Firefox will not open. Hangs at "connecting" stage. Non-responsive even to process shut-down via task manager.
Starting yesterday, Firefox will not open at all. It hangs at the "connecting stage." For hours. It will not shut down even using the task manager for applications or processes, and it locks up virtually every other application. I thought I managed to save an open Word document yesterday - it looked like a slow, but normal save during the Firefox hang, but the document was empty when I restarted my computer.
Even though my machine is not pentium 4 based, I tried starting using the Windows XP/M configuration, I downloaded and re-installed (over the top of) the existing version, I verified that no Mozilla processes were running before trying to start Mozilla, and tried creating a new profile. Absolutely no success. Every time (of the dozens) I have tried to start Firefox I have had to force a hard shut-down to get out of the application. I have now unpinned Firefox from my task bar because I keep forgetting and hitting it by reflex.
I am running version 11.0 (at least that is what I just downloaded - I am not positive what I was running yesterday). My system is Windows 7 Home Premium, Intel Core i3, 2.4 gHz, 4 GB RAM, 64 bit OS.
Next option is to restore to a previous version. If that doesn't work, I will uninstall and start over from scratch.
Chosen solution
I disabled AVG (Anti-virus Free 2012) for 10 minutes, opened Firefox and browsed a bit. Shut down the browser, waited until the temporarily disabled AVG enabled itself again, and started Firefox again. Now it connects perfectly - several times faster than it did prior to this incident (I installed v 12.0; previous version was 11.0). I use the Microsoft firewall, so although the firewall solution suggested above did not work, it put me on the right track.
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A possible cause is security software (firewall) that blocks or restricts Firefox or the plugin-container process without informing you, possibly after detecting changes (update) to the Firefox program.
Remove all rules for Firefox and the plugin-container from the permissions list in the firewall and let your firewall ask again for permission to get full unrestricted access to internet for Firefox and the plugin-container process and the updater process.
See:
Thanks! But unfortunately, 4 hard shutdowns later, that does not resolver the problem.
I have now done a complete uninstall (including deleting profile information, and not importing anything form anywhere) and reinstall with version 12.0. No improvement. :(
I've narrowed the problem down - it is a new incompatibility with AVG anti-virus. There is at least one known incompatibility, but it has not previously impacted using the browser - just certain scanning features. (And it does not impact using Firefox on a different, slightly older, computer.) I temporarily disabled the protection, and was able to connect - now I just have to find the specific incompatibility.
Chosen Solution
I disabled AVG (Anti-virus Free 2012) for 10 minutes, opened Firefox and browsed a bit. Shut down the browser, waited until the temporarily disabled AVG enabled itself again, and started Firefox again. Now it connects perfectly - several times faster than it did prior to this incident (I installed v 12.0; previous version was 11.0). I use the Microsoft firewall, so although the firewall solution suggested above did not work, it put me on the right track.