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.

Avatar for Username

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

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

Browser under Remote Control

  • 8 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by cor-el

klg61
klg61
more options

I keep getting this: URL is highlighted red/grey stripes. The robot head icon is now in the URL box and it says "Browser is under remote control (reason Dev Tools).

What is it? how do I get rid of it?

I keep getting this: URL is highlighted red/grey stripes. The robot head icon is now in the URL box and it says "Browser is under remote control (reason Dev Tools). What is it? how do I get rid of it?

All Replies (8)

TyDraniu
TyDraniu
  • Top 25 Contributor
more options

Do you start firefox with any command line parameter?

This is an indicator that the browser is being controlled from out-of-process, e.g. when Marionette or the remote debugging protocol is used.

klg61
klg61 Question owner
more options

I start FF with icon on my task bar. How is someone/something able to control my browser? HOw do I stop it?

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 25 Contributor
more options

klg61 said
I start FF with icon on my task bar.

Right-click that shortcut, click Properties, then Windows should display the dialog with the Shortcut tab focused. What does the Target line say? Here's what is normal for 64-bit Windows -- no extra stuff:

"C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 25 Contributor
more options

Oh, if it's a pinned shortcut, there are two right-clicks:

Right-click the button, then right-click Mozilla Firefox, then right-click Properties.

klg61
klg61 Question owner
more options

This message just started happening: "Browser under remote control (reason dev tools)." There is a robot in the left side with red and grey stripes.

I am so confused I've tried all the suggestions above. What is it? Why did it just start happening? Is my security compromised? Firefox you really need to put something out about this especially for those who are not tech savy.

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 25 Contributor
more options

Did you confirm that the shortcut you use to start Firefox doesn't have any command-line switches?

gallagherpharmd01
gallagherpharmd01
more options

Like others, every time I restart firefox it's under remote control - devtools. I tried to delete the user.js file and create my own. I tried to use about config to reset dev tools to: devtools.chrome.enabled false devtools.debugger.prompt-connection true devtools.debugger.remote-enabled false

but they revert back to true, false, true.

I changed them in my profile too, but they re-set in there also

I have tried to reinstall firefox multiple times. Please help.

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

Does the user.js file that set these prefs reappear if you remove this file ? Normally deleting this user.js file and resetting the involved prefs on the about:config page should be sufficient.

If that doesn't work then try to set the prefs via user.js to their default values and make the file read-only.

  • devtools.chrome.enabled (false)
  • devtools.debugger.prompt (true)
  • devtools.debugger.remote-enabled (false)

You can do a malware scan just to be sure.