First instance of Firefox locked/will not accept focus or mouse clicks
This is a problem in Win XP on a Dell laptop that has been running Firefox for 3 years with no problems. This situation initially occurred with Firefox v3.16 - I upgraded to v4 but still have the same problem.
When I launch Firefox, it launches & loads my last set of web sites, but then will not accept any mouse input or even become the active window. I cannot change tabs or even close the window except thru the Task Manager. I can open a 2nd Firefox window & it behaves normally. However, the first window sits on the desktop and I can't do anything with it. If I use Task Manager to close the 1st (non-responding) instance, any other instance is also closed (even tho the 2nd window is shown as a separate instance in the Applications tab). Right-clicking on the Start Bar icon for the 1st instance will cause the window to come to the front, right-clicks do nothing.
So I have 2 windows, 1 which cannot even be minimized, and I cannot save my browsing session as the non-responding instance is always the last one to close. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!
Thank you, Gary
All Replies (3)
Sorry this is not a problem I am familiar with, although I do use Firefox 3.6 and firefox 4.0 an Windows XP myself.
Someone may come up with an answer, meanwhile my initial thoughts are that it may be worth looking at the articles
- Basic troubleshooting
- Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode
- when using Safe Mode, on the first dialogue Window do not change anything, just click on the continue button
- firefox hangs
I have this problem too with Firefox 4.0 on WinXP SP3.
The best workaround I have found is to enable Xmouse behavior in TweakUI
Then, when firefox 'forgets' that it has focus you can move the mouse to another application window (open one if needed), that will switch focus to the other app. Then move back to firefox. That stop the madness.
Using Alt-Tab to cycle through applications sometimes works for me too.
None of this provides an acceptable fix. Best not to put up with it for long! It is too irritating.
Glad you have a partial solution to your own problem.
- Do you have any any idea what is causing it?
- Have you tried any of the troubleshooting steps ?
Would I be correct in guessing that if you have had to use a PowerToy that you have similar problems with your setup even when Firefox is not in use.