Windows 11/10 Firefox not responding upon startup or during use is not unusual, even though it is one of the most popular web browsers. How can you resolve this issue? Fear not when Firefox freezes or halts, as this detailed guide offers several practical solutions.

Firefox Not Responding in Windows 10/11

As one of the most widely used web browsers, Mozilla Firefox is favored globally due to its design, features, and extensions. However, like any other application, it can encounter problems, such as the frequent issue of Firefox not responding.

This can happen immediately after launching, during normal use, or when performing certain activities. Your clicks and keyboard inputs might seem ineffective, and nothing happens. Occasionally, you may receive an error message stating "Firefox is already running, but is not responding," or you might notice the mouse pointer turning into a spinning wheel when placed over the Firefox window.

Why does Firefox become unresponsive? This bothersome problem could arise from malicious or unreliable extensions/plugins, permission issues, excessive CPU/RAM usage, extensive download histories, web caches, etc.

However, there's no need to panic! Below, we will outline several ways to fix Mozilla Firefox when it becomes unresponsive.

Tip 1: Run a PC Scan with MiniTool System Booster

When Firefox freezes, halts, or doesn't respond, other programs might be consuming system resources. In such scenarios, stopping those programs can be beneficial.

Moreover, cache, browsing data, and other data can cause Firefox to stop working. Clearing these elements can be helpful.

Considering these situations, we suggest using MiniTool System Booster, a dependable and specialized PC optimization software. You can use it to terminate resource-intensive background tasks, clear cached files, browsing history, and cookies, and remove junk files to fix Firefox freezing, halting, or not responding. Besides these features, MiniTool System Booster focuses on enhancing PC performance from various angles.

Now, let’s delve into how to address your issue from two perspectives.

Step 1: Download, install, and open MiniTool System Booster.

Step 2: Navigate to the Deepclean tool under Performance. It enables you to carry out NetBooster and Internet Cleanup. The former helps diagnose Internet problems and boost network connectivity, while the latter assists in deleting browser cache files, cookies, Internet junk files, browsing data, saved passwords, and more.

Simply press START CLEAN to initiate both tasks. For the remaining operations, skip the ones you wish to bypass.

Step 3: To stop numerous background processes that consume significant amounts of RAM and CPU, go to Toolbox > Process Scanner. Following the scan, click Terminate Process beside each process to end them individually.

Tip 2: Verify Access Rights

Mozilla Firefox must have permission to create files within the profile folder. If your profile file only has read-only access, Firefox not responding will occur. Ensure you possess the appropriate permissions.

Step 1: Press Win R to open Run, type %APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\, and click OK. A window containing your profile folders will appear.

Step 2: Locate the desired folder, right-click on it, and select Properties.

Step 3: In the General tab, uncheck the box labeled Read-only and save the changes.

Tip 3: Generate a New Places Database

If Firefox randomly freezes, the probable cause could involve a corrupted places database that holds bookmarks, input history, browsing history, favorite icons, etc. Creating a new database will resolve the issue, but it will erase all this information. Remember to export your bookmarks beforehand.

Also read: How to Backup Firefox Bookmarks and Restore Them?

Step 1: Launch Firefox, click the ≡ button, navigate to Help > More Troubleshooting Information.

Step 2: Under Application Basics, locate Profile Folder and click Open Folder.

Step 3: Close Firefox and rename the files places.sqlite to places.sqlite.old and places.sqlite-journal to places.sqlite-journal.old in the opened profile folder.

Step 4: Restart Firefox, and a new places database will be generated. Don’t forget to import your bookmarks.

Tip 4: Disable Hardware Acceleration

Firefox employs hardware acceleration to enhance its performance, but this feature might lead to Firefox not responding on Windows 11/10. Disable it through these steps:

Step 1: Click on the Hamburger button and proceed to Settings > General.

Step 2: Under Performance, untick Use recommended performance settings and then uncheck Use hardware acceleration when available.

Tip 5: Clear Download History, Cache, and Cookies

When Firefox fails to respond on Windows 10/11, clearing download history, browsing history, cache, and other data can help.

Open the menu, click History > Clear recent history, select Everything from the When dropdown menu, choose History, Cookies and site data, as well as Temporary cached files and pages, and then press Clear.

Alternatively, you can go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data, and click Clear Data.

To clear your download history, click the Hamburger button, choose Downloads, and then click Clear Downloads.

Tip 6: Modify Firefox Download File Location

If Firefox freezes, halts, or ceases to respond when downloading a program or file, try changing the default storage location.

Step 1: Go to Settings > General.

Step 2: In the Downloads section, click Browse.

Step 3: Select a different location.

Tip 7: Update, Refresh, or Reinstall Firefox

Occasionally, encountering Firefox not responding upon startup can be resolved by updating, refreshing, or reinstalling it.

Open the Settings menu, go to General > Firefox Updates > Check for updates to update Mozilla Firefox.

To refresh Firefox, click the Hamburger button, navigate to Help > More Troubleshooting Information > Refresh Firefox (click twice).

To reinstall Firefox, uninstall it via Control Panel or using MiniTool System Booster mentioned earlier (click Toolbox > Advanced Uninstaller) and re-download the installer, complete the installation.

Final Thoughts

These are common approaches to resolving Firefox not responding in Windows 11/10. Attempt each one sequentially until you discover the method that works for you. Hopefully, you'll successfully resolve your issue.

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