Firefox CPU usage: Difference between revisions

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If you're only having problems with sites that use [[Flash]] and updating to the latest Flash version doesn't help, you can use the [http://flashblock.mozdev.org/ Flashblock] extension to selectively enable or disable it [http://momentarypause.blogspot.com/2006/02/firefox-cpu-issues.html][http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=184258]
If you're only having problems with sites that use [[Flash]] and updating to the latest Flash version doesn't help, you can use the [http://flashblock.mozdev.org/ Flashblock] extension to selectively enable or disable it [http://momentarypause.blogspot.com/2006/02/firefox-cpu-issues.html][http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=184258]


If the problem happens when viewing PDF files in the browser, it's likely a problem with the [[Adobe Reader]] plugin. One possible fix is to create a "WWW_OpenURL" directory in the "AdobeUM" directory [http://public.ok2life.com/welcome/index/54.html]. Another workaround is to disable the browser plugin and so that PDF files open in Adobe Reader as an external application, explained [[Adobe_Reader#Disabling_the_browser_plugin |here]].
If the problem happens when viewing PDF files in the browser using the [[Adobe Reader]] plugin, disable the Adobe Reader plugin (see [[Issues related to plugins]] for details) and either use Adobe Reader as an external application, [https://support.mozilla.org/kb/disable-built-pdf-viewer-and-use-another-viewer use another PDF viewer] or else [https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/view-pdf-files-firefox-without-downloading-them#w_using-the-built-in-pdf-viewer use the built-in Firefox PDF viewer].  


=== JavaScript ===
=== JavaScript ===
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=== Report the site ===
=== Report the site ===
Report the site using Help -> Report Broken Web Site. Reporting the problem will help identify sites with problems so Mozilla evangelists can help fix their problems, and also help Mozilla developers track down any bugs in Firefox that could be causing excessive CPU usage.
Report the site using Help -> Submit Feedback. Reporting the problem will help identify sites with problems so Mozilla evangelists can help fix their problems, and also help Mozilla developers track down any bugs in Firefox that could be causing excessive CPU usage.


==All the time==
==All the time==  


=== Extensions ===
=== Extensions ===
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=== Hardware acceleration ===
=== Hardware acceleration ===
Disabling cursor and bitmap hardware acceleration on some video cards and drivers can reduce CPU usage when displaying images.[http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=2734282#2734282]
Disabling cursor and bitmap hardware acceleration on some video cards and drivers can reduce CPU usage when displaying images.[http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=2734282#2734282]  To check hardware acceleration on Windows, right click on the desk top to get the display properties menu.  Then select Settings > Advanced > Troubleshoot.  [http://www.deskshare.com/Resources/articles/dmc_turnoffhardwareacceleration.aspx This article] shows how.  For more detailed information on troubleshooting display properties, see [http://support.microsoft.com/kb/263039 this article.]


=== Windows prefetch ===
=== Windows prefetch ===
Deleting the Windows XP or Vista prefetch files for Firefox (C:\Windows\Prefetch\FIREFOX*) can prevent problems with the jpeg_fdct_islow thread consuming lots of CPU.[http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=184258&start=309]
In  Windows XP and above, deleting the Windows prefetch files for Firefox (C:\Windows\Prefetch\FIREFOX*) can prevent problems with the jpeg_fdct_islow thread consuming lots of CPU. [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=184258&start=309] Note: Automatic deletion of FIREFOX.EXE* prefetch files is planned for Firefox 15 ([https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=692255 bug 692255]).
 
==Related bug reports==
*[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=213637 Bug 213637 – Mozilla runs at ~100% cpu usage after connection is interrupted or wakeup from hibernate or standby]
*[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=265172 Bug 265172 – Hang and 100% CPU usage sometimes during restore/resume from sleep/standby/hibernate - update your flash player]


== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[Firefox hangs]]
* [[Firefox hangs]]
==External links==
* [https://support.mozilla.org/kb/firefox-uses-too-many-cpu-resources-how-fix Firefox uses too many CPU resources - How to fix] (Firefox Support)


[[Category:Issues (Firefox)]]
[[Category:Issues (Firefox)]]
[[Category:Websites]]
[[Category:Websites]]
[[Category:Performance - Firefox]]
[[Category:Performance - Firefox]]

Latest revision as of 20:44, 8 May 2013

This article describes how to prevent or work around high CPU usage in Firefox.

Only on specific pages

Plugins

If you're only having problems with sites that use Flash and updating to the latest Flash version doesn't help, you can use the Flashblock extension to selectively enable or disable it [1][2]

If the problem happens when viewing PDF files in the browser using the Adobe Reader plugin, disable the Adobe Reader plugin (see Issues related to plugins for details) and either use Adobe Reader as an external application, use another PDF viewer or else use the built-in Firefox PDF viewer.

JavaScript

Some sites can cause high CPU usage through extensive use of JavaScript. You can disable JavaScript selectively using the NoScript extension.

Report the site

Report the site using Help -> Submit Feedback. Reporting the problem will help identify sites with problems so Mozilla evangelists can help fix their problems, and also help Mozilla developers track down any bugs in Firefox that could be causing excessive CPU usage.

All the time

Extensions

Problematic extensions can cause excessive CPU usage.

Windows Compatibility mode

Firefox can cause excessive CPU usage if it's set to run in compatibility mode for an older version of Windows.[3] To fix the problem, right-click on the Firefox icon you click to start Firefox, click Properties, click the Compatibility tab, make sure the check box under Compatibility mode is unchecked, and restart Firefox.

Hardware acceleration

Disabling cursor and bitmap hardware acceleration on some video cards and drivers can reduce CPU usage when displaying images.[4] To check hardware acceleration on Windows, right click on the desk top to get the display properties menu. Then select Settings > Advanced > Troubleshoot. This article shows how. For more detailed information on troubleshooting display properties, see this article.

Windows prefetch

In Windows XP and above, deleting the Windows prefetch files for Firefox (C:\Windows\Prefetch\FIREFOX*) can prevent problems with the jpeg_fdct_islow thread consuming lots of CPU. [5] Note: Automatic deletion of FIREFOX.EXE* prefetch files is planned for Firefox 15 (bug 692255).

See also

External links