Firefox freezes with every case of opening location choosing window
I've encountered a very weird behavior: when selecting where to save a file or selecting a file to upload, the browser hangs 100% of the time.
Even when I go to about:memory, click Load, the path selection window appears - regardless of whether I select a file or close the window, the browser hangs and the window stops responding. I tried waiting for several hours - to no avail. Only restarting helps. Same with the upload selection window - regardless of whether I selected a file to upload or closed the selection window, the browser hangs. Before freezing permanently, the mouse cursor stops moving, then lags around a bit before recovering.
I tried cleaning download history, cache, recreated profile, restarted without extensions, in safe mode, disabled antivirus - always the same result.
Please advise me, maybe someone has encountered something like this - I really don't want to start using Chrome. My OS is Windows 11. Thanks in advance.
All Replies (18)
I did a deep cleaning of Firefox, removed all downloads, and used CCCleaner. So for now it seems like it works well.
Try restarting in troubleshoot mode. You could also check for malware.
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/diagnose-firefox-issues-using-troubleshoot-mode https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-extensions-themes-to-fix-problems https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-issues-related-to-add-ons
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-issues-caused-malware
This might be a problem with the Windows MRU list that contains references to (removable) drives that no longer are available.
Try to delete the MRU (Most Recently Used) ComDlg32 registry keys with the registry editor (regedit.exe).
Terry said
Try restarting in troubleshoot mode. You could also check for malware. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/diagnose-firefox-issues-using-troubleshoot-mode https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-extensions-themes-to-fix-problems https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-issues-related-to-add-ons
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-issues-caused-malware
For those who can face this problem: it was fixed after running adware cleaner. For the note: I have working and fully functioning antivirus, but adware cleaner found some file "C:\Users\User\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\g7lmrb96.default\invalidprefs.js" that was deleted and after reboot problem was gone. I've read that file and didn't find any malware or adware but anyway - problem was fixed. Besides this file was created back in 2016 and it seems like containing my own preferences at that period. Why it was persisting for 7 years and not bringing any problems until now? I don't know. File seems to contain just preferences for FF browser.
madd.korben said
Terry said
Try restarting in troubleshoot mode. You could also check for malware. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/diagnose-firefox-issues-using-troubleshoot-mode https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-extensions-themes-to-fix-problems https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-issues-related-to-add-ons
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-issues-caused-malware
For those who can face this problem: it was fixed after running adware cleaner. For the note: I have working and fully functioning antivirus, but adware cleaner found some file "C:\Users\User\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\g7lmrb96.default\invalidprefs.js" that was deleted and after reboot problem was gone. I've read that file and didn't find any malware or adware but anyway - problem was fixed. Besides this file was created back in 2016 and it seems like containing my own preferences at that period. Why it was persisting for 7 years and not bringing any problems until now? I don't know. File seems to contain just preferences for FF browser.
Some corrections. This file wasn't the cause. During that clean I've removed a couple of files besides invalidprefs.js. Those files: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\{1EC00332-9DA9-436D-9AAA-048787DF45B7}.SYS C:\Windows\System32\drivers\{E7224BCD-D889-4528-8456-60CE0724367E}.SYS
As far as I know these files were created by AceStream media player.
The problem came back and after deleting these files once more, problem gone again so I assume it was the reason truly.
madd.korben said
madd.korben said
Terry said
Try restarting in troubleshoot mode. You could also check for malware. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/diagnose-firefox-issues-using-troubleshoot-mode https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-extensions-themes-to-fix-problems https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-issues-related-to-add-ons
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-issues-caused-malware
For those who can face this problem: it was fixed after running adware cleaner. For the note: I have working and fully functioning antivirus, but adware cleaner found some file "C:\Users\User\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\g7lmrb96.default\invalidprefs.js" that was deleted and after reboot problem was gone. I've read that file and didn't find any malware or adware but anyway - problem was fixed. Besides this file was created back in 2016 and it seems like containing my own preferences at that period. Why it was persisting for 7 years and not bringing any problems until now? I don't know. File seems to contain just preferences for FF browser.
Some corrections. This file wasn't the cause. During that clean I've removed a couple of files besides invalidprefs.js. Those files: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\{1EC00332-9DA9-436D-9AAA-048787DF45B7}.SYS C:\Windows\System32\drivers\{E7224BCD-D889-4528-8456-60CE0724367E}.SYS
As far as I know these files were created by AceStream media player.
The problem came back and after deleting these files once more, problem gone again so I assume it was the reason truly.
New corrections. My problem doesn't depend neigher on these files: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\{1EC00332-9DA9-436D-9AAA-048787DF45B7}.SYS C:\Windows\System32\drivers\{E7224BCD-D889-4528-8456-60CE0724367E}.SYS
nor invalidprefs.js. After some time problem occurs again.
No solution found.
Open a second window, visit about:third-party and use that to monitor what modules are being loaded when opening a file (Ctrl+O) in the first window.
zeroknight said
Open a second window, visit about:third-party and use that to monitor what modules are being loaded when opening a file (Ctrl+O) in the first window.
Thank you for your reply. I've did what you asked for and that is what I saw: browser hangs the same way as before when I press CTRL+O so all I could do is to copy modules that were open before I press it. And here they are (without events class cuz it's long to paste):
"name": "IPSEng64.dll",
"fileVersion": "17.2.12.33",
"typeFlags": 1,
"signedBy": "Symantec Corporation",
"applicationName": "Norton 360",
"name": "nvwgf2umx.dll",
"fileVersion": "31.0.15.4584",
"typeFlags": 1,
"signedBy": "NVIDIA Corporation"
"name": "nvgpucomp64.dll",
"fileVersion": "31.0.15.4584",
"typeFlags": 1,
"signedBy": "NVIDIA Corporation"
"name": "nvldumdx.dll",
"fileVersion": "31.0.15.4584",
"typeFlags": 1,
"signedBy": "NVIDIA Corporation"
zeroknight said
Open a second window, visit about:third-party and use that to monitor what modules are being loaded when opening a file (Ctrl+O) in the first window.
I've tried to block all of these 4 modules - no effect. Still hanging when press CTRL+O.
You can use Process Explorer or Process Monitor to see what modules are being loaded when opening the file selection dialog.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/process-utilities
zeroknight said
You can use Process Explorer or Process Monitor to see what modules are being loaded when opening the file selection dialog. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/process-utilities
There are a lot of events every second. How can I find the one that causing the browser to halt?
You can create a new profile as a quick test to see if your current profile is causing the problem.
See "Creating a profile":
If the new profile works, you can transfer files from a previously used profile to the new profile, but be cautious not to copy corrupted files to avoid carrying over problems.
cor-el said
You can create a new profile as a quick test to see if your current profile is causing the problem. See "Creating a profile": If the new profile works, you can transfer files from a previously used profile to the new profile, but be cautious not to copy corrupted files to avoid carrying over problems.
I've tried it already. Profile doesn't matter as well as installed extensions.
Did you check the MRU (most recently used) keys in the Windows Registry like I suggested above ?
cor-el said
Did you check the MRU (most recently used) keys in the Windows Registry like I suggested above ?
There are multiple MRU meanings. First - recently used removable devices that located at branch: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\USBSTOR
Second - recent Files and Folders: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\TypedPaths
Third - recently used files in File Explorer: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\WordWheelQuery
Which one you meant?
I think I've found the cause: it's on-screen Windows keyboard! I've noticed that after starting on screen keyboard, Firefox hangs the same way. Next, if OSK started, every CTRL+O causes Firefox to hang.
Now: how are they connected to each other and how to fix it? Any ideas?
madd.korben said
I think I've found the cause: it's on-screen Windows keyboard! I've noticed that after starting on screen keyboard, Firefox hangs the same way. Next, if OSK started, every CTRL+O causes Firefox to hang. Now: how are they connected to each other and how to fix it? Any ideas?
For the record: accessibility.force_disabled is set to 1, no affect.
Did anyone find an actual solution for this conflict between Firefox and the on screen keyboard?