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

Cuireadh an snáithe seo sa chartlann. Cuir ceist nua má tá cabhair uait.

Cannot launch Firefox after installing but firefox.exe appears in Windows Task Manager

  • 2 fhreagra
  • 3 leis an bhfadhb seo
  • 15 views
  • Freagra is déanaí ó cor-el

more options

I recently got a new computer and I am having a problem installing Firefox. In the installation wizard, the last step gives the option to launch Firefox after you click finish, but no window opens. I click on the shortcuts, navigate to the .exe file, use Window's Run tool and nothing will launch Firefox. I am also unable to launch Firefox Profiles Manager using Windows Run tool.

Each time I click the Firefox shortcut, another instance of firefox.exe appears in my Windows Task Manager under Processes. I have uninstalled Firefox (including removing the profile folders/all personal data), but the same issue occurs when I install Firefox the next time.

This is a brand new computer running Windows XP, Service Pack 3 (I am unable to use Windows 7 due to work application compatibility constraints). When I first turned it on this morning, I was able to install and run Firefox. I loaded my profile using Firefox Sync from my old computer to my new computer. Everything was running perfectly, I could pull up the tabs from Old Comp onto New Comp. All my passwords and bookmarks transferred.

Everything fell apart after I installed an Adobe Flash plugin required for one of my bookmarked pages. The Flash installation required me to close Mozilla, and it has never re-opened since. I have uninstalled all the Adobe flash plug-ins I can find using the Add/Remove Programs tool. I have restarted the computer several times, uninstalled and re-installed Mozilla, and tried everything else I can think to do.

What could be prevent Firefox from launching at this point? What should I try next, short of reformatting the entire computer and reinstalling Windows?

I recently got a new computer and I am having a problem installing Firefox. In the installation wizard, the last step gives the option to launch Firefox after you click finish, but no window opens. I click on the shortcuts, navigate to the .exe file, use Window's Run tool and nothing will launch Firefox. I am also unable to launch Firefox Profiles Manager using Windows Run tool. Each time I click the Firefox shortcut, another instance of firefox.exe appears in my Windows Task Manager under Processes. I have uninstalled Firefox (including removing the profile folders/all personal data), but the same issue occurs when I install Firefox the next time. This is a brand new computer running Windows XP, Service Pack 3 (I am unable to use Windows 7 due to work application compatibility constraints). When I first turned it on this morning, I was able to install and run Firefox. I loaded my profile using Firefox Sync from my old computer to my new computer. Everything was running perfectly, I could pull up the tabs from Old Comp onto New Comp. All my passwords and bookmarks transferred. Everything fell apart after I installed an Adobe Flash plugin required for one of my bookmarked pages. The Flash installation required me to close Mozilla, and it has never re-opened since. I have uninstalled all the Adobe flash plug-ins I can find using the Add/Remove Programs tool. I have restarted the computer several times, uninstalled and re-installed Mozilla, and tried everything else I can think to do. What could be prevent Firefox from launching at this point? What should I try next, short of reformatting the entire computer and reinstalling Windows?

All Replies (2)

more options

I have tried installing an older version (Mozilla 12.0) and still have no ability to open/launch Firefox after installation completes.

This is so frustrating!

more options

A possible cause is security software (firewall,anti-virus) that blocks or restricts Firefox or the plugin-container process without informing you, possibly after detecting changes (update) to the Firefox program.

Remove all rules for Firefox and the plugin-container from the permissions list in the firewall and let your firewall ask again for permission to get full unrestricted access to internet for Firefox and the plugin-container process and the updater process.

See:


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

You can try to reset Firefox and create a new profile.