer, run a registry scanner if you have one. Then run the installer. If all goes well, remove the OLD folders when you are done. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ If there is a problem, start your Computer in safe mode and try again.

http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Linux+Safe+Mode This shows how to Start all Computers in Safe Mode; Free Online Encyclopedia