Browser will not start up: Difference between revisions

From MozillaZine Knowledge Base
Jump to navigationJump to search
m (testing)
(clean up)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{test|Firefox|Mozilla Suite|issues}} ''File names and program names are different for Mozilla Suite.''
{{test|Firefox|Mozilla Suite|issues}} ''File names and program names are different for Mozilla Suite.''


If you are trying to run Firefox for the first time, then you should look at the [[Firefox_:_FAQs | Firefox FAQs]].
If Firefox used to work correctly, but it no longer starts when you try to run it, then this article may help. Before deleting anything, please [[Profile backup | back up your profile]].


'''Purpose''': If Firefox used to work correctly, but it no longer starts when you try to run it, then this article may help. Before deleting anything, please [[Profile backup | back up your profile]].
==The Profile In Use bug==
If you receive the "profile is in use" error when trying to launch the application, this means the profile is locked. See the [[Profile in use]] article for instructions on fixing this.


==The Profile Manager/Profile In Use Bug==
==How to make Firefox/Mozilla Suite start==
# Completely close the application (using "File -> Exit") and make sure Firefox is not [[Kill application|running in the backround]].
# ''Firefox only''. Run Firefox in [[safe mode]]. If it starts up in safe mode, the problem is most probably with one of your themes or extensions. Select the default theme in "Tools -> Themes" and disable all your extensions in "Tools -> Extensions". Restart Firefox.
# Before continuing, be sure to [[Profile backup | back up your profile]].
# Delete "XUL.mfl" (the name may differ slightly, e.g. "xul.mfasl") from your [[profile folder]]. This file will be regenerated on next startup. Try running Firefox now.
# Delete "chrome" and "extensions" folders from your profile. ('''You will lose all your extensions and themes!''')
# Delete the "Cache" folder. (You will lose your cache.)
# If application still does not work, it is usually best to [[Profile_Folder#What_do_I_do_if_my_profile.27s_corrupted.3F|create a new profile]].
# If it still doesn't work, try reinstalling the application. Remember to uninstall the application first.


If you receive the "profile is in use" error when trying to launch the application, this means the profile is locked. See the [[Profile in use]] article for how to fix this.
==The Mac Firefox bug==
From [http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/releases/1.0.2.html Firefox 1.0.2 Release Notes]:
:''If Firefox does not display a browser window, quit Firefox using Cmd+Q and open [[Profile folder|<tt>~/Library/Application Support/Firefox/Profiles/<garble>.default/</tt>]] and remove "localstore.rdf". Restart Firefox. Any toolbar customizations you have made or window placement will be lost''


==The Mac Firefox Bug==
==Firefox starts but my settings are gone==
From [http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/releases/0.9.html#install Mozilla.org's Firefox 0.9 Release Notes]:
* Make sure you're using the correct profile. Run the [[Profile Manager]] and select the default profile.
: If Firefox will not display a browser window on Mac OS X, quit Firefox using "Cmd+Q" and open your [[Profile Folder | profile folder]] and remove the "localstore.rdf" file. Restart Firefox. Note: Any toolbar customizations you have made or window placement will be lost.
* If that wasn't your problem and you have backed up your profile, you should be able to simply copy the backed up files to your new profile. See [[Profile folder#What do I do if my profile's corrupted? | "What do I do if my profile's corrupted?"]] for help on doing this.
 
* If you are missing themes or extensions, you will have to reinstall them from scratch.
==How to Make Firefox Start==
# Completely close Firefox.
# Make sure Firefox is not [[Kill application|running in the backround]].
#*In Windows, hit Ctrl+Alt+Del, open the Task Manager, view Processes, and make sure ''firefox.exe'' is not there. If it is, click on it and End Process. Run Firefox again. If everything goes smoothly, then you can stop. If it doesn't and it hangs invisibly again, repeat the process and try opening it in Safe Mode (see below) next time.
# ''Firefox only''. Run Firefox in [[safe mode]]. Disable your extensions via Tools -> Extensions. If it starts up now, it's an extension problem, and you should try isolating which extension is causing it. Once you do, keep that extension disabled or uninstall it.
#* For Mozilla users and users that don't want to isolate the extension, try the "Clearing Extensions and Themes" trick below.
# Browse to your [[profile folder]].
# Delete ''XUL.mfl'' (also known as "xul.mfasl") from your profile. This file will be regenerated next time you start Firefox.
# Delete the ''Cache'' folder.
# Try running Firefox.
#  If Firefox still does not work, then more drastic measures may have to be taken. Before continuing, be sure to [[Profile backup | back up your profile]].
# At this point, it is usually best to [[Profile Manager | create a new profile]].
 
==Clearing Extensions and Themes==
''Firefox only: If you can run Firefox in [[safe mode]], then the source of your problem is your extensions.''
 
All you have to do is delete your "extensions" and "chrome" folders in your [[Profile Folder | profile]]. Note that you will lose ''all your extensions and themes''.
 
==Firefox Still Won't Start==
# Make sure to [[Profile backup | back up your profile]] and then completely remove your [[profile folder]].
# Uninstall Firefox.
# Reinstall Firefox.
 
==Firefox Starts But My Settings Are Gone==
# Make sure you're using the correct profile. Run the [[Profile Manager]] and select the default profile.
# If that wasn't your problem and you have backed up your profile, you should be able to simply copy the backed up files to your new profile. See [[Profile folder#What do I do if my profile's corrupted? | "What do I do if my profile's corrupted?"]] for help on doing this.
# If you are missing themes or extensions, you will have to reinstall them from scratch.

Revision as of 12:55, 4 April 2005

Template:Test File names and program names are different for Mozilla Suite.

If Firefox used to work correctly, but it no longer starts when you try to run it, then this article may help. Before deleting anything, please back up your profile.

The Profile In Use bug

If you receive the "profile is in use" error when trying to launch the application, this means the profile is locked. See the Profile in use article for instructions on fixing this.

How to make Firefox/Mozilla Suite start

  1. Completely close the application (using "File -> Exit") and make sure Firefox is not running in the backround.
  2. Firefox only. Run Firefox in safe mode. If it starts up in safe mode, the problem is most probably with one of your themes or extensions. Select the default theme in "Tools -> Themes" and disable all your extensions in "Tools -> Extensions". Restart Firefox.
  3. Before continuing, be sure to back up your profile.
  4. Delete "XUL.mfl" (the name may differ slightly, e.g. "xul.mfasl") from your profile folder. This file will be regenerated on next startup. Try running Firefox now.
  5. Delete "chrome" and "extensions" folders from your profile. (You will lose all your extensions and themes!)
  6. Delete the "Cache" folder. (You will lose your cache.)
  7. If application still does not work, it is usually best to create a new profile.
  8. If it still doesn't work, try reinstalling the application. Remember to uninstall the application first.

The Mac Firefox bug

From Firefox 1.0.2 Release Notes:

If Firefox does not display a browser window, quit Firefox using Cmd+Q and open ~/Library/Application Support/Firefox/Profiles/<garble>.default/ and remove "localstore.rdf". Restart Firefox. Any toolbar customizations you have made or window placement will be lost

Firefox starts but my settings are gone

  • Make sure you're using the correct profile. Run the Profile Manager and select the default profile.
  • If that wasn't your problem and you have backed up your profile, you should be able to simply copy the backed up files to your new profile. See "What do I do if my profile's corrupted?" for help on doing this.
  • If you are missing themes or extensions, you will have to reinstall them from scratch.