This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Only the menu bar appears since update to 18.0.1; no windows. If you press command-N for a new window, nothing happens.

  • 4 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 57 views
  • Last reply by jperkins71

more options

Not much else I can say. A window appeared yesterday to the effect that Firefox had downloaded an update and was ready to restart. When it did, there was no window, no homescreen, nothing but the menu bar. If I click on any of the File menu options (command-T, N, L, or O), absolutely nothing happens. I still only have the menu bar.

Not much else I can say. A window appeared yesterday to the effect that Firefox had downloaded an update and was ready to restart. When it did, there was no window, no homescreen, nothing but the menu bar. If I click on any of the File menu options (command-T, N, L, or O), absolutely nothing happens. I still only have the menu bar.

Chosen solution

The Reset Firefox feature can fix many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information. Note: This will cause you to lose any Extensions, Open websites, and some Preferences.

To Reset Firefox do the following:

  1. Go to Firefox > Help > Troubleshooting Information.
  2. Click the "Reset Firefox" button.
  3. Firefox will close and reset. After Firefox is done, it will show a window with the information that is imported. Click Finish.
  4. Firefox will open with all factory defaults applied.


Further information can be found in the Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings article.

Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (4)

more options

Try to repair the disk permissions:

Try to remove the Firefox plist file (org.mozilla.firefox.plist).

Go to "~/Library/Preferences" and remove the plist file for Firefox (org.mozilla.firefox.plist)


Try to start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions (Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance).

  • Do NOT click the Reset button on the Safe mode start window or otherwise make changes.

You can use one of these to start Firefox in Safe mode:

  • On Windows, hold down the Shift key while starting Firefox with a double-click on the Firefox desktop shortcut
  • On Mac, hold down the Options key while starting Firefox
  • Help > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
more options

okay, I repaired the disk permissions, which did need repairing. I deleted the plist file. I started Firefox in Safe Mode, which worked, but then what? If I try to start it in non-safe mode, I still get no windows. Do I always have to start it in safe mode now?

more options

Chosen Solution

The Reset Firefox feature can fix many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information. Note: This will cause you to lose any Extensions, Open websites, and some Preferences.

To Reset Firefox do the following:

  1. Go to Firefox > Help > Troubleshooting Information.
  2. Click the "Reset Firefox" button.
  3. Firefox will close and reset. After Firefox is done, it will show a window with the information that is imported. Click Finish.
  4. Firefox will open with all factory defaults applied.


Further information can be found in the Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings article.

Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!

more options

Thanks, Tylerdowner! That fixed the problem.