Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Why does Version 23.0.1 freeze (or slowly load) certain websites? I clear cache daily and Reset Firefox recently, so those things are not the issue.

more options

Can you tell me why Firefox has trouble loading some websites, such as, I just tried to go to www.Khanacademy.com and while loading the page the browser was just clocking, meaning the cursor became the circle implying its loading, this went on for a long time and then just froze up, so I kept waiting and finally the page loaded.

I reset Firefox recently due to "freezing" problems so I do not think resetting again will fix it. My plugins are all up to date. I clearly cookies upon closing and cache daily. I have had this "freezing" problem with many versions of Firefox and I do not understand how to fix it. I thought it was a Flash problem, but all of my flash program are up to date, so is Java.

Could it be a Flash or Java script problem I am not aware of?

Can you tell me why Firefox has trouble loading some websites, such as, I just tried to go to www.Khanacademy.com and while loading the page the browser was just clocking, meaning the cursor became the circle implying its loading, this went on for a long time and then just froze up, so I kept waiting and finally the page loaded. I reset Firefox recently due to "freezing" problems so I do not think resetting again will fix it. My plugins are all up to date. I clearly cookies upon closing and cache daily. I have had this "freezing" problem with many versions of Firefox and I do not understand how to fix it. I thought it was a Flash problem, but all of my flash program are up to date, so is Java. Could it be a Flash or Java script problem I am not aware of?

All Replies (3)

more options

Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions (Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance).

To Enable SafeMode

  • You can open Firefox 4.0+ in Safe Mode by holding the Shift key when you open the Firefox desktop or Start menu shortcut.
  • Or open the Help menu and click on the Restart with Add-ons Disabled... menu item while Firefox is running.
  • Once you get the pop-up, just select "'Start in Safe Mode"

If it works in Safe Mode and in normal mode with all extensions (Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) disabled then try to find which extension is causing it by enabling one extension at a time until the problem reappears.

Close and restart Firefox after each change via "Firefox > Exit" (Windows: Firefox/File > Exit; Mac: "Firefox > Quit Firefox"; Linux: "Firefox/File > Quit")

more options

Thank you for the answer, but I do not have any ADD-ON's. I only have one extension "Open link in new tab" and it does not appear to be the issue.

more options

Yes, Flash is always a possible culprit. This is some standard guidance that addresses the most common issues with the plugin. I'm sure you've seen some of it before, but just in case... if this started after a recent Windows update, I suggest starting with step (3).'

(1) Make sure all recorders/downloaders that interact with Flash media are as up-to-date as possible, or disable them.

(2) Disable hardware graphics acceleration in Firefox and in Flash

(A) In Firefox, un-check the box here and restart:

orange Firefox button (or Tools menu) > Options > Advanced > General > "Use hardware acceleration when available"

(B) In Flash, see this support article from Adobe: http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/video-playback-issues.html#main_Solve_video_playback_issues

(3) Disable protected mode (Windows Vista/7/8)

See this support article from Adobe under the heading "Last Resort": Adobe Forums: How do I troubleshoot Flash Player's protected mode for Firefox?