Firefox freezing on Javascript-heavy sites
I've been having a lot of issues with Firefox freezing while using certain sites that seems to use a lot of Javascript.
What I have done so far: I have disabled and removed every plugin, cleared cache, created new profile, refreshed, completely uninstalled, remove folders in both Program Files (x86) and in AppData\Roaming / AppData/Local. I've even tried using the Beta with the same results. It's getting so bad that I can't even open this support page and have to post this in Google Chrome.
This is happening on Windows 10x64 Pro.
Application Basics
Name: Firefox Version: 41.0b2 Build ID: 20150817163452 Update Channel: beta User Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; WOW64; rv:41.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/41.0 Multiprocess Windows: 0/2 (default: false)
Crash Reports for the Last 3 Days
All Crash Reports (including 2 pending crashes in the given time range)
Extensions
Name: Adblock Plus Version: 2.6.10 Enabled: true ID: {d10d0bf8-f5b5-c8b4-a8b2-2b9879e08c5d}
Name: DownThemAll! Version: 2.0.18.1-signed Enabled: true ID: {DDC359D1-844A-42a7-9AA1-88A850A938A8}
Name: Easy Screenshot Version: 1.2.7.1 Enabled: true ID: [email protected]
Name: FastestFox Version: 5.2.1.1-signed Enabled: true ID: [email protected]
Name: Firebug Version: 2.0.11 Enabled: true ID: [email protected]
Name: FireFTP Version: 2.0.24.1-signed Enabled: true ID: {a7c6cf7f-112c-4500-a7ea-39801a327e5f}
Name: FlashDisable Version: 1.1.1.1-signed Enabled: true ID: jid0-bbA9VAawX3LMWDu668aUDrpQVXU@jetpack
Name: FlashGot Version: 1.5.6.12.1-signed Enabled: true ID: {19503e42-ca3c-4c27-b1e2-9cdb2170ee34}
Name: LastPass Version: 3.2.16 Enabled: true ID: [email protected]
Name: Xmarks Version: 4.3.7.1-signed Enabled: true ID: [email protected]
Name: YouTube High Definition Version: 39.0 Enabled: true ID: {7b1bf0b6-a1b9-42b0-b75d-252036438bdc}
Name: Adblock Plus Pop-up Addon Version: 0.9.2.1-signed Enabled: false ID: [email protected]
Name: Adobe Acrobat - Create PDF Version: 2.0 Enabled: false ID: [email protected]
Name: Download Status Bar Version: 12.3.0.1-signed Enabled: false ID: {6c28e999-e900-4635-a39d-b1ec90ba0c0f}
Name: Element Hiding Helper for Adblock Plus Version: 1.3.3 Enabled: false ID: [email protected]
Name: Flashblock Version: 1.5.18.1-signed Enabled: false ID: {3d7eb24f-2740-49df-8937-200b1cc08f8a}
Name: Reddit Enhancement Suite Version: 4.5.4.1-signed Enabled: false ID: jid1-xUfzOsOFlzSOXg@jetpack
Graphics
Adapter Description: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 Adapter Drivers: nvd3dumx,nvwgf2umx,nvwgf2umx,nvwgf2umx nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um Adapter RAM: 2048 Asynchronous Pan/Zoom: none ClearType Parameters: D [ Gamma: 2200 Pixel Structure: R ClearType Level: 100 Enhanced Contrast: 50 ] D [ Gamma: 2200 Pixel Structure: R ClearType Level: 100 Enhanced Contrast: 50 ] Device ID: 0x1401 Direct2D Enabled: true DirectWrite Enabled: true (10.0.10240.16430) Driver Date: 8-6-2015 Driver Version: 10.18.13.5560 GPU #2 Active: false GPU Accelerated Windows: 2/2 Direct3D 11 (OMTC) Subsys ID: 29683842 Supports Hardware H264 Decoding: true Vendor ID: 0x10de WebGL Renderer: Google Inc. -- ANGLE (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 Direct3D11 vs_5_0 ps_5_0) windowLayerManagerRemote: true AzureCanvasBackend: direct2d 1.1 AzureContentBackend: direct2d 1.1 AzureFallbackCanvasBackend: cairo AzureSkiaAccelerated: 0
Important Modified Preferences
accessibility.typeaheadfind.flashBar: 0 browser.cache.disk.capacity: 358400 browser.cache.disk.filesystem_reported: 1 browser.cache.disk.smart_size.first_run: false browser.cache.disk.smart_size.use_old_max: false browser.cache.frecency_experiment: 4 browser.download.folderList: 0 browser.download.importedFromSqlite: true browser.places.smartBookmarksVersion: 7 browser.sessionstore.upgradeBackup.latestBuildID: 20150817163452 browser.startup.homepage_override.buildID: 20150817163452 browser.startup.homepage_override.mstone: 41.0 dom.apps.reset-permissions: true dom.ipc.plugins.asyncInit: false dom.mozApps.used: true extensions.lastAppVersion: 41.0 gfx.direct3d.last_used_feature_level_idx: 0 gfx.driver-init.appVersion: 41.0 gfx.driver-init.deviceID: 0x1401 gfx.driver-init.driverVersion: 10.18.13.5560 gfx.driver-init.feature-d2d: true gfx.driver-init.feature-d3d11: true gfx.driver-init.status: 2 media.gmp-eme-adobe.lastUpdate: 1440042859 media.gmp-eme-adobe.version: 12 media.gmp-gmpopenh264.lastUpdate: 1440042860 media.gmp-gmpopenh264.version: 1.4 media.gmp-manager.buildID: 20150817163452 media.gmp-manager.lastCheck: 1440155216 media.hardware-video-decoding.failed: false network.cookie.prefsMigrated: true network.predictor.cleaned-up: true places.database.lastMaintenance: 1440042981 places.history.expiration.transient_current_max_pages: 104858 plugin.disable_full_page_plugin_for_types: application/pdf plugin.importedState: true privacy.sanitize.migrateFx3Prefs: true storage.vacuum.last.index: 1 storage.vacuum.last.places.sqlite: 1440042981
Important Locked Preferences
JavaScript
Incremental GC: true
Accessibility
Activated: false Prevent Accessibility: 0
Library Versions
NSPR Expected minimum version: 4.10.8 Version in use: 4.10.8
NSS Expected minimum version: 3.19.2 Basic ECC Version in use: 3.19.2 Basic ECC
NSSSMIME Expected minimum version: 3.19.2 Basic ECC Version in use: 3.19.2 Basic ECC
NSSSSL Expected minimum version: 3.19.2 Basic ECC Version in use: 3.19.2 Basic ECC
NSSUTIL Expected minimum version: 3.19.2 Version in use: 3.19.2
Experimental Features
All Replies (10)
Judging by the amount of problems it appears that I'm not alone. I really wonder if Mozilla devs are actually paying attention to these issues since they just keep getting worse. It's a shame, too, since this has always been my browser of choice for many years. Now I'm stuck using Chrome since I can no longer use Firefox without freezing.
Wow, that sounds really bad.
Was this occurring on your previous version of Windows as well, or is this much worse post-upgrade?
Are you getting unresponsive script dialogs from Firefox, or does Windows fade the window and show not responding in the title bar, or any other visual indicator -- or just browser death?
Have you tried disabling the protected mode feature of the Flash player plugin? That feature has security benefits, but seems to have serious compatibility issues on some systems. You can disable it using the Add-ons page. Either:
- Ctrl+Shift+a
- "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
In the left column, click Plugins. On the right side, find "Shockwave Flash" and click the More link. Then uncheck the box for "Enable Adobe Flash protected mode" and try that for a day to see whether it helps.
You didn't mention testing in Firefox's Safe Mode. That's a standard diagnostic tool to deactivate extensions and some advanced features of Firefox. Could you try that for a sufficient period of time to know whether ti makes a difference.
If Firefox is not running: Hold down the Shift key when starting Firefox.
If Firefox is running: You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using either:
- "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
- Help menu > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
and OK the restart.
Both scenarios: A small dialog should appear. Click "Start in Safe Mode" (not Refresh).
Any improvement?
jscher2000 said
Wow, that sounds really bad. Was this occurring on your previous version of Windows as well, or is this much worse post-upgrade? Are you getting unresponsive script dialogs from Firefox, or does Windows fade the window and show not responding in the title bar, or any other visual indicator -- or just browser death? Have you tried disabling the protected mode feature of the Flash player plugin? That feature has security benefits, but seems to have serious compatibility issues on some systems. You can disable it using the Add-ons page. Either:In the left column, click Plugins. On the right side, find "Shockwave Flash" and click the More link. Then uncheck the box for "Enable Adobe Flash protected mode" and try that for a day to see whether it helps.
- Ctrl+Shift+a
- "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
You didn't mention testing in Firefox's Safe Mode. That's a standard diagnostic tool to deactivate extensions and some advanced features of Firefox. Could you try that for a sufficient period of time to know whether ti makes a difference.
If Firefox is not running: Hold down the Shift key when starting Firefox.
If Firefox is running: You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using either:
- "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
- Help menu > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
and OK the restart.
Both scenarios: A small dialog should appear. Click "Start in Safe Mode" (not Refresh).
Any improvement?
While I do have Flash installed, I have even disabled it as it's usually the culprit in FF issues but still remains. Yes, I tried safe mode (forgot to mention) but still freezes. I just installed Win10x64 in a VM to test FF and I'm having the same issues in that as well. No Flash or any other apps installed other than FF.
Does this only happen with the current beta release or also with the Firefox 40 release?
cor-el said
Does this only happen with the current beta release or also with the Firefox 40 release?
Both. It's been happening for a while but it seems to be gradually getting worse. I honestly have no idea what version this started but I'm sure it was pre FF40.
BTW The beta channel (41) got an update but sadly, the issue remains.
Did you check for issues caused by plugins?
You can check for issues caused by plugins and set plugins to "Ask to Activate" on the "Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Plugins" page (plugins are not affected by Firefox Safe Mode)
You can check for problems with current Shockwave Flash plugin versions and try this:
- make sure you have the latest Flash version:
http://www.adobe.com/special/products/flashplayer/fp_distribution3.html - check for updates for your graphics drive drivers
https://support.mozilla.org/kb/upgrade-graphics-drivers-use-hardware-acceleration - disable protected mode in the Flash plugin (Flash 11.3+ on Windows Vista and later)
- disable hardware acceleration in the Flash plugin
- disable hardware acceleration in Firefox
See also:
All plugins are already set to "Ask to activate" for the exception of OpenH264 and Primetime Content, which cannot be set to Ask.
When I go to News Sites filled with many Advertisements trying to interfere with loading the Page with many Java Scripts and Videos to engage in things. It Freezes and Crashes this New Up Date Browser running now on me. I just got Today 41.0 I still like to know what is going On?
Hi MGPfls, there definitely are some pages that contain a lot of extraneous, um, crap, that slows down loading. You might consider using a filtering add-on to reduce the amount of content that loads.
One popular one is Adblock Plus. It will place an icon on the toolbar so if a site doesn't seem to be working correctly, you can turn it off for that site. If you want to try it, it's available here:
https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/adblock-plus/
I actually don't use that myself, but others can help if you have questions about how it works.
jscher2000 said
Hi MGPfls, there definitely are some pages that contain a lot of extraneous, um, crap, that slows down loading. You might consider using a filtering add-on to reduce the amount of content that loads. One popular one is Adblock Plus. It will place an icon on the toolbar so if a site doesn't seem to be working correctly, you can turn it off for that site. If you want to try it, it's available here: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/adblock-plus/ I actually don't use that myself, but others can help if you have questions about how it works.
Thanks! I added this addon/adblock-plus Nice to see my News sites page loads without frittering about with the Advertisement interference's and loads more quickly blocking this other stuff.