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page loads and video playback has hiccups

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  • 4 have this problem
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  • Last reply by Andrew

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I use Firefox as my primary browser, now on version 26. Even while I'm typing this, even text has a "hesitation" about every second. I have a number of tabs open often, and usually have a half-dozen Pinned Tabs as well. I noticed (about 2 weeks ago) that every function -- including typing in a field, as well as: page loads, video playback, ... everything -- had a slight hiccup in processing, relatively close to a second (00:00:01) apart from the next one, and so on.

If I close some tabs, it doesn't seem to help. If I Quit Firefox, then it is smooth, but only for a short while. If I clear cache, it doesn't seem to help -- only Quit works for a short time. I don't experience this issue with Safari or Chrome. Any suggestions?

I use Firefox as my primary browser, now on version 26. Even while I'm typing this, even text has a "hesitation" about every second. I have a number of tabs open often, and usually have a half-dozen Pinned Tabs as well. I noticed (about 2 weeks ago) that every function -- including typing in a field, as well as: page loads, video playback, ... everything -- had a slight hiccup in processing, relatively close to a second (00:00:01) apart from the next one, and so on. If I close some tabs, it doesn't seem to help. If I Quit Firefox, then it is smooth, but only for a short while. If I clear cache, it doesn't seem to help -- only Quit works for a short time. I don't experience this issue with Safari or Chrome. Any suggestions?

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Hi Steve C!

Thanks for contacting us here at Mozilla Support. There are a variety of reasons for these types of issues but lets start off with safe mode. The screenshots attached is not related to your OS but may help you find your way.

Try Firefox Safe Mode to see if the problem goes away. Safe Mode is a troubleshooting mode, which disables most add-ons.


(If you're not using it, switch to the Default theme.)

  • On Mac you can open Firefox 4.0+ in Safe Mode by holding the option key while starting Firefox.
  • Or open the Help menu and click on the Restart with Add-ons Disabled... menu item while Firefox is running.

FirefoxSafeMode

Once you get the pop-up, just select "'Start in Safe Mode" Safe Mode Fx 15 - Win

If the issue is not present in Firefox Safe Mode, your problem is probably caused by an extension, and you need to figure out which one. Please follow the Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems article for that.

To exit the Firefox Safe Mode, just close Firefox and wait a few seconds before opening Firefox for normal use again.

When you figure out what's causing your issues, please let us know. It might help other users who have the same problem.

Thank you.