why is firefox not working

[norseamd]

Firefox will load up the program but not load up any searches or websites. Steam and Internet Explorer still work normally. Why? I am so confused.

 

[mikeymikec]

You could try starting it in Safe Mode - when you click/double-click on FF, hold down the Shift key while doing so. It should then throw up a message confirming that you want to start it in safe mode.

 

[norseamd]

Nothing. Also I restarted my computer and everything was still not working.

 

[HOSED]

you could also try using a new profile to start firefox - https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/k...ctlocale=en-US&redirectslug=Managing+profiles
This refers to XP but I know this procedure works on Win 7 & maybe 8.
If all else fails I would totally remove FF http://kb.mozillazine.org/Uninstalling_Firefox
Then reboot and do a fresh install. (hopefully someone has a less drastic idea).

 

[mikeymikec]

Has your install of FF been updated recently? I'm wondering if the update went wrong.

 

[norseamd]

Yep

Firefox 31 just came out not that long ago.

 

[mikeymikec]

Did that update go on successfully, or did the problem start then?

HOSED has a good idea, and you don't need to lose your original profile in the process.

 

[norseamd]

Reinstalling did nothing although I did not restart my computer when uninstalling and reinstalling.

 

[mikeymikec]

What about the new profile?

 

[norseamd]

nope

 

[mikeymikec]

I wonder if registry entries are cleared out when Firefox is installed.

HKLM > SOFTWARE > MOZILLA
HKLM > SOFTWARE > MOZILLA.ORG
HKLM > SOFTWARE > MOZILLAPLUGINS

HKLM > SOFTWARE > WOW32NODE > MOZILLA
HKLM > SOFTWARE > WOW32NODE > MOZILLA.ORG
HKLM > SOFTWARE > WOW32NODE > MOZILLAPLUGINS

Check HKCU as well.

Did you go through the instructions on that page for clearing out the relevant folders? You could just rename the profile folder location if you don't want to delete your profile yet.

 

[norseamd]

Well after days of Internet Explorer pissing me off I went back to try Firefox and found out what is causing the problem.

My Bitdefender firewall is somehow blocking Firefox from doing anything. I figured that might be the problem since since Firefox works normally but there is no real communication going on. So some how I have to get my firewall to allow Firefox to work normally.

 

[norseamd]

Running off of Windows firewall. Is there any way I can get the Bitdefender Firewall to work with Firefox like it used to?

 

[bruceb]

See link for how to do it:

http://www.bitdefender.com/support/how-to-add-exceptions-1163.html

Also you can add a Firewall rule for an application:
1. Go to the Settings overview window, and then click on the Firewall panel.
2. Click on Application rules, and then select Browse.
3. Browse to the application and click Ok, and then make sure the following settings are enabled:

- Select both "Local Address" and "Remote Address" boxes
- At "Network type" select "Trusted", “Home/Office”, “Public”, “Untrusted”.
- Events > select all the boxes (Listen, Traffic, Connect)
- Protocol: Any
- Direction: Both
- IP version: Any
- Permission: Allow
Click on OK and close the Rules window.
​

 

[norseamd]

There is an exception for the Firefox program. Is there any way I can check to see if everything is working properly?

 

[norseamd]

The only options I have after clicking on application rules are add rule, edit rule, remove rule, and reset rules.

 

[bruceb]

Can't really say, just be sure Firefox is able to use Port 80 (both ways)

 

[Ketchup]

I am glad you figured out the problem norseamd, but I am curious as to why you want the BitDefender firewall back? Windows firewall is very customizable if you would want more blocks/allows than the stock settings.

 

[norseamd]

Well I will just keep Windows firewall on until I can find a way to get the Bitdefender firewall to work. And I can not find anything in the firewall concerning program exceptions related to certain ports to block or unblock.