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

Whenever I open Firefox my screen goes black for a second then comes back with horrible quality, it's very strange.

  • 6 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 3 views
  • Last reply by Tech_Wiz_1

more options

Ok So to start off I'm running Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit OS. And whenever I try to download Firefox browser I'll open it and my screen goes black and then the weirdest thing happens. Everything comes back on with like a 16 bit display, like something you'd see in Windows 95. When I close out of the browser the screen goes black and returns to the usual display. I like Firefox and I have no idea why this happens. Y'all don't want me to stay with Chrome when I could be using Firefox right? ;)

Ok So to start off I'm running Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit OS. And whenever I try to download Firefox browser I'll open it and my screen goes black and then the weirdest thing happens. Everything comes back on with like a 16 bit display, like something you'd see in Windows 95. When I close out of the browser the screen goes black and returns to the usual display. I like Firefox and I have no idea why this happens. Y'all don't want me to stay with Chrome when I could be using Firefox right? ;)

Chosen solution

Hi Tech_Wiz_1, check that you don't have any backwards compatibility settings for your Firefox shortcut.

To double-check, you can access the Properties dialog for the shortcut. Either:

  • right-click a desktop shortcut
  • right-click a pinned taskbar icon, then right-click Mozilla Firefox

In the Properties dialog, click the Compatibility tab and make sure nothing is set/selected on this tab. (Screen shot attached.)

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (6)

more options

Tech_Wiz_1 said

Ok So to start off I'm running Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit OS. And whenever I try to download Firefox browser I'll open it and my screen goes black and then the weirdest thing happens. Everything comes back on with like a 16 bit display, like something you'd see in Windows 95. When I close out of the browser the screen goes black and returns to the usual display. I like Firefox and I have no idea why this happens. Y'all don't want me to stay with Chrome when I could be using Firefox right? ;)

I am sorry having issues but I had to respond as a good ending.....lol Though have to say Firefox does not sell or store your browsing history as does Chrome so....Why not try a Reset of FF 1st https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/refresh-firefox-reset-add-ons-and-settings and if that does not work check out my issue and the follow the directions https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1112813 is all I can offer you, G'luck

more options

You can try to disable hardware acceleration in Firefox.

  • Tools > Options > Advanced > General > Browsing: "Use hardware acceleration when available"

You need to close and restart Firefox after toggling this setting.

You can check if there is an update for your graphics display driver and check for hardware acceleration related issues.

Try to start Firefox in Safe Mode to see if that works.

  • Windows: hold down the Shift key while starting Firefox
  • Mac: hold down the Options key while starting Firefox
more options

Chosen Solution

Hi Tech_Wiz_1, check that you don't have any backwards compatibility settings for your Firefox shortcut.

To double-check, you can access the Properties dialog for the shortcut. Either:

  • right-click a desktop shortcut
  • right-click a pinned taskbar icon, then right-click Mozilla Firefox

In the Properties dialog, click the Compatibility tab and make sure nothing is set/selected on this tab. (Screen shot attached.)

more options

Can you attach a screenshot?

  • Use a compressed image type like PNG or JPG to save the screenshot
  • Make sure that you do not exceed the maximum size of 1 MB
more options

cor-el said

Can you attach a screenshot?
  • Use a compressed image type like PNG or JPG to save the screenshot
  • Make sure that you do not exceed the maximum size of 1 MB
more options

jscher2000 said

Hi Tech_Wiz_1, check that you don't have any backwards compatibility settings for your Firefox shortcut. To double-check, you can access the Properties dialog for the shortcut. Either:
  • right-click a desktop shortcut
  • right-click a pinned taskbar icon, then right-click Mozilla Firefox
In the Properties dialog, click the Compatibility tab and make sure nothing is set/selected on this tab. (Screen shot attached.)

Your a lifesaver! Thanks. The Compatibility for all users had a few selected along with the run as admin box. Works good now.