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.

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

Firefox uses all bandwidth while downloading, making websurfing impossible.

more options

When downloading a file or multiple files, Firefox uses all available bandwidth. This is very good but makes other webtraffic, like visiting homepages at the same time impossible (server timeout). My current workaround is to pause downloads when I have to do something online and resume them afterwards. I do sorely miss the pause download button. I can't be the only one who ever used it ! The right-click, pause gets really annoying with multiple files. Plus the cancel option is right below resume, making accidental cancellations of big downloads a major nuissance.

I'd love to know a way to limit the download bandwidth usage dynamically or at least with some presets so that there is still enough bandwidth left to visit webpages while downloading.

Limiters I came across so far were only limiting the network usage generally without distinguishing downloads from regular webtraffic.

...any ideas?

When downloading a file or multiple files, Firefox uses all available bandwidth. This is very good but makes other webtraffic, like visiting homepages at the same time impossible (server timeout). My current workaround is to pause downloads when I have to do something online and resume them afterwards. I do sorely miss the pause download button. I can't be the only one who ever used it ! The right-click, pause gets really annoying with multiple files. Plus the cancel option is right below resume, making accidental cancellations of big downloads a major nuissance. I'd love to know a way to limit the download bandwidth usage dynamically or at least with some presets so that there is still enough bandwidth left to visit webpages while downloading. Limiters I came across so far were only limiting the network usage generally without distinguishing downloads from regular webtraffic. ...any ideas?

All Replies (4)

more options

You can use an external Download Manager if you need download features not offered by the Firefox Download Manager.

You can use the FlashGot extension to integrate an external Download Manager in Firefox.

more options

Thanks cor-el.

I may need to do another round of add-on testing. Years back GetRight and FlashGet were adware bloated and I kicked them out. Some even said they were spyware, though neither know I for sure nor have I any idea what they are like today.( but "fool me once...")

I was hoping that either there is some FF setting or that someone knows of a way/specific tool JUST for the purpose of limiting the bandwidth separately for download and other webtraffic. (it really doesn't have to be a full blown download manager with all the often useless "features"...I do like simplicity, if it's clever)

more options

Maybe have a look at this extension:

more options

Cool, thanks again cor-el!

That has the limiter I was looking for.

It doesn't support authentication / login though. Always something isn't it... but it works on other sites.

Halfway there.

I'm still mad though that the "pause" button is gone. Actually, that it was nuked without a simple "advanced" user setting/customization.

Essentially it's also the condescending attitude of the devs in not allowing even that tiny choice !

Except for the limiter function (very handy, thanks) and UI cosmetics that is why I'm now forced to waste my time searching the web and installing add-ons just to get my workflow/ease of use back.

Sorry, it really bothers me that my beloved FF is gone and the devs attitude is no different than all the other corporations to which FF/Mozilla was an alternative.


I switched to Pale Moon(my first browser change since over a decade) and while the UI is as I like it again, the old download manager doesn't pick up all, some still use the new one. (have to tell Moonchild)

...sorry for switching to rantmode again...