Windows 10 1607 - Firefox will not start


  1. Posts : 4
    Windows 10
       #1

    Windows 10 1607 - Firefox will not start


    I have been unsuccessful updating two machines to Windows 10 1607. During my latest attempt Firefox would not display its browser screen. If I looked at task manager I could see firefox32* loaded. If I tried to start Firefox again, I would get another firefox32* but no browser screen. I tried starting Firefox holding down the shift key, no add-ons, but no change. I uninstalled Firefox and reinstalled yielding the same result.

    I rolled the machine back to the previous version of Windows 10 and Firefox worked fine. What am I doing wrong? I have been unable to find any other information on this problem.

    Thank you
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 31,474
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #2

    I had no such problem with Firefox and the Anniversary Update. It may be that your Firefox is working too, but the window location is set to appear somewhere outside your desktop area. Do you see a Firefox icon on the taskbar when you have firefox32* running? If so, does a Firefox thumbnail appear when you hover over it? If it does, right-click on the thumbnail view and select Maximise.

    That can get your Firefox visible, but it won't cure the 'outside the screen' problem. One easy way to fix that would be to open anything else at the same time then, using window's 'snap' feature, click-and-drag it to the side of the desktop. This will set the snapped app to occupy one half of the screen and offer a choice of what will occupy the other half. Choose Firefox and its window will be set to appear on your desktop again.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 4
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Bree said:
    I had no such problem with Firefox and the Anniversary Update. It may be that your Firefox is working too, but the window location is set to appear somewhere outside your desktop area. Do you see a Firefox icon on the taskbar when you have firefox32* running? If so, does a Firefox thumbnail appear when you hover over it? If it does, right-click on the thumbnail view and select Maximise.

    That can get your Firefox visible, but it won't cure the 'outside the screen' problem. One easy way to fix that would be to open anything else at the same time then, using window's 'snap' feature, click-and-drag it to the side of the desktop. This will set the snapped app to occupy one half of the screen and offer a choice of what will occupy the other half. Choose Firefox and its window will be set to appear on your desktop again.
    Thank you for your response. The Firefox icon does not appear on the taskbar.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,026
    Win10 Version 21H2 19044.1645
       #4

    Thoughts:

    Any errors noted in the Event Viewer ?

    May try to thoroughly uninstall Firefox by manually removing the registry entries and folders and reinstall. (regedit/this pc)

    Manually set Firefox as your default browser. Open Control Panel/type Default Programs in search bar (upper right)/click Firefox

    Does the icon appear as a Desktop Shortcut immediately after install ? If so, try to launch from desktop and also click desktop icon to place in taskbar.


    Mozilla Forums may also have advice.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 651
    Windows 10 Pro (21H2)
       #5

    Have you tried starting Firefox in Safe Mode, a standard diagnostic procedure?

    Safe Mode - MozillaZine Knowledge Base
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 4
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #6

    torre said:
    Thoughts:

    Any errors noted in the Event Viewer ?

    May try to thoroughly uninstall Firefox by manually removing the registry entries and folders and reinstall. (regedit/this pc)

    Manually set Firefox as your default browser. Open Control Panel/type Default Programs in search bar (upper right)/click Firefox

    Does the icon appear as a Desktop Shortcut immediately after install ? If so, try to launch from desktop and also click desktop icon to place in taskbar.


    Mozilla Forums may also have advice.
    Thank you for your response.

    No errors in the event viewer. I did uninstall Firefox by manually removing the directories, but not the registry entries. I have Firefox as my default browser. Yes, the Firefox icon disappears when I do an uninstall and reappears when I do an install.

    I will try the uninstall and delete the registry entries and see how that works.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 4
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Not Myself said:
    Have you tried starting Firefox in Safe Mode, a standard diagnostic procedure?

    Safe Mode - MozillaZine Knowledge Base
    Yes, I have tried starting Firefox in safe mode.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 31,474
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #8

    There's a comprehensive list of point to check here, including this one that as far as I can tell you haven't tried yet.

    Firefox previously worked
    If Firefox previously worked but suddenly doesn't start, it may be due to some corrupt data in your settings. Uninstalling and reinstalling Firefox would not fix this problem because your settings are not removed on uninstall.
    To test to see if this is the problem, use the Profile Manager to create a new profile. If the problem goes away, you can then move your bookmarks and other important settings into the new profile.
    https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb...viously-worked

    I routinely use the Profile Manager myself. Not for trouble-shooting, but because I need two profiles: one for day to day browsing, the other exclusively for accessing a website I help manage. The bookmarks, cache and cookies are stored completely independently for each profile - reduces the risk of cross-contamination.
      My Computers


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:31.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums