Browser will not start up: Difference between revisions

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# Make sure Firefox is not running in the backround.  
# Make sure Firefox is not 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.
#*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 (Firefox) | 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.
# ''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.
#* 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 | profile directory]].
# 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 ''XUL.mfl'' (also known as "xul.mfasl") from your profile. This file will be regenerated next time you start Firefox.
# Delete the ''Cache'' folder.
# Delete the ''Cache'' folder.
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# At this point, it is usually best to [[Profile folder | create a new profile]].
# At this point, it is usually best to [[Profile folder | create a new profile]].


== Clearing Extensions and Themes==
==Clearing Extensions and Themes==
''Firefox only: If you can run Firefox in [[Safe Mode (Firefox) | safe mode]], then the source of your problem is your extensions.''
''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" folder in your [[Profile Folder | profile folder]]. Note that you will lose ''all your extensions and themes''. If Firefox's problem continues to persist, you can also try deleting the "chrome" folder in your [[Profile Folder | profile folder]] and trying to start up Firefox from there. This will break all your themes and extensions, if deleting the "extensions" folder has not already done so.
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 ==
==Firefox Still Won't Start==
# Make sure to [[Profile backup | backup your profile]] and then completely remove your [[profile folder]].  
# Make sure to [[Profile backup | backup your profile]] and then completely remove your [[profile folder]].  
# Uninstall Firefox.
# Uninstall Firefox.
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# If that still doesn't work, download a build from the trunk. Note that trunk builds and branch builds will likely have different bugs and maybe even different features.
# If that still doesn't work, download a build from the trunk. Note that trunk builds and branch builds will likely have different bugs and maybe even different features.


== Firefox Starts But My Settings Are Gone ==
==Firefox Starts But My Settings Are Gone==
If you backed up your profile, then you should be able to simply copy the backed up files to your new profile. See [[Profile Folder | profile tips]] for help on doing this.
If you backed up your profile, then you should be able to simply copy the backed up files to your new profile. See [[Profile Folder | profile tips]] for help on doing this.


If you are missing themes or extensions, you will have to reinstall them from scratch. Go to the Tools -> Options menu to install and configure extensions and themes.
If you are missing themes or extensions, you will have to reinstall them from scratch.

Revision as of 16:12, 14 February 2005

This article also applies to Mozilla, although file names and program names will be different.

If you are trying to run Firefox for the first time, then you should look at the Firefox FAQs.

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 backup your profile.

The Profile Manager/Profile In Use Bug

If you receive the message default profile is in use error, you must delete the parent.lock file (also known as lock or .parentlock) in your profile folder. If your OS complains about a program currently using the file, close all instances of "firefox.exe" through your process list application. ("Ctrl-Alt-Delete -> Processes" on Windows and "Apple -> Force Quit" or "Applications -> Utilities -> Activity Monitor" on Mac OS X. For Linux, see [1] and "man kill".)

The Mac Firefox Bug

From Mozilla.org's Firefox 0.9 Release Notes:

If Firefox will not display a browser window on Mac OS X, quit Firefox using "Cmd+Q" and open your profile folder and remove the "localstore.rdf" file. Restart Firefox. Note: Any toolbar customizations you have made or window placement will be lost.

How to Make Firefox Start

  1. Completely close Firefox.
  2. Make sure Firefox is not 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Browse to your profile folder.
  5. Delete XUL.mfl (also known as "xul.mfasl") from your profile. This file will be regenerated next time you start Firefox.
  6. Delete the Cache folder.
  7. Try running Firefox.
  8. If Firefox still does not work, then more drastic measures may have to be taken. Before continuing, be sure to backup your profile.
  9. At this point, it is usually best to 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. Note that you will lose all your extensions and themes.

Firefox Still Won't Start

  1. Make sure to backup your profile and then completely remove your profile folder.
  2. Uninstall Firefox.
  3. Reinstall Firefox.

Firefox Still Won't Start, Part II

Before you start, note that nightlies may be unstable, have bugs, or other catastrophe. Investigate first [2] [3].

  1. At this point, download a nightly [4]. The latest nightly is always in a "latest-trunk" folder. However, if there's a "latest-[insert_version]" number, grab builds in that folder instead. If there's more than one "latest-[insert_version]" folder, grab the one with the highest version. Note: "FirefoxSetup.exe" is a Windows installer.
  2. Uninstall Firefox.
  3. Install that nightly.
  4. If that still doesn't work, download a build from the trunk. Note that trunk builds and branch builds will likely have different bugs and maybe even different features.

Firefox Starts But My Settings Are Gone

If you backed up your profile, then you should be able to simply copy the backed up files to your new profile. See profile tips for help on doing this.

If you are missing themes or extensions, you will have to reinstall them from scratch.