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Why does firefox "close" when I close the window but the process doesn't shutdown even with the upgrades since problem was reported.since i had updated to FF25

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  • Last reply by FredMcD

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Frequently after I have been viewing numerous sites on firefox, when I close down the last window and try to reopen firefox, I am told that the program is already running and needs to be shut down. Using Task Manager is not useful, since task manager doesn't show the program as up and running. The only way to get the program to close so it can be used for a different subject is to reboot the computer. This is happening 10 - 12 times a week now, and gradually getting worse. This closes out everything I have open, making it necessary to save all opened files BEFORE I reboot, and then going back to reopen all of them. None of the other questions I've seem point to this particular quirk in the problem.

Frequently after I have been viewing numerous sites on firefox, when I close down the last window and try to reopen firefox, I am told that the program is already running and needs to be shut down. Using Task Manager is not useful, since task manager doesn't show the program as up and running. The only way to get the program to close so it can be used for a different subject is to reboot the computer. This is happening 10 - 12 times a week now, and gradually getting worse. This closes out everything I have open, making it necessary to save all opened files BEFORE I reboot, and then going back to reopen all of them. None of the other questions I've seem point to this particular quirk in the problem.

All Replies (2)

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Hello,

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 and some Preferences.

  • Open websites will not be saved in Firefox versions lower than 25.

To Reset Firefox do the following:

For Firefox versions previous to 29.0:

  1. Go to Firefox > Help > Troubleshooting Information.
  2. Click the "Reset Firefox"Button reset 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.

For Firefox 29.0 and above:

  1. Click the menu button New Fx Menu, click help Help-29 and select Troubleshooting Information.Now, a new tab containing your troubleshooting information should open.
  2. At the top right corner of the page, you should see a button that says "Reset Firefox"Button reset. Click on it.
  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!

Thank you.

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This is not a cure but will make it easier if Firefox locks up. https://support.mozilla.org/questions/997866 {web link}


From what I have been reading from other posts on this forum, the issue may be caused by the clear history settings. It was suppose to have been fixed in v30.

Press the Alt or F10 key to bring up the tool bar. Followed by;

Windows; Tools > Options Linux; Edit > Preferences Mac; application name > Preferences

Then Privacy.

The button next to History, select Use Custom Settings.

At the bottom of the page, turn on Clear History When Firefox Closes. At the far right, press the Settings button. Turn on ONLY Cache and Form And Search History leaving the others off.