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Other FF windows go black sometimes when streaming audio (and maybe video)

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This problem happens on two computers, on one it regularly happens when streaming audio podcasts, on the other (where I don't stream these podcasts), it happens when streaming video. It is occasional and by no means happens every time something is streaming, but occurs perhaps once a day on each PC. Both PCs run Windows 7 x64 with the latest Firefox. Both are running late generation Intel i5 processors with integrated audio/video, and updated drivers.

When streaming audio or video in one FF window, another FF window may suddenly go blank, where the window frame still shows, but the entire body is black. If I close that blank window, the problem often, but not always, moves to another window that is open. Closing all FF windows fixes the problem until it occurs the next time, which may be hours of activity later. This is a problem that began in the last few months. These PCs are also new in about that time frame, so it's not clear whether the onset of this problem might be due to recent FF releases, or FF conflicts with drivers in these new machines. I run a handful of 3rd party FF extensions that are common to both PCs as well.

This problem happens on two computers, on one it regularly happens when streaming audio podcasts, on the other (where I don't stream these podcasts), it happens when streaming video. It is occasional and by no means happens every time something is streaming, but occurs perhaps once a day on each PC. Both PCs run Windows 7 x64 with the latest Firefox. Both are running late generation Intel i5 processors with integrated audio/video, and updated drivers. When streaming audio or video in one FF window, another FF window may suddenly go blank, where the window frame still shows, but the entire body is black. If I close that blank window, the problem often, but not always, moves to another window that is open. Closing all FF windows fixes the problem until it occurs the next time, which may be hours of activity later. This is a problem that began in the last few months. These PCs are also new in about that time frame, so it's not clear whether the onset of this problem might be due to recent FF releases, or FF conflicts with drivers in these new machines. I run a handful of 3rd party FF extensions that are common to both PCs as well.

All Replies (1)

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Hello,

Try Firefox Safe Mode to see if the problem goes away. Firefox Safe Mode is a troubleshooting mode that temporarily turns off hardware acceleration, resets some settings, and disables add-ons (extensions and themes).

If Firefox is open, you can restart in Firefox Safe Mode from the Help menu:

  • Click the menu button New Fx Menu, click Help Help-29 and select Restart with Add-ons Disabled.

If Firefox is not running, you can start Firefox in Safe Mode as follows:

  • On Windows: Hold the Shift key when you open the Firefox desktop or Start menu shortcut.
  • On Mac: Hold the option key while starting Firefox.
  • On Linux: Quit Firefox, go to your Terminal and run firefox -safe-mode
    (you may need to specify the Firefox installation path e.g. /usr/lib/firefox)

When the Firefox Safe Mode window appears, select "Start in Safe Mode".

SafeMode-Fx35

If the issue is not present in Firefox Safe Mode, your problem is probably caused by an extension, theme, or hardware acceleration. Please follow the steps in the Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems article to find the cause.

To exit Firefox Safe Mode, just close Firefox and wait a few seconds before opening Firefox for normal use again.

When you figure out what's causing your issues, please let us know. It might help others with the same problem.