The browser may start to crash frequently, become unresponsive, and, in severe cases, stop working altogether. In that case, you need to fix Firefox so you can use it on your computer. So, in the following guide, we have discussed a few troubleshooting tips to fix Firefox and get it up and running again.
Fix Firefox Not Working in Windows 11
Firefox can start acting up due to several reasons. A browser extension could be causing problems, you may be using an outdated version of the browser, causing compatibility issues, or the browser cache may be the cause of it all. Whatever the reason, you can fix Firefox not working in Windows 11 using the following troubleshooting tips. Before you proceed, check the internet connection. A poor internet connection can also cause browser issues. If you have a weak internet connection, fix it or connect to a stable network; your Firefox issues may get resolved. If the problem is still there, start executing the following tips one after another.
1. Restart Mozilla Firefox
Some Firefox processes may not have been closed and are stuck in the background, causing the problem. So, you have to close all Firefox processes and restart the browser again. 1. Open Windows Task Manager. You can do it by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc or Alt + Ctrl + Del. 2. In the Task Manager, select Firefox under the Processes tab. 3. Click the End task button on top. You can also right-click and select the End task option from the drop menu. 4. Executing these steps will close all Firefox processes on your Windows 11 computer. Relaunch the browser, and check if it is working.
2. Restart Your Computer
If restarting the Firefox browser didn’t work, restart your computer. Restarting the computer is a cliche, according to most people. But it is actually the opposite. A simple restart can fix bugs and temporary glitches with the application and the OS. So, do not take it lightly. It is a simple but effective fix. On your computer, open the Start Menu, click the Power button, and choose the Restart option. Try using Firefox after the restart.
3. Update Firefox
Updating apps is a necessity. The regular updates introduce essential bug fixes, security patches, and fix for compatibility issues. So, it is important for Firefox to have the latest update installed. Quite possibly, the browser is crashing as it is an outdated version. If that’s the case, update the app immediately.
- Launch Firefox on your computer.
- Click the Three Parallel Bar Icon at the far right side of the window.
- Click the Help option.
- Select About Firefox.
- Firefox will start searching for updates by itself.
- Lastly, click Restart to update Firefox. If the problem was related to the outdated version of the Firefox browser, it should be fixed. Launch Firefox and start using it again, hopefully without any issues.
4. Clear Firefox Cache
The cache files are necessary for a browser to perform correctly; they are stored locally to work faster. Unfortunately, these files tend to get corrupted over time. So, removing them could fix a lot of technical issues. If the Firefox browser is still not responding, you might want to try clearing the web browser’s cache.
- Launch Mozilla Firefox on your computer.
- Click the Three Parallel Bar Icon at the far right side of the window.
- Click Settings.
- Select Privacy & Security and scroll down.
- Locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click the Clear Data… option beside it.
- A new popup will launch. In the popup, uncheck Cookies and Site Data but check the Cached Web Content option.
- Lastly, click Clear at the bottom of the popup. Firefox cache files will be removed from your computer and free up some space. Try using Firefox now.
5. Disable Hardware Acceleration
Hardware acceleration is an option in the Firefox setting that makes the browser perform faster. But there is a chance that this option is making the browser sluggish or tamper with its performance. So, try using the browser after disabling this option to fix Firefox not working in Windows 11.
- Launch the Firefox browser on your computer.
- Click the Three Parallel Bar Icon at the top right corner of the browser window.
- Click Settings in the drop menu.
- Choose General and scroll down.
- Locate Performance; under it, you will find Use recommended performance settings.
- Uncheck the option, and the Use hardware acceleration when available option shows up below it. Uncheck it too.
- Restart Firefox after disabling the option, and the browser’s performance should be fixed.
6. Disable Firefox Add-Ons
Firefox add-ons are there to improve the browser functionality. But one of those add-ons could be responsible for Firefox not working on your computer. However, you need to confirm this before taking any action. For this you need to launch Firefox in Troubleshoot Mode. In troubleshooting mode, Firefox runs without any add-ons or themes. To launch Firefox in Troubleshoot Mode:
- Hold the Shift key of your keyboard and double-click the Firefox icon on the desktop.
- Click Open. Firefox will launch in Troubleshoot Mode. If the browser is working fine, one of the add-ons was causing the problem. You need to disable them.
- In Troubleshoot Mode, click the Three Parallel Bar Icon at the top.
- Select Add-ons and themes from the list.
- You can use the switches beside the add-ons to disable them.
- Once the add-ons are disabled, close Firefox.
- Try launching Firefox in normal mode. If Firefox launches in normal mode, you must enable all the add-ons to pinpoint the one causing the issue.
7. Refresh Mozilla Firefox
Customs settings can also be part of the problem. It can make Firefox crash, and changing the setting back to default may fix the issue. If you have made multiple changes or cannot recall which changes you made, refresh the Firefox browser. Refreshing the browser will create a new profile automatically, and all the essential data from your old profile will be imported into your new profile.
- Hold the Shift key of your keyboard and double-click the Firefox icon on the desktop to launch Firefox in Troubleshoot Mode.
- A prompt will appear on the screen, click Refresh Firefox. The process will take a few minutes. After the refresh is complete, Firefox should launch automatically. Try using it now.
8. Reinstall Mozilla Firefox
If nothing’s working, you need to uninstall Firefox from your computer. In such complex cases, it is recommended to reinstall the program. But before that, you need to remove all the traces of the program i.e. Firefox, from your computer. So, here’s what you need to do.
- Press the Win + R keys on the keyboard.
- Type Control Panel in the dialogue box.
- Hit Enter or click OK.
- In Control Panel, go to Programs and Features.
- Locate Mozilla Firefox.
- Click the Uninstall button. A few seconds later, Firefox will be completely removed from your computer. Now, you need to reinstall Firefox.
- Open a different browser, such as Microsoft Edge.
- Go to Mozilla’s website.
- Click Download Firefox.
- The setup file will be downloaded to your computer. Double-click the file to install Mozilla Firefox on your Windows 11 computer.
Why is Firefox crashing on Windows 11?
Many factors are involved; it could be anything from the mismatched cache to settings issues. Even after installing Firefox properly, it can crash occasionally. In most cases, conflicting add-ons and bad extensions are the biggest issues.
How do I check the Firefox version in Windows 11?
Click the Firefox menu in the Menu Bar. Select About Firefox. In the About Firefox window, check the version number. It is listed under the Firefox name.
Is Firefox still good in 2022?
On June 28th, 2022, Mozilla released version 102.2 of the Firefox browser. The new version comes with 20 security patches, five of which are classified as “High.” The latest version also comes with several new privacy features.
What is Waterfox?
Waterfox is Firefox ESR with slower security updates. Waterfox first came to light as a 64-bit browser. It was based on the Firefox codes and used as a replacement, as Firefox only offered a 32-bit version at that time. However, Firefox has a 64-bit version available now.
Is Google Chrome better than Firefox?
It depends on the user’s choices. Firefox is more of a privacy-focused browser; it is secure. In contrast, Google Chrome is faster and comes with various features. Both are safe browsers; Firefox just provides more comprehensive tracking protection.
Enjoy Browsing the Internet with Mozilla’s Masterpiece
In the end, you have to realize no matter how good a program or an application is, it will have issues. The same can be said for a reliable browser such as Mozilla Firefox. Firefox can stop working on Windows 11, and many factors are responsible for it. But worry not you can try the fixes mentioned above in the article to fix Firefox in Windows 11.
Also Read: How to Fix Google Chrome Not Working in Windows 11
