Comments on: How to fix “Firefox is already running” error http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/how-to-fix-firefox-is-already-running-error/ neat fun stuff Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:30:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Bohdan Vovkhttp://www.mattcutts.com/blog/how-to-fix-firefox-is-already-running-error/#comment-888550 Bohdan Vovk Sat, 27 Aug 2011 19:03:32 +0000 http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/how-to-fix-firefox-is-already-running-error/#comment-888550 This is a bug of Firefox, but I think it is must not be the reason of not using it. On the whole, I think that Firefox is one of the best web browsers. This is a bug of Firefox, but I think it is must not be the reason of not using it. On the whole, I think that Firefox is one of the best web browsers.

]]> By: Brianhttp://www.mattcutts.com/blog/how-to-fix-firefox-is-already-running-error/#comment-849494 Brian Sat, 23 Jul 2011 14:05:01 +0000 http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/how-to-fix-firefox-is-already-running-error/#comment-849494 Today I've joined the club getting the message (in a small pop-up box) that firefox is already running. But it doesn't appear on Task Manager. Rebooting doesn't change it. I've tried the above suggested batch files and profile fiddling without success. Removing and reinstalling firefox looked promising, but once the browser was closed any attempt to re-open got that message again. So I can't close firefox and I can't open it. But I want my bookmarks, which as far I understand are in a '.json' file. Being unable to open the firefox browser I can't export them to another browser - yes, I agree, it's a shame to think of using another browser when firefox has been my favourite for so long. Does anyone know if and how the .json file can be converted and/or the data extracted to enable the bookmarks to become 'favourites' or whatever a new browser demands? Today I’ve joined the club getting the message (in a small pop-up box) that firefox is already running. But it doesn’t appear on Task Manager. Rebooting doesn’t change it. I’ve tried the above suggested batch files and profile fiddling without success. Removing and reinstalling firefox looked promising, but once the browser was closed any attempt to re-open got that message again.
So I can’t close firefox and I can’t open it. But I want my bookmarks, which as far I understand are in a ‘.json’ file. Being unable to open the firefox browser I can’t export them to another browser – yes, I agree, it’s a shame to think of using another browser when firefox has been my favourite for so long.
Does anyone know if and how the .json file can be converted and/or the data extracted to enable the bookmarks to become ‘favourites’ or whatever a new browser demands?

]]> By: Sir Geekhttp://www.mattcutts.com/blog/how-to-fix-firefox-is-already-running-error/#comment-786314 Sir Geek Tue, 03 May 2011 15:56:25 +0000 http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/how-to-fix-firefox-is-already-running-error/#comment-786314 I'm having this issue using Selenium Remote Control and 13 firefox instances (The app I'm testing uses certifcates to handle user permissions/roles instead of usernames and passwords 13 Roles = 13 Firefox instances).I have no firefox processes showing up in my task manager and start the remote control (which starts firing off the 13 instances of firefox). Randomly, and not even 100% of the time, I get one of the profiles giving me the error - "Firefox is already running, but is not responding. To open a new window, you must first close the existing Firefox process, or restart your system." when I know with 100% certainty that the profile in question isn't being used.I'm wondering if there is some block of memory that isn't being cleared on startup and periodically the block gets used by firefox and it "thinks" the profile is in use.Any one have ideas ? I’m having this issue using Selenium Remote Control and 13 firefox instances (The app I’m testing uses certifcates to handle user permissions/roles instead of usernames and passwords 13 Roles = 13 Firefox instances).

I have no firefox processes showing up in my task manager and start the remote control (which starts firing off the 13 instances of firefox). Randomly, and not even 100% of the time, I get one of the profiles giving me the error – “Firefox is already running, but is not responding. To open a new window, you must first close the existing Firefox process, or restart your system.” when I know with 100% certainty that the profile in question isn’t being used.

I’m wondering if there is some block of memory that isn’t being cleared on startup and periodically the block gets used by firefox and it “thinks” the profile is in use.

Any one have ideas ?

]]> By: Tanmayhttp://www.mattcutts.com/blog/how-to-fix-firefox-is-already-running-error/#comment-746127 Tanmay Mon, 21 Mar 2011 22:11:52 +0000 http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/how-to-fix-firefox-is-already-running-error/#comment-746127 If you are facing the issue of running firefox in your linux machine please try running below command in your linux machine. It will work out.rm ~/.mozilla/firefox/*/.parentlock If you are facing the issue of running firefox in your linux machine please try running below command in your linux machine. It will work out.

rm ~/.mozilla/firefox/*/.parentlock

]]> By: Ianhttp://www.mattcutts.com/blog/how-to-fix-firefox-is-already-running-error/#comment-731265 Ian Sun, 06 Mar 2011 06:58:02 +0000 http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/how-to-fix-firefox-is-already-running-error/#comment-731265 The Winamp plugin does seem to have been the culprit, as Nikola pointed out. So far so good, hope its a permanent fix The Winamp plugin does seem to have been the culprit, as Nikola pointed out. So far so good, hope its a permanent fix

]]> By: Taghttp://www.mattcutts.com/blog/how-to-fix-firefox-is-already-running-error/#comment-718220 Tag Fri, 11 Feb 2011 20:28:39 +0000 http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/how-to-fix-firefox-is-already-running-error/#comment-718220 Thanks for the how-to! This problem can also arise when you are tunneling Firefox through an ssh connection, and the connection is interrupted. Thanks for the how-to! This problem can also arise when you are tunneling Firefox through an ssh connection, and the connection is interrupted.

]]> By: Danielhttp://www.mattcutts.com/blog/how-to-fix-firefox-is-already-running-error/#comment-706756 Daniel Tue, 25 Jan 2011 19:49:26 +0000 http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/how-to-fix-firefox-is-already-running-error/#comment-706756 yes, I still had this problem too, and I just add on the BEGINNING of the command line of Firefox rm /home/daniel/.mozilla/firefox/wqu081dr.default/.parentlockSo I'm sure it is erased by default, and my firefox just..fire :)The way I did it: right click on the icone of Firefox and change the execute line of firefox this way rm /home/daniel/.mozilla/firefox/wqu081dr.default/.parentlock & x-www-browser %UHave fun! yes, I still had this problem too, and I just add on the BEGINNING of the command line of Firefox
rm /home/daniel/.mozilla/firefox/wqu081dr.default/.parentlock

So I’m sure it is erased by default, and my firefox just..fire :)

The way I did it: right click on the icone of Firefox and change the execute line of firefox this way
rm /home/daniel/.mozilla/firefox/wqu081dr.default/.parentlock & x-www-browser %U

Have fun!

]]> By: Jameshttp://www.mattcutts.com/blog/how-to-fix-firefox-is-already-running-error/#comment-689672 James Sun, 26 Dec 2010 22:52:50 +0000 http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/how-to-fix-firefox-is-already-running-error/#comment-689672 Wow, as I research this I see that people have been talking about it for YEARS, across multiple major revisions of Firefox, on multiple operating systems. What gives? I have this issue with Firefox 3.6 on Win7. Have tried changing permissions on profile files, I *am* running as admin, so it should be able to do it anyway, the fixes don't work (permanently anyway). Yes, I can always use the task manager to fix the problem, but it's really, really annoying to do this several times per day. Are they never going to fix this? Wow, as I research this I see that people have been talking about it for YEARS, across multiple major revisions of Firefox, on multiple operating systems. What gives? I have this issue with Firefox 3.6 on Win7. Have tried changing permissions on profile files, I *am* running as admin, so it should be able to do it anyway, the fixes don’t work (permanently anyway). Yes, I can always use the task manager to fix the problem, but it’s really, really annoying to do this several times per day. Are they never going to fix this?

]]> By: Nikolahttp://www.mattcutts.com/blog/how-to-fix-firefox-is-already-running-error/#comment-683233 Nikola Wed, 15 Dec 2010 00:42:29 +0000 http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/how-to-fix-firefox-is-already-running-error/#comment-683233 I had a problem with Firefox, and was looking on lots of web pages for a solution but couldn't find it, temporary solution is of course ctr+alt+delete and then kill the process. But it gets annoying when you have to do it every single time you wanna shut it. Today I found it! Its winamp add-on, just uninstall it, restart Firefox and problem solved for good!If you have winamp add-on, it will keep bugging you with message:"Firefox is already running, but is not responding. To open a new window, you must first close the existing Firefox process, or restart your system." I had a problem with Firefox, and was looking on lots of web pages for a solution but couldn’t find it, temporary solution is of course ctr+alt+delete and then kill the process. But it gets annoying when you have to do it every single time you wanna shut it.
Today I found it!
Its winamp add-on, just uninstall it, restart Firefox and problem solved for good!

If you have winamp add-on, it will keep bugging you with message:”Firefox is already running, but is not responding. To open a new window, you must first close the existing Firefox process, or restart your system.”

]]> By: Purushottam Samaraihttp://www.mattcutts.com/blog/how-to-fix-firefox-is-already-running-error/#comment-670966 Purushottam Samarai Sat, 27 Nov 2010 07:32:44 +0000 http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/how-to-fix-firefox-is-already-running-error/#comment-670966 Nevyn February 11, 2008 at 4:14 am Hi Judy,If you’re using windows, you can try this program: http://www.topdrawerdownloads.com/download/104402Otherwise, if you’re using Linux, at a command prompt, type in: lsof ~/.mozilla/firefox/[Profile name]/.parentlock If nothing shows up there, you’ve got a much bigger problem. You’re going to have to umount the file system or mount it read only mode and run fsck (file system check) on it. _________________________________________________________________________hey Nevin, I was frustrated with firefox behaving like this. But your suggestion of using UNLOCKER worked...'Many Many Thanks from the bottom of my Heart.. Nevyn February 11, 2008 at 4:14 am
Hi Judy,

If you’re using windows, you can try this program:
http://www.topdrawerdownloads.com/download/104402

Otherwise, if you’re using Linux, at a command prompt, type in:
lsof ~/.mozilla/firefox/[Profile name]/.parentlock
If nothing shows up there, you’ve got a much bigger problem. You’re going to have to umount the file system or mount it read only mode and run fsck (file system check) on it.
_________________________________________________________________________

hey Nevin, I was frustrated with firefox behaving like this. But your suggestion of using UNLOCKER worked…’

Many Many Thanks from the bottom of my Heart..

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