FireFox desktop will not load (most) pages
I use FF on desktop. Recently, I've run into a problem. My desktop browser will not load any pages... except Youtube. Youtube loads just fine, I can open a video or browse channels or community pages normally. I have fully reset my browser, reinstalled it, and disabled extensions. Other browsers on my PC will work normally. I have very few extensions: Sponsorblock for Youtube, uBlock Origin, and Facebook Container, that's it. I am not using a proxy or VPN. Troubleshoot mode did not fix the issue. I'm not the most tech savvy, so I apologize if I missed anything here.
Any insight is appreciated. Thanks!
All Replies (6)
Hi Emmy, sorry for the delayed reply! Assuming this hasn't resolved itself by now:
When a page doesn't load, what is the reason Firefox gives, if any? For example:
- Site/Server not found
- Timed out trying to load
- Just got a blank page
- Secure connection error
Details from the error page could be helpful.
If I try to load a page, it will sit idle for a minute and give me the message "The connection has timed out. An error has occurred trying to connect to (website.com)." I will sometimes get the following message as well: "Secure connection failed. An error occurred during a connection to www.pbs.org. PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR. Error code: PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR."
Further testing allows wikipedia.org, ebay.com, nytimes.com, duckduckgo.com, netflix.com, hulu.com and amazon.com to load; a seemingly random collection. Google.com will load, and I can search, view images, shopping, etc. However, clicking a link to most websites won't work.
It's strange that some sites work and some sites do not.
Sometimes a security software filter that does a cloud lookup can cause a problem on the first request. In the time-out scenario, if you click the Stop button after 10 seconds and then click the Reload button, does Firefox do any better on the second try? Third try?
The PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR code indicates a problem setting up the SSL handshake, but unfortunately doesn't have a clear diagnosis. Could you modify the proxy setting on the Settings page and see whether this helps:
- "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Settings
- type or paste about:preferences into the address bar and press Enter to load it
In the very tiny search box at the top of the page, type proxy and Firefox should filter to the "Network Settings" section.
Click the Settings button, select "No Proxy" near the top of the dialog, and click OK near the bottom of the dialog.
Any difference?
You also could checked whether any of the relevant preferences have been modified/customized:
(1) In a new tab, type or paste about:config in the address bar and press Enter/Return. Click the button accepting the risk.
More info on about:config: Configuration Editor for Firefox. The moderators would like us to remind you that changes made through this back door aren't fully supported and aren't guaranteed to continue working in the future.
(2) In the search box in the page, type or paste security.tls and pause while the list is filtered
Firefox should list about 22 rows of preferences with their default values. If any row with a true/false or numeric value is bolded, you can click the left-arching Reset arrow at the right end of the row to restore the default value.
(3) In the search box in the page, type or paste security.ssl and pause while the list is filtered
Firefox should list about 24 rows of preferences with their default values. If any row with a true/false value is bolded, you can click the left-arching Reset arrow at the right end of the row to restore the default value.
Was anything customized there?
Attempting to reload the pages gives the same error type, either timed out or no secure connection. The stop button doesn't really work here, if I hit it I cannot reload, the address bar is empty.
I am already using the "no proxy" setting. (I asked a friend before coming here and that was their advice)
Under security.tls, all settings EXCEPT security.tls.insecure_fallback_hosts (this row is empty) have a true or false flag or a value of 100, 4 or 3. Nothing appears bolded.
Under security.ssl, all settings have a true or false flag.
If I check the "Show only modified preferences" box, both return no results.
Please can you see if any of the add-ons that you are using need to be updated. This support article should help:
Did you check for issues with your Avast security software ?
Reboot the computer into Windows Safe Mode with network support to see if that has effect.
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