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Firefox can't move tabs around anymore after update 21.0 even after rest.

  • 10 replies
  • 28 have this problem
  • 41 views
  • Last reply by cor-el

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I can't move the tabs around after update 21.0 even after resetting Firefox. Previous add-ons before reset were:

adblock plus 1-click youtube downloader firebug google redesigned open with photoshop personas plus personas rotator restartless restart unfriend finder 41.998 youtube high definition 5.8

I can't move the tabs around after update 21.0 even after resetting Firefox. Previous add-ons before reset were: adblock plus 1-click youtube downloader firebug google redesigned open with photoshop personas plus personas rotator restartless restart unfriend finder 41.998 youtube high definition 5.8

Chosen solution

If it happens again then try to close and restart Firefox.

I've seen this issue before in Firefox 3.6 versions and there the only cure was to close and restart.

Read this answer in context 👍 2

All Replies (10)

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Do you mean that you can't drag tabs along the tab bar to reposition them?

Are you using a custom theme?

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.

Boot the computer in Windows Safe Mode with network support (press F8 on the boot screen) as a test to see if that helps.

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Yes, that is what I mean. No, I'm not using a custom theme and starting neither the computer or Firefox in safe mode helps.

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Yes, that is what I mean. No, I'm not using a custom theme and starting neither the computer or Firefox in safe mode helps.

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thats odd. it just problem just dissappeared. thanks anyway

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Chosen Solution

If it happens again then try to close and restart Firefox.

I've seen this issue before in Firefox 3.6 versions and there the only cure was to close and restart.

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I have this problem too since I upgraded to 21. Restarting does not solve it, and I can't drag and drop in safe mode either.

I have noticed that drag and drop has stopped working elsewhere in Firefox, too. Specifically, I can no longer drag and drop images, which I used to use often for making Google image searches. Since upgrading to FF21 I can no longer drag images around. The workaround for that is hugely annoying. I haven't yet found a workaround for being unable to move the tabs, though. :-(

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2013 sept 09 I had the same problem. Can't move anymore the tabs along the tab bar nor between firefox's windows. I do not remenber when it started but I was expecting that updates solves the problem. Did not happened Today I felt the lack of this feature (I am so lazy....) and planked to search the workaround.

config: x86_64 3.10.10-200 Fedora 19 // Gnome3.8 // full update // no test or rawhide pkg firefox23.0.1 +adds MacOs-theme (grayed because incompatibility with version)

"workaround":
- removed ALL the grayed add-ons,
- tryed to restart Firefox with the "restart" add-on but had no response

(add-on=restore firefox 0.5 -Firefox menu - the add-on is not grayed)

- in konsole : killall -s KILL firefox
- started firefox again
- got the "Well this is embarrassing..." welcome page
- choosen to restore what was opened
- previous tabs and windows re opened normally
- tabs return free to be dragged around the tab bar AND between windows.

So I can confirm that: 1. The problem still exist today (2013 sept 09) with my config
2. The suggest workaround had worked for me.

Thanks.
Lo.Call


Please defend your privacy, use PGP, it free.
Privacy and freedom are short tied, are you ready to loose it?

[links removed by moderator]

Modified by cor-el

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I am having trouble following your instructions. Maybe because I am working in Windows, not on a Mac? I do not know what konsole is.

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whoau !!! do you know what ? You are ABSOLUTELY right ! I sincerely apologize.

What it happenned is:

I have left the Windows Sphere long time ago, just fed up because the lack of security, the viruses, the datas lost, the time that it was consumming to me to just keep the things running ...

Since I have migrated to linux (ALL my PCs, Server, Users and my Mom and Father, and my Dog, and my Cofee machine) I am at the end happy and enjoying this tek stuffs. I am able to do all what I was doing before, we have more stuff really pro, a lot of new options, more fun, and almost all under control.

So, yes, I have just forgotten Windows. My bad. That for the explanation, but thanks, you picked up the point.

So... let's go, this time including "Windows": "konsole" for Linux (KDE) is "console" for Windows. some call that "DOS" but it is an error, the right name is the "console"

In the console, one can do ALL. It is not "nice" and "eye candy" like in graphical interface but the control is more advanced.

In fact the same operation could be done in the "normal" taskmanager that come with windows. But in the case something interfere with the operation, the "normal" taskmanager give NO FEED BACK MESSAGES!

The console way is far more verbose. At the end, we just want to know what's going on...

The console is NOT something complicated. Who have tryed to make you believe that the console is "so much complicated..." was only trying to " throw dust in your eyes " to appear him self as "goooood".

Follow me, it is simple! Yes, there are steps, and steps, and steps, and more steps, stupid but simples ...steps, that's all. That's the walking solutions...

ok.

What you are going to do is END ABRUPTLY firefox insteed of using some "restart" add-ons that could not work. (like it was for me). We want to explore the firefox ability to auto reopen the tabs there were opened.

This operation to END ABRUPTLY a program is called KILL (in all systems)

1. Open the console

  • - start -> run -> CMD
  • - (shortcut : [metakey]+[ r ] and write CMD)

2. at the prompt, get the PID of firefox

  • - tasklist

or

  • -tasklist | more


3. at the prompt : use taskkill and the PID of firefox

  • (PID of firefox ex 678)
  • taskkill /PID 678

and voilà.

  • close the console
  • write at the prompt : exit , strike enter or click the the top right window icon

Lanch Firefox again and it must work.

If in your version of windows "taskill" and "tasklist" is buggy or not well installed:


I HAVE TO remember you that the KILL operation is NOT the workaround to the locked TABS issue. The KILL operation is just a short to CLOSE firefox without using some buggy "restart" add-ons and re open the bunch of tabs that where opened.

The WORKAROUND to the LOCKED TABS issue is to DISABLE or REMOVE/UNINSTALL the add-ons grayed or shown as not compatible and restart firefox.

If you want more help or info, just ask for.

Thanks. Bye. Lo.Call


  • Please defend your privacy, use PGP, it free.
  • Privacy and freedom are short tied, are you ready to loose it?
  • [since the link are remove by the moderator (that I cordialy salute ;-) ],
  • try in google, "PGP explained".
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You should also be able to kill Firefox via the Windows Task Manager (Shift+Ctrl+ESC)

Boot the computer in Windows Safe Mode with network support (press F8 on the boot screen) as a test to see if that helps.


You can create a new profile as a test to check if your current profile is causing the problems.

See "Creating a profile":

If the new profile works then you can transfer some files from an existing profile to the new profile, but be cautious not to copy corrupted files to avoid carrying over the problem.