How was the home page set up? What link are you using?

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-to-set-the-home-page

I clicked on Tools, Options, Home, typed in "google", selected "https://www.google.com" from the drop-down. Exited and restarted Firefox.

What I forgot to mention in my initial post is that once Firefox settles out on a blank tab, clicking on the Home button brings up google.

I saw in another forum something about Avast! being a potential issue with TLS handshake timeout. I know he's using Avast! so I'll try to remote in tomorrow and check that. Don't remember there being any non-standard extensions or plugins installed but will verify.

Thanks.

Sorry for the delayed update.

I was able to remote into the laptop earlier this evening and compared his settings with mine (I have no issues setting google as my home page). I found no differences in the settings of Firefox, Avast! and the PCs.

Also want to note this behavior started prior to this week's Windows update. He will try an uninstall/reinstall of Firefox as soon as he completes his current project.

At a total loss here; hoping someone can shed some light on this.

Try to disable IPv6 (check for other possible causes as well).

• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-cant-load-websites-other-browsers-can

Hello, all -- Finally got over to the laptop in question.

A Malwarebytes scan identified and quarantined about 12 PUPs. No joy. Solving the problem required a uninstall/reinstall of Firefox which created a completely new user profile.

Thanks, all, for the assist.

That was very good work. Well Done.