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can't open links from external applications if Firefox is already open

  • 3 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 6 views
  • Last reply by cor-el

jlgg
jlgg
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If I want to open a link from anything external, text editor, desktop shortcut, applications, etc., while Firefox is running, I have to close Firefox and then click on the link, which will then open Firefox. This is an ongoing and intermittent problem that can't always be duplicated and seems to occur most often after Firefox has updated, but I am asking for a resolution or workaround now because there hasn't been a recent update and Firefox is once again ignoring outside links when running, and only opening them if I have completely closed Firefox. This is annoying and unnecessary and of course if I change default browser to Chrome or IE, external links will open in those browsers with no problem while those browsers are running.

If I want to open a link from anything external, text editor, desktop shortcut, applications, etc., while Firefox is running, I have to close Firefox and then click on the link, which will then open Firefox. This is an ongoing and intermittent problem that can't always be duplicated and seems to occur most often after Firefox has updated, but I am asking for a resolution or workaround now because there hasn't been a recent update and Firefox is once again ignoring outside links when running, and only opening them if I have completely closed Firefox. This is annoying and unnecessary and of course if I change default browser to Chrome or IE, external links will open in those browsers with no problem while those browsers are running.

All Replies (3)

Tonnes
Tonnes
  • Locale Leader
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This can happen if you added the -no-remote command line option to the regular startup link for Firefox, possibly in order to make the Profile manager’s Launch profile in new browser button work on Windows. Deleting that switch should fix it.

jlgg
jlgg Question owner
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thanks, that switch wasn't added, but it's working again now, as I said it's an intermittent problem and it's annoying af till it works again for no reason

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Do you only have one Firefox shortcut you use to start Firefox in case you have more than one and some may have -no-remote?

You can also check for a MOZ_NO_REMOTE=1 environment variable.

Note that you can always drag a link to the plus button on the Tab bar to open the link in a new tab.