Firefox won't start, can't work out why
Having some trouble with Firefox and I'm at my wits end on how to fix it. Clicking the Firefox icon in Windows 10 (whether that's in the Start menu, the taskbar or the app itself in Program Files) won't launch Firefox. The blue loading spinner appears briefly next to the pointer, then disappears. Sometimes a Firefox process appears in Task Manager then instantly disappears, but sometimes it doesn't. Here's what I've tried so far:
- Restarting - Reinstalling - Deleting my Firefox profile and all Firefox app files - Launching in safe mode by holding shift - Launching in safe mode by adding the "-safe-mode" comment - Running as administrator - Checking it's not being blocked by antivirus - Loading the Firefox profile manager by typing "firefox.exe -P" in the run dialog box. This does the same as trying to load Firefox - nothing happens
I can't think what else to do. It may be a coincidence, but my primary monitor died, I restarted the PC and then Firefox wouldn't work. I can't see how it could be related, but who knows.
Anyway, any help would be greatly appreciated!
Chosen solution
hi, the symptoms sound very similar to https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1590430 - did you ever use comdo security products in the past or even if not, could you check if there's a file called IseGuard64.dll, IseGuard32.dll or similar located under C:\Windows\system32\ or your system drive?
Read this answer in context 👍 2All Replies (11)
Some problems occur when your Internet security program was set to trust the previous version of Firefox, but no longer recognizes your updated version as trusted. Now how to fix the problem: To allow Firefox to connect to the Internet again;
- Make sure your Internet security software is up-to-date (i.e. you are running the latest version).
- Remove Firefox from your program's list of trusted or recognized programs. For detailed instructions, see
Configure firewalls so that Firefox can access the Internet. {web link}
Hi FredMcD, thanks for your suggestions. I tried removing Firefox from McAfee's firewall list (for some reason it was in the list twice), but still no luck. I also followed the instructions in the link you supplied re. setting Firefox's incoming and outgoing permissions to "open to all devices", but that didn't work either :(
In case anyone comes across this later, it was Firefox 71 that seems to be the culprit. I rolled back to Firefox 70.0.1 and that works perfectly. No idea why Firefox 71 was so broken for me.
alexblake2 said
In case anyone comes across this later, it was Firefox 71 that seems to be the culprit. I rolled back to Firefox 70.0.1 and that works perfectly. No idea why Firefox 71 was so broken for me.
I have the same exact problem. 70.0.1 Ok 71 doesn't start
I tried a fresh install after completely uninstalled the previous version and doesn't start.
Can i ask you what is your CPU?
Hi
My CPU is an i7 6700K.
Did you try using something like Revo Uninstaller? I was recommended to try that so that it clears out any lingering registry entries. In the end I didn't need to, as 70.0.1 works fine for me.
If I were you I'd stick with 70 for now and see if there's an update to 71 to fix this issue.
Chosen Solution
hi, the symptoms sound very similar to https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1590430 - did you ever use comdo security products in the past or even if not, could you check if there's a file called IseGuard64.dll, IseGuard32.dll or similar located under C:\Windows\system32\ or your system drive?
philipp said
hi, the symptoms sound very similar to https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1590430 - did you ever use comdo security products in the past or even if not, could you check if there's a file called IseGuard64.dll, IseGuard32.dll or similar located under C:\Windows\system32\ or your system drive?
Ok problem resolved Thank you
philipp said
hi, the symptoms sound very similar to https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1590430 - did you ever use comdo security products in the past or even if not, could you check if there's a file called IseGuard64.dll, IseGuard32.dll or similar located under C:\Windows\system32\ or your system drive?
Turns out there's iseguard64.dll in my System32 folder. Last modified two years ago, don't know where it came from through as I've not used Comodo products for many years. Can this file be safely deleted?
Modified by alexblake2
yes, please remove it - afterwards firefox will hopefully be back in working order.
Thanks, that seems to have fixed it! I really appreciate the help.
you're very welcome, i'm glad that you have back your firefox :))