The old cache was disabled when you would use "Clear history when Firefox closes" to clear the cache. With the current new cache2 service this is no longer the case and the disk cache is used and thus need to be cleared when specified. If clearing the disk cache takes a lot of time then you can consider to set a lower maximum. Also make sure that security software isn't interfering with accessing files in the cache.

Joe_Heller said

I have used Firefox for Mac for several years. I have always had my pref set to "Clear History when Firefox closes" Up until version 32, Firefox would close in a few seconds. Now it takes 2 - 4 minutes to close. I have to quit Firefox separately before choosing "Shut Down", otherwise the shut down is stopped. I have read articles here that suggest that unchecking the preference for clearing history is a "solution". Giving up the automatic clearing of history may solve this problem, but now there is a new problem. Do I need to manually clear history every time before quitting Firefox? That is not a true solution. In my case, why did this problem start with v. 32?

I had exactly the same problem. I fixed it as Joe Heller did: I had 'cache' checked along with 'clear history when Firefox closes'. I unchecked 'cache' and unchecked 'clear history when Firefox closes'.

Firefox now closes perfectly and very quickly. I also installed the 'clear cache' button in my toolbar as suggested in this thread. Thanks Joe Heller!!!!

You can select one item at the time in the "Clear history when Firefox closes" settings to see if that allows to find the cause of the hang.

See if this can help you

Expire history by days {web link} Allows to expire history older than a fixed amount of days.

Joe_Heller said

I have used Firefox for Mac for several years. I have always had my pref set to "Clear History when Firefox closes" Up until version 32, Firefox would close in a few seconds. Now it takes 2 - 4 minutes to close. I have to quit Firefox separately before choosing "Shut Down", otherwise the shut down is stopped. I have read articles here that suggest that unchecking the preference for clearing history is a "solution". Giving up the automatic clearing of history may solve this problem, but now there is a new problem. Do I need to manually clear history every time before quitting Firefox? That is not a true solution. In my case, why did this problem start with v. 32?

I AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY... plus Firefox freezes on me and I have to force quit. Firefox used to be the easiest browser to use with Macs but not now. Why the Hell won't Mozilla fix it?

You can't fix something until you know what is broken.

Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web Link} by holding down the <Shift (Mac Options) > key, and then starting Firefox.

Jump around a few safe web sites. Then close. Is the problem still there?

Please see my post above of 2/15 at 4:00pm. Thanks for Joe Heller, I solved the problem. Without knowing what was 'broken'. Sometimes you get lucky...

There has been a lot of good advice here since last October.

I current;y have "Browsing and Download history" cleared when I quit. I unchecked all other choices.

If I add any additional choices, I have problems. It's not what I prefer (nice to clear the cache) but it eliminates the freezes on shutdown.

I have to quit Firefox separately before choosing "Shut Down", otherwise the shut down is stopped.

You should NEVER shut down the operating system with Firefox running! Close any running applications before shutting down the operating system. Doing that with a browser especially can corrupt files in the profile.

finitarry said

I have to quit Firefox separately before choosing "Shut Down", otherwise the shut down is stopped.

You should NEVER shut down the operating system with Firefox running! Close any running applications before shutting down the operating system. Doing that with a browser especially can corrupt files in the profile.

finitarry what do you suggest I do when Firefox freezes which it often does when I try to close it? I keep checking and re-checking the system and nothing appears to be wrong.

Force quit Firefox, then shut down the operating system. If Firefox freezes everything in the whole system, then you have no choice but to press the shutdown button (because you cannot even pull down the Apple menu) on the computer, but otherwise close an application before shutting down the operating system. I took to cleaing data manually from the History menu on Firefox because there are times when I do not want the data cleared automatically on exit, and the setting in the Preferences no longer asks first.

If there are problems with clearing items automatically on shutdown then this might be an indication that there is a problem with the files that stores this data or you might have (security) software that keeps a lock or handle on files and prevents Firefox from updating the files.

Fabadelic said

finitarry said

I have to quit Firefox separately before choosing "Shut Down", otherwise the shut down is stopped.

You should NEVER shut down the operating system with Firefox running! Close any running applications before shutting down the operating system. Doing that with a browser especially can corrupt files in the profile.

finitarry what do you suggest I do when Firefox freezes which it often does when I try to close it? I keep checking and re-checking the system and nothing appears to be wrong.

finitarry I believe that if you had carefully read what I said above, where I made it quite clear what happens, perhaps you wouldn't have had a rude rant at me!

Fabadelic said

finitarry said

I have to quit Firefox separately before choosing "Shut Down", otherwise the shut down is stopped.

You should NEVER shut down the operating system with Firefox running! Close any running applications before shutting down the operating system. Doing that with a browser especially can corrupt files in the profile.

finitarry what do you suggest I do when Firefox freezes which it often does when I try to close it? I keep checking and re-checking the system and nothing appears to be wrong.

finitarry I would have thought that what I said above made it clear that Firefox FREEZES!

cor-el said

If there are problems with clearing items automatically on shutdown then this might be an indication that there is a problem with the files that stores this data or you might have (security) software that keeps a lock or handle on files and prevents Firefox from updating the files.

cor-el I frequently update Firefox and keep running diagnostics which tell me nothing is corrupted. I wish you guys would try to remember that people such as me are not techs, hence we don't necessarily use tech-speak!

Check all of your security programs, and tell them to leave browsers alone.