Basic troubleshooting steps in Firefox
Many common issues with Firefox browser can be easily resolved by following some troubleshooting steps:
Restart the browser: Close the Firefox browser completely: Select file option from the menu that is at the top of Firefox window. You have to then select 'Quit menu item'. Restart your pc and start the Firefox browser again.
Another option would be to clear private data: Most issues related to loading web pages will be resolved by deleting Firefox's cache and cookies. Now click on tools menu and choose Clear private data option to open clear private data window. Choose the items given below and then select “Clear private data now”
1] Cache
2] Cookies
3] Download History
Troubleshoot themes and extensions: Add-ons installed to enhance the features of Firefox are sometimes responsible for causing problems. To know whether Firefox add-ons are causing problems, you should open Firefox browser in safe mode.
For opening it in safe mode, do the following:
1] Close the Firefox browser completely: Select file option from the menu that is at the top of Firefox window. You have to then select 'Quit menu item'.
2] Go to start option and then select 'run'.
Now type /path/to/firefox/firefox-safe mode.
3] Firefox will then start and Firefox safe mode dialog box will be displayed.
4] In this dialog box, you have to click on “Continue in safe mode”
5] Now test whether the problem still exists.
Therefore, if the problem doesn't exist in safe mode then probably the theme or extension is likely the main cause.
Reset preferences: If the problem was not fixed after disabling add-ons then you may have to configure Firefox.
1] Close the Firefox browser completely: Select file option from the menu that is at the top of Firefox window. You have to then select 'Quit menu item'.
2] Go to start option and then select 'run'.
Now type /path/to/firefox/firefox-safe mode.
3] Firefox will then start and Firefox safe mode dialog box will be displayed.
4] In this dialog box, you have to checkmark the “Reset all user preferences to Firefox defaults” and “Reset toolbars and controls”.
5] For applying your changes, you need to click on “Make changes and restart”.
Troubleshooting Plugins: Firefox plugins like Flash, Adobe Reader, QuickTime can cause problems.
The above troubleshooting steps do resolve most of the Firefox issues. These troubleshooting steps are very easy to implement.
Further troubleshooting steps
Create a new profile: Corrupt profiles can lead to a number of problems with Firefox. To create new profile, do the following:
1] Start profile manager
2] Now create new profile
3] Click on newly created profile in profile manager and then select “start Firefox”.
Now check whether the problem occurs with new profile. In case it doesn't occur, you need to copy the new data and paste it onto the new profile. For troubleshooting purposes, you need to copy files that contain saved passwords and bookmarks.
Clean reinstall: To resolve certain Firefox issues, you need to download a new Firefox installer. It is available at Mozilla.com. After downloading it, you need to close the Firefox browser, delete Firefox application folder and then again reinstall Firefox. If the problem still occurs, completely remove the Firefox folder and then install the official Firefox version.
1] Don't even think of unofficial download websites as they bundle Firefox browser with other software like Google Toolbar.
2] If you want to retain your present profile then you should create a backup copy of that profile.
3] Uninstall Firefox. Ensure that you have uninstalled Firefox from operating system. Make sure you have deleted Firefox application folder and Firefox profile folder.
4] Reinstall Firefox
Technorati Tags: Mozilla, Mozilla Firefox, features of Firefox, Firefox 3,
Tags: Extensions & Plugins
