Hi,

Please try a Ctrl + F5 refresh. You may also have to Clear Now the Cache and Cookies with Time range to clear set to Everything via Tools (Alt + T) > Clear Recent History.

If you have security software (antivirus, firewall etc.) installed, you can try deleting all existing instances of Firefox and its related processes/files in all the different configuration modules/areas of the security software like process monitoring, sub/spawned process control, virtualization, HIPS etc., in addition to the security software's main configuration panel. Instead create new fully allowed/trusted rules for Firefox + its related processes in all the different modules/panels - a genuine/original Firefox installer as well as all the installed EXEs (Application) and DLLs (Application extension) are digitally signed by Mozilla Corporation (right-click > Properties > Digital Signatures). Even otherwise, some security software may also ask again when Firefox and/or its sub processes are started, and you may be able to allow/trust at that time. Please see this.

AV/Firewalls Configuration

If the problem persists, you can reset Firefox and start afresh.

The Reset Firefox feature can fix many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information. Note: This will cause you to lose any Extensions, Open websites, and some Preferences.

To Reset Firefox do the following:

1. Go to Firefox > Help > Troubleshooting Information.
2. Click the "Reset Firefox" button.
3. Firefox will close and reset. After Firefox is done, it will show a window with the information that is imported. Click Finish.
4. Firefox will open with all factory defaults applied.

Further information can be found in the Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings article.

Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!

If you would like to save a listing of the add-ons, important modified preferences/settings etc. to quickly replicate the previous profile, please Copy all to clipboard (on the left of the reset button), and paste it into Office Excel, or OpenOffice/LibreOffice Calc, or notepad. However, it would be a good idea to check for the existence of the issue immediately after the reset.

Thank you for your response. I tried the ctrl + F5 refresh and it did not fix the problem. I don't have the option to Clear Recent History/Clear Now the cache, possibly because of my browser settings: tell websites I do not want to be tracked, I don't accept third party cookies, always use private browsing mode, and I use CCleaner every time I close my browser. My Windows firewall is set to allow an exception for Firefox. Avast is my antivirus program, and I don't understand how to delete the existing instances of Firefox in the configuration modules like you suggested, or the part about the digital signatures. I haven't tried resetting Firefox because I wanted to give you the above information first. I will await your reply.

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.

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Safe+Mode
• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Troubleshooting+extensions+and+themes

@dumdidadida-- wow, I just found the problem. I went into tools>options>privacy>accept cookies from sites>exceptions, and for some strange reason, google.com was listed there. I don't remember blocking cookies from Google, but anyway, the problem is solved. I hope it's that simple for the other people having the same issue. Thanks again.

Thank you cor-el for your reply. Yes, I had already tried running Firefox in safe mode. As you can see from my previous post, the fix was embarrassingly simple. :-)