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Multiple tabs hidden from view. Shown in Task Manager - Windows 7

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  • Last reply by rwmol

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Windows 7 64 bit

When working with Ancestry.com I will have a few tabs at the top of the window. Suddenly there will be only one tab. When I try to type in any field it 's all caps. Cap Lock is off. Checking the Task Manager there are many instances of Firefox open but just one tab displayed.

Windows 7 64 bit When working with Ancestry.com I will have a few tabs at the top of the window. Suddenly there will be only one tab. When I try to type in any field it 's all caps. Cap Lock is off. Checking the Task Manager there are many instances of Firefox open but just one tab displayed.

All Replies (7)

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Make sure the keys on the keyboard are not sticking.

Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web link} by holding down the <Shift> (Mac=Options) key, and then starting Firefox.

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

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In the Windows 7 Task Manager, are you looking at the Applications list or the Processes list?

  • Applications: There should be a separate entry for each Firefox window, showing the name of the active tab in that window.
  • Processes: Firefox may create two firefox.exe processes even if there is only one tab, as part of the new design separating the content from the user interface.

If you check the Windows 7 Taskbar, does it show any other separate windows that might have the missing tabs? If the other windows cannot be activated or seem to be offscreen, that might be a clue to what's happening.

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It is possible that some of the status keys have the wrong state and Firefox sees them as still pressed.

Try to press all the status keys (Shift, Ctrl, Alt) a few times to see if that helps to recover from this. If it doesn't help then close and restart Firefox or reboot the computer.


Make sure you do not run Firefox in Full Screen mode (press F11 or Fn + F11 to toggle; Mac: Command+Shift+F).

When you are in Full Screen mode, hover the mouse to the top of the screen to make the Navigation Toolbar and Tab bar appear. You can use one of these to leave Full Screen mode:

  • press the F11 key
  • click the Maximize button at the right end of the Tab bar
  • click the Full Screen button in the "3-bar" Firefox menu button drop-down list
  • right-click empty space on a toolbar and click "Exit Full Screen Mode"
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jscher2000 said

In the Windows 7 Task Manager, are you looking at the Applications list or the Processes list?
  • Applications: There should be a separate entry for each Firefox window, showing the name of the active tab in that window.
  • Processes: Firefox may create two firefox.exe processes even if there is only one tab, as part of the new design separating the content from the user interface.
If you check the Windows 7 Taskbar, does it show any other separate windows that might have the missing tabs? If the other windows cannot be activated or seem to be offscreen, that might be a clue to what's happening.
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I was looking at the application list.

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cor-el said

It is possible that some of the status keys have the wrong state and Firefox sees them as still pressed. Try to press all the status keys (Shift, Ctrl, Alt) a few times to see if that helps to recover from this. If it doesn't help then close and restart Firefox or reboot the computer.

Make sure you do not run Firefox in Full Screen mode (press F11 or Fn + F11 to toggle; Mac: Command+Shift+F).

When you are in Full Screen mode, hover the mouse to the top of the screen to make the Navigation Toolbar and Tab bar appear. You can use one of these to leave Full Screen mode:

  • press the F11 key
  • click the Maximize button at the right end of the Tab bar
  • click the Full Screen button in the "3-bar" Firefox menu button drop-down list
  • right-click empty space on a toolbar and click "Exit Full Screen Mode"
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Thank you everyone. I will try these solutions and get back.