Firefox not opening

LMWT · Aug 5, 2022

Hello, this is my first post to this forum.

This just happened yesterday, photo attached shows what I get when I attempt to open Firefox browser - it won't! The a small "window" as shown appears when I click on the toolbar icon, but that's it.
This has happened with another program in the past, then I just deleted, reinstalled and all was good.
I would like to fix this rather than delete and reinstall. Just in case, I have imported all my bookmarks to another browser - that worked!
I am using the latest Firefox version.
Can I fix this without deleting and reinstalling (reinstalling over existing doesn't fix it)
If I cannot fix this will finding and copying the correct bookmarks file in the existing program be OK to do? I have looked and there are several files named bookmarks, assume I could save this file and restore it to new copy of Firefox.
Finally slightly off subject, any advise on what's the best browser to use.

Thanks for any help with this.

Not Myself · Aug 5, 2022

First thing to try is to hold down the shift key then try to start Fx; if that works, this method starts Fx in Troubleshooting Mode.

The-Hive · Aug 5, 2022

Check if any recent updates and clear cache, that is a good starting point

Quandary · Aug 5, 2022

Also open Task Manager (Ctrl-Shift-Esc) and make sure that there are no task entries for FF. If there is just end them.

TheVisitor · Aug 5, 2022

Your profile which has your 'data', bookmarks etc will not be affected by a uninstall/re-install. Just go to add/remove programs of Windows ->settings-> apps remove from there and re-install. Again - your 'profile' will not be affected.

EDIT: Long time user and 14yrs or testing Firefox and use Nightly builds.

The-Hive · Aug 5, 2022

TheVisitor said:
Your profile which has your 'data', bookmarks etc will not be affected by a uninstall/re-install. Just go to add/remove programs of Windows ->settings-> apps remove from there and re-install. Again - your 'profile' will not be affected.

Personally I would look for a simple option first, If you don't cure the problem, it could well be there when you reinstall I sure think Quandry's idea is good

Berton · Aug 5, 2022

What I see on that image is that Firefox is open but in a reduced window size. Move the mouse pointer to an edge and see if it can be resized or press the middle icon in the upper right corner to Restore or Maximize. Also could try F11 to go to Full Screen [Yes, that is different from Maximized]. An open program shows a line under the icon for it on the Taskbar.

imanlien2020 · Aug 5, 2022

i did have a similar issue awhile back. it wasnt firefox for me it was related to a windows update. Did it work for you say last week? can you check your windows updates and see if you had one recently as in this week and I would uninstall it. then reboot and see what happens. Many of my apps were doing a weird thing where i would open it and it would be downsized like that, id click on the taskbar icon and it would open but then i couldnt close the window. the only way i could close anything was to go into task manager and find the process and close it that way..talk about crazy irritating headache.

Bree · Aug 5, 2022

LMWT said:
a small "window" as shown appears when I click on the toolbar icon, but that's it.

Sometimes the coordinates for an app's window's size and position can get corrupted. Your little 'windows' shows Firefox is obviously working, it has a web page showing. But when you click on it the full size window is probably trying to display somewhere off the edge of your screen.

Changing your display resolution to something smaller, then back to normal again, may reset the window's coordinates.

You could also try right-clicking on the little window and selecting Maximise.

LMWT · Aug 5, 2022

Not Myself said:
First thing to try is to hold down the shift key then try to start Fx; if that works, this method starts Fx in Troubleshooting Mode.

Thank you all so much for the great replies,

I decided I would start with the first reply from Not Myself and so happy, problem solved - shift key + Open Fx
I normally use one click to open things, so initially thought this wasn't going to work, did a double click and choose to refresh Fx..................

All good now, just have to restore some customizations and a few extensions

LMWT · Aug 5, 2022

Bree said:
Sometimes the coordinates for an app's window's size and position can get corrupted. Your little 'windows' shows Firefox is obviously working, it has a web page showing. But when you click on it the full size window is probably trying to display somewhere off the edge of your screen.

Changing your display resolution to something smaller, then back to normal again, may reset the window's coordinates.

You could also try right-clicking on the little window and selecting Maximise.

View attachment 35695

Thank you for the reply,

Tried maximise before posting the thread with no success.

LMWT · Aug 5, 2022

Berton said:
What I see on that image is that Firefox is open but in a reduced window size. Move the mouse pointer to an edge and see if it can be resized or press the middle icon in the upper right corner to Restore or Maximize. Also could try F11 to go to Full Screen [Yes, that is different from Maximized]. An open program shows a line under the icon for it on the Taskbar.

Thank you Berton,

Before posting the query, did try what you wrote but not F11!

Berton · Aug 5, 2022

I frequently use F11 when trying to view items that are just a bit too big for the Maximized program.

LMWT · Aug 5, 2022

The-Hive said:
Check if any recent updates and clear cache, that is a good starting point

Thanks The-Hive,

I did those but it didn't help.

LMWT · Aug 5, 2022

Quandary said:
Also open Task Manager (Ctrl-Shift-Esc) and make sure that there are no task entries for FF. If there is just end them.

Hi Quandary,

Tried that, didn't solve the problem.

LMWT · Aug 5, 2022

TheVisitor said:
Your profile which has your 'data', bookmarks etc will not be affected by a uninstall/re-install. Just go to add/remove programs of Windows ->settings-> apps remove from there and re-install. Again - your 'profile' will not be affected.

EDIT: Long time user and 14yrs or testing Firefox and use Nightly builds.

Thanks TheVisitor,

That's the one I was a bit cautious about doing, but good advice for the future!

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