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I can't get to any websites using Firefox or IE but AOL works fine.

  • 1 reply
  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by FredMcD

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When I open Firefox or IE, the home pages are fine but then both just hang without loading any websites. Both just show the progress wheel circling. Sometimes clockwise green and sometimes counter clockwise gray. No issues with AOL. Problem started a couple of days ago after a scheduled computer update. Before that, I would get messages on Firefox that shockwave plugin and/or java plugins stopped working or crashed but would still be able to access sites like ebay. I've repeatedly uninstalled and reinstalled Firefox which would work for briefly and then revert back to nothing happening. Repeatedly restarting the computer would allow both browsers to access a site or two and then they would freeze. Ran a full scan on Norton with no problems or malware discovered. Updated Java and I've also checked to see that there was no problem with the firewall and also reset the winsock. Help?

When I open Firefox or IE, the home pages are fine but then both just hang without loading any websites. Both just show the progress wheel circling. Sometimes clockwise green and sometimes counter clockwise gray. No issues with AOL. Problem started a couple of days ago after a scheduled computer update. Before that, I would get messages on Firefox that shockwave plugin and/or java plugins stopped working or crashed but would still be able to access sites like ebay. I've repeatedly uninstalled and reinstalled Firefox which would work for briefly and then revert back to nothing happening. Repeatedly restarting the computer would allow both browsers to access a site or two and then they would freeze. Ran a full scan on Norton with no problems or malware discovered. Updated Java and I've also checked to see that there was no problem with the firewall and also reset the winsock. Help?

All Replies (1)

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There are two things to check.


  • 1

Network Proxy

Type about:preferences<Enter> in the address bar.

Select Advanced > Network. Look for Configure How Firefox Connects and press the Settings button. Check the settings.


  • 2

Some problems occurs when your Internet security program was set to trust the previous version of Firefox, but no longer recognizes your updated version as trusted. Now how to fix the problem: To allow Firefox to connect to the Internet again;

  • Make sure your Internet security software is up-to-date (i.e. you are running the latest version).
  • Remove Firefox from your program's list of trusted or recognized programs. For detailed instructions, see

Configure firewalls so that Firefox can access the Internet. {web link}