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

Plugin-Container.exe is devouring system resources.

  • 3 replies
  • 71 have this problem
  • 14 views
  • Last reply by John99

more options

This new process associated with with the recent Firefox Update to 3.6.4 is just hammering my system, with Plugin-Container.exe stealing about 60% CPU time from other applications on XP SP3. This problem only started with the upgrade that Firefox was nagging me to install and I followed the Firefox application instructions telling me to reinstall/upgrade Adobe Flash (even though I already had the most recent version, as I do with all my extensions and plugins. This version isn't ready for release. How do I roll back to the previous version of Firefox? Thanks.

== Today when I upgraded from previous to version 3.6.4, and then followed onscreen instructions to update Adobe Flash.

This new process associated with with the recent Firefox Update to 3.6.4 is just hammering my system, with Plugin-Container.exe stealing about 60% CPU time from other applications on XP SP3. This problem only started with the upgrade that Firefox was nagging me to install and I followed the Firefox application instructions telling me to reinstall/upgrade Adobe Flash (even though I already had the most recent version, as I do with all my extensions and plugins. This version isn't ready for release. How do I roll back to the previous version of Firefox? Thanks. == Today when I upgraded from previous to version 3.6.4, and then followed onscreen instructions to update Adobe Flash.

All Replies (3)

more options

Chosen Solution

more options

I am having the same problem with a similar computer setup. Norton warning comes up that Firefox plug-in container using 64% of CPU. Online Flash game no longer responds.

Works fine using Internet Explorer. I have updated Firefox and Flash plug-in but didn't help.

The link in the reply above doesn't exist (Page Not Found).

more options

I am only an ordinary user and can not edit others posts but I suspect the link should be https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/questions/706123 , although that is rather a long and meandering thread, and I am not sure exactly which post the op found to be the solution.

I would comment that the Norton warning is only that something is using CPU resources.

  • You can prevent Norton flagging that particular process, but it may well then flag up something else unless the warning is disabled entirely
  • The plugin container using the resources will be running a plugin such as FlashPlayer. If you are running high resolution and high bandwidth video it may not be unexpected that it is consuming a lot of resources.

It may be worth starting your own thread if you want answers regarding your own specific problem. If you do start a new thread I suggest you try to make use of the options offered to include system information as you create the question.

It is also a good idea to check the computers specification, and compare it with the specifications

  • required as a minimum
  • recommended

by any plugins that are used. Remembering in the case of videos that there are many variables to be considered regarding quality, resolution , codecs etc