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Firefox crashes when I try to access YouTube and other video websites.

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by FredMcD

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I'm running the latest version of Firefox (37.01.1) on my Mac and have made sure that both my Flash Plugin and Adobe Flash are up to date, yet whenever I try to access YouTube my browser freezes and I get a Pinwheel. I then have to force quit the Firefox. I can browse fine but the moment I try to access YouTube it will freeze. Other video websites also cause this error but I can play some embedded videos on facebook just fine.

This problem has only just started happening today.

I'm running the latest version of Firefox (37.01.1) on my Mac and have made sure that both my Flash Plugin and Adobe Flash are up to date, yet whenever I try to access YouTube my browser freezes and I get a Pinwheel. I then have to force quit the Firefox. I can browse fine but the moment I try to access YouTube it will freeze. Other video websites also cause this error but I can play some embedded videos on facebook just fine. This problem has only just started happening today.

Chosen solution

Hmmm, That is very odd. What is the link you are using? Are you logged in to YouTube?

Many site issues can be caused by corrupt cookies or cache.

  • Clear the Cache and
  • Remove Cookies
    Warning ! ! This will log you out of sites you're logged in to.

Type about:preferences<Enter> in the address bar.

  • Cookies; Select Privacy. Under History, select Firefox will Use Custom Settings. Press the button on the right side called Show Cookies. Use the search bar to look for the site. Note; There may be more than one entry. Remove All of them.
  • Cache; Select Advanced > Network. Across from Cached Web Content, Press Clear Now.

If there is still a problem, Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web link} While you are in safe mode;

Type about:preferences#advanced<Enter> in the address bar.

Under Advanced, Select General. Look for and turn off Use Hardware Acceleration.

Poke around safe web sites. Are there any problems?

Then restart.

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All Replies (2)

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I've actually just discovered that I can actually watch YouTube video's as long as I say clear of the homepage. If I click a YouTube link I can watch video's and perform searches but if I go to the YouTube homepage the above situation occurs.

more options

Chosen Solution

Hmmm, That is very odd. What is the link you are using? Are you logged in to YouTube?

Many site issues can be caused by corrupt cookies or cache.

  • Clear the Cache and
  • Remove Cookies
    Warning ! ! This will log you out of sites you're logged in to.

Type about:preferences<Enter> in the address bar.

  • Cookies; Select Privacy. Under History, select Firefox will Use Custom Settings. Press the button on the right side called Show Cookies. Use the search bar to look for the site. Note; There may be more than one entry. Remove All of them.
  • Cache; Select Advanced > Network. Across from Cached Web Content, Press Clear Now.

If there is still a problem, Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web link} While you are in safe mode;

Type about:preferences#advanced<Enter> in the address bar.

Under Advanced, Select General. Look for and turn off Use Hardware Acceleration.

Poke around safe web sites. Are there any problems?

Then restart.