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Can't open html files without first closing Firefox (

Gustavo
Gustavo
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Everytime I try to open an html file, I need to first close Firefox. A message with the error message "Firefox is already running but is not responding the old firefox process must be closed" appears, and the file only opens if I select the "close" option. After the first time I do it, the problem stops and the next tries open the files without any issues. If I drag a html file to a firefox tab it also opens normaly, without any issue.

This problem started after I set up more than one profile in Firefox. The issue occur both on the default profile or other profiles.

Based on some advice I found online, I tried two solutions: - Run firefox with the -no-remote option. - Delete the parent.lock file on the profile folder.

Neither solved the problem.

Does anyone had a similar problem? Did you manage to solve it? It is a minor issue, but it happens every single day and gets very annoying.

I uploaded an screenshot of the error message that appears when I try to open the file for the first time. I also recorded a video for more details: https://imgur.com/a/P0Qpz8f

Everytime I try to open an html file, I need to first close Firefox. A message with the error message "Firefox is already running but is not responding the old firefox process must be closed" appears, and the file only opens if I select the "close" option. After the first time I do it, the problem stops and the next tries open the files without any issues. If I drag a html file to a firefox tab it also opens normaly, without any issue. This problem started after I set up more than one profile in Firefox. The issue occur both on the default profile or other profiles. Based on some advice I found online, I tried two solutions: - Run firefox with the -no-remote option. - Delete the parent.lock file on the profile folder. Neither solved the problem. Does anyone had a similar problem? Did you manage to solve it? It is a minor issue, but it happens every single day and gets very annoying. I uploaded an screenshot of the error message that appears when I try to open the file for the first time. I also recorded a video for more details: https://imgur.com/a/P0Qpz8f
Attached screenshots

Chosen solution

You need to run Firefox without the -no-remote command line switch because using this switch will hide this Firefox instance.
Also make sure that you do not have a MOZ_NO_REMOTE environment variable.

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All Replies (3)

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Chosen Solution

You need to run Firefox without the -no-remote command line switch because using this switch will hide this Firefox instance.
Also make sure that you do not have a MOZ_NO_REMOTE environment variable.

Gustavo
Gustavo Question owner
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Hi cor-el, thanks for the reply.

It worked! I did test both with and without the -no-remote parameter before, but I messed up and the firefox shortcut on my taskbar kept the -no-remote parameter.

GIlbert Bigelow
GIlbert Bigelow
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Hello Gustavo:

There is an alternative way to do this.

I use windows 10. I assume from the screen shot you do also.

Right click the file you want to open. Select "Open with" then choose the Firefox shortcut. It will open the profile manager. From there you can choose whatever profile you want including the default profile.

I do page design and open html files directly from the folder they are held in. I can see the html file I open as I do this. The html file opens in a new window of an already open and running Firefox profile/ process. Again, note that when opening an html file by right click and going through the context menu there are no issues with using an already running process. You can open the files in a new window or a new tab of an already running process. Go into the option of firefox menu and on the general tab and toggle box with "Open links in tabs instead of new windows"

Modified by GIlbert Bigelow