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Slow page load Firefox for Android

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I have two Samsung mobile devices, a Galaxy S2 phone and a Galaxy Tab S, both are using the latest version of Android that is available for the devices and both are using Firefox v 36.0.4.

I find the page load times to be very slow. The web browser supplied by Samsung does not have all the nice options and features of Firefox but it can load one of my favourite site's home page in about 1 second, about the same as Firefox on my PC. Firefox for Android typically takes about 4 seconds for the same page, sometimes much more. Often it will load part of the page and then take several seconds to load the rest of the page.

I have tried all of the various tweaks suggested and I have removed add-ons. All to no avail. Google Chrome is not as fast as the Samsung browser but it is still significantly faster than Firefox.

In browsing forums I see that many other users are commenting on this problem.

I have two Samsung mobile devices, a Galaxy S2 phone and a Galaxy Tab S, both are using the latest version of Android that is available for the devices and both are using Firefox v 36.0.4. I find the page load times to be very slow. The web browser supplied by Samsung does not have all the nice options and features of Firefox but it can load one of my favourite site's home page in about 1 second, about the same as Firefox on my PC. Firefox for Android typically takes about 4 seconds for the same page, sometimes much more. Often it will load part of the page and then take several seconds to load the rest of the page. I have tried all of the various tweaks suggested and I have removed add-ons. All to no avail. Google Chrome is not as fast as the Samsung browser but it is still significantly faster than Firefox. In browsing forums I see that many other users are commenting on this problem.

All Replies (4)

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Hi Gambalunga, In order to try to fix this issue, the first step is to clear both cookies and the cache. The Firefox cache temporarily stores images, scripts, and other parts of websites while you are browsing.
Note: This will temporarily log you out of all sites you're logged in to. To clear cache and cookies, do the following:

  1. Tap the menu icon located at the top right corner. This is the icon with 3 bars. On older Android devices you'll have to press the hardware menu key and then tap More.
  2. Tap Settings.
  3. After that, you will be taken to the settings screen. In the settings screen, look under the section Privacy & Security and select Clear private data.
  4. You will then be taken to a list of what can be cleared. Select the following 2 for deletion:
    • Cookies & active logins
    • Cache
  5. After those have been selected, tap the Clear data button to actually clear the cache and cookies.


Did this help you with your problems? Please let us know!

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That did seem to make a small difference. Thanks guigs2.

The page I particularly notice it on is a forum that I use quite a lot. By a very rough method of timing it did take, on a good day, and on wifi about 4 seconds to load the home page, it has now reduced to 3 seconds. (on a bad day it can take much longer). The very simple Samsung browser can do it in about 1 second. Google Chrome takes about 2 seconds. On my PC, connected to the router by ethernet, it takes less than 2 seconds. And on my wifes Mac Book also on wifi it takes about 3 seconds, so at least it seems to now be about the same as that.

Now if the maximum it took was 3 seconds that would not be so bad but the differences magnify if the internet is a bit slow so that 3 times longer can easily become a difference of 15 seconds or more between the fastest and the slowest browser.

I do not want to publish the name of the forum but if you have some way of sending me a PM I will respond and you can try it for yourself.

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No worries, it may also be useful to check out your ISP's support to see if there is a limit for speed/number of devices.

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Gambalunga said

I have two Samsung mobile devices, a Galaxy S2 phone and a Galaxy Tab S, both are using the latest version of Android that is available for the devices and both are using Firefox v 36.0.4. I find the page load times to be very slow. The web browser supplied by Samsung does not have all the nice options and features of Firefox but it can load one of my favourite site's home page in about 1 second, about the same as Firefox on my PC. Firefox for Android typically takes about 4 seconds for the same page, sometimes much more. Often it will load part of the page and then take several seconds to load the rest of the page. I have tried all of the various tweaks suggested and I have removed add-ons. All to no avail. Google Chrome is not as fast as the Samsung browser but it is still significantly faster than Firefox. In browsing forums I see that many other users are commenting on this problem.

Not sure if it's the same issue, but Firefox is very slow on my Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 (Android 5.02).

Entering data in forms is impossibly slow, taking 5-10 seconds to echo each character. I've cleared private data and disabled all add-ons - no difference.

Chrome is much, much faster.

Any suggestions or comments gratefully received.