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Ctrl+F4 not closing tabs anymore?

  • 4 replies
  • 0 have this problem
  • 3 views
  • Last reply by cor-el

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Hi there. I'm using Windows 10. Recently, I have noticed that pressing Ctrl+F4 doesn't close a Firefox tab for me anymore. Ctrl+W does close the current tab, but my muscle memory is for Ctrl+F4 and I'd like to figure out why it quit working.

Any clues for me? Thank you!

Hi there. I'm using Windows 10. Recently, I have noticed that pressing Ctrl+F4 doesn't close a Firefox tab for me anymore. Ctrl+W does close the current tab, but my muscle memory is for Ctrl+F4 and I'd like to figure out why it quit working. Any clues for me? Thank you!

All Replies (4)

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Hmm, still working for me.

One possibility is that something is intercepting the shortcut and preventing it from reaching Firefox. I assume Ctrl+F4 is still working for you in other applications?

Troubleshoot Mode Test

In this mode, Firefox temporarily deactivates extensions, hardware acceleration, any userChrome.css/userContent.css files, and some other advanced features to help you assess whether these are causing the problem.

If Firefox is running:

You can restart Firefox in Safe/Troubleshoot Mode using either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > Help > Troubleshoot Mode... (before Fx88: Restart with Add-ons Disabled)
  • (menu bar) Help menu > Troubleshoot Mode... (before Fx88: Restart with Add-ons Disabled)

and OK the restart. A small dialog should appear. Click the Open button (before Fx88: "Start in Safe Mode" button).

If Firefox is not running:

Hold down the Shift key when starting Firefox. (On Mac, hold down the option/alt key instead of the Shift key.) A small dialog should appear. Click the Open button (before Fx88: "Start in Safe Mode" button).

Note: Don't use the Refresh without first reviewing this article to understand what will be deleted: Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings.

Any improvement?

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Are both left and right control keys affected or only one of them ?

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Thank you for your efforts. :)

I've noticed that Windows has opened a Speech Recognition Wizard window under Firefox. Upon closing it, Ctrl+F4 reopens it. Seems Windows is intercepting the Ctrl+F4 before Firefox sees it.

FWIW, it's both left and right control.

Now I just have to figure out how to get Windows to Stop It.

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Maybe tr to disable the accessibility services.