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

Older Version Firefox - Blank Screen

more options

Hi, I recently installed Firefox 49.0.2 on my mac which is up to date on OS Monterey. When I opened Firefox the browser screen was completely blank. I can see the URL bar and when I move my mouse I can see that there are links on the page which I can click on, but the screen is blank.

I've tried redownloading Firefox as well as other, older versions and they also show a blank screen. Only the browser screen is blank; if I click on add-ons a new tab opens and I can see that.

The link below has three screenshots showing exactly what I can see. Hopefully this makes sense. Thanks

https://docs.google.com/document/d/15wbDxK16sbGMDdsmWjuGjZ-w3mF9o2YvEGwiOSFsPtc/edit?usp=sharing

Hi, I recently installed Firefox 49.0.2 on my mac which is up to date on OS Monterey. When I opened Firefox the browser screen was completely blank. I can see the URL bar and when I move my mouse I can see that there are links on the page which I can click on, but the screen is blank. I've tried redownloading Firefox as well as other, older versions and they also show a blank screen. Only the browser screen is blank; if I click on add-ons a new tab opens and I can see that. The link below has three screenshots showing exactly what I can see. Hopefully this makes sense. Thanks https://docs.google.com/document/d/15wbDxK16sbGMDdsmWjuGjZ-w3mF9o2YvEGwiOSFsPtc/edit?usp=sharing

Chosen solution

Start Firefox using Troubleshoot(Safe) Mode {web link}

A small dialog should appear. Click Start In Troubleshoot(Safe) Mode (not Refresh). Is the problem still there?


Start your Computer in safe mode with network support. Then start Firefox. Try Secure websites. Is the problem still there?

Starting Any Computer In Safe Mode (web link) Free Online Encyclopedia

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/how-to-start-windows-in-safe-mode/

https://www.digitalcitizen.life/4-ways-boot-safe-mode-windows-10/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ If the problem goes away with the computer in Safe Mode, the problem is with one of the other programs on the system.

As a test, disable your protection programs.

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (9)

more options

Type about:preferences#content<enter> in the address bar. Across from fonts and colors, press the Advanced button. On the bottom, turn on Allow Web Sites To Choose Their Own.

[v56+] Type about:preferences#general<enter> in the address bar. Under fonts and colors, press the Advanced button. Scroll to the bottom, turn on Allow Web Sites To Choose Their Own.


Under fonts and colors, press the Colors button and check the settings.


Start Firefox using Troubleshoot(Safe) Mode {web link}

A small dialog should appear. Click Start In Troubleshoot(Safe) Mode (not Refresh). Is the problem still there?

more options

Thanks, just saw this now. I tried the fonts and colors as well as Start In Troubleshoot(Safe) Mode and the screen is still blank.

more options

Use these links to create a new profile. Use this new profile as is. Is the problem still there?

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-run-firefox-when-profile-missing-inaccessible

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox#Navigating_to_the_profile_folder

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profile-manager-create-and-remove-firefox-profiles

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/back-and-restore-information-firefox-profiles


Type about:profiles<enter> in the address bar.

more options

Tried the above and screen is unchanged. I was able to create a new profile but the other weird thing is when a window pops up (creating a new profile) it isn't visible. Below is the same google doc from before but I added a couple screenshots: one showing the pop up window blank, and a second showing a new tab with suggested sites appearing as normal but then being blank once I click on them.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/15wbDxK16sbGMDdsmWjuGjZ-w3mF9o2YvEGwiOSFsPtc/edit?usp=sharing

I appreciate your time, thanks

more options

Chosen Solution

Start Firefox using Troubleshoot(Safe) Mode {web link}

A small dialog should appear. Click Start In Troubleshoot(Safe) Mode (not Refresh). Is the problem still there?


Start your Computer in safe mode with network support. Then start Firefox. Try Secure websites. Is the problem still there?

Starting Any Computer In Safe Mode (web link) Free Online Encyclopedia

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/how-to-start-windows-in-safe-mode/

https://www.digitalcitizen.life/4-ways-boot-safe-mode-windows-10/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ If the problem goes away with the computer in Safe Mode, the problem is with one of the other programs on the system.

As a test, disable your protection programs.

more options

Thank you so much, starting the computer in safe mode worked.

You said if the problem goes away with the computer in safe mode then the problem is with one of the other programs. Is this something that would be really difficult to figure out?/ Do you think it's something I should worry about?

Thanks

more options

A post was flagged as Solved Problem. If the problem is not solved, please remove that flag. If you don’t, others that can help may not read this post.

Go to that message, and use the Undo link to its right.

more options

aosterbrock said

You said if the problem goes away with the computer in safe mode then the problem is with one of the other programs . . .

FredMcD said

As a test, disable your protection programs.