Start Firefox in Safe Mode

In the current version of Firefox, the "Safe Mode" menu item has been replaced by "Restart with add-ons disabled." This still achieves the same "Safe Mode" effect. If the bug or issue you're experiencing vanishes when you open Safe Mode, the problem is probably caused by your add-ons.

Steps

Using the Firefox Menu

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox. This method shows two ways to restart Firefox in "Safe Mode," with all of your add-ons disabled.
  2. Click the Menu icon. This icon looks like three horizontal grey bars. It is located on the far right of your screen, on the same bar as your address bar (URL). A small menu should open up when you click it.[1]
    • Alternatively, click Help → Restart with Add-ons disabled in the top menu, and skip down to "continue in safe mode."
  3. Open Help. Click the small, round question mark icon at the bottom of the menu you just opened. This will open the Help menu. A list of options should appear when you click the question mark icon.
  4. Click Restart with Add-ons disabled. Select Restart with Add-ons disabled. Firefox will close and reopen immediately.
    • Take a screenshot or bookmark this page to continue using these instructions after Firefox is closed.
  5. Click Continue in Safe Mode. When Firefox restarts, a pop-up should appear. To enter safe mode, click Continue in safe mode.
  6. Disable add-ons one by one. If Safe Mode fixes your problem, it is probably caused by an add-on. Close Firefox and open it again normally. Use the top menu to access Tools → Add-ons, and disable the add-on you think may be causing problems. Continue to restart Firefox and disable different add-ons until the one causing the bug is isolated.
  7. Reset Firefox completely if nothing else works. If Safe Mode does not fix your problem, you can delete all your saved preferences, bookmarks, password, and add-ons by returning Firefox to its default state. Repeat the steps above to restart Firefox in Safe Mode again. This time, instead of "Continue in Safe Mode," press Reset Firefox.
    • If you see a list of checkboxes instead, you are using Firefox version 14 or below.[2] You can check all of these boxes for a similar effect, but updating to the latest Firefox may be an easier way to fix some bugs.
    • If you only see the "Continue in Safe Mode" option, try switching to the default profile and trying again.[2]
    • Your data will be saved in a new folder called "Old Firefox Data". If you Create-a-Firefox-Profile, you can transfer the harmless data over.[3]

Using Other Methods (Windows)

  1. Hold down Shift and double-click the Firefox icon. If your Firefox crashes as soon as you open it, try this method instead. Firefox should open in Safe Mode.[2]
    • If a "Profile Manager" window opens, select your profile, and hold Shift again while clicking Start Firefox or a similar button.
  2. Open Windows Run box. If you can't find the Firefox icon, try this instead. Open the Windows Start menu, and type in Run. open the program with that name once it appears on your search.
    • You can also open this by pressing the Windows key + R.[4]
  3. Type one of the following commands. The Windows Run box will let you type commands to open Firefox in safe mode. Type one of these commands below exactly as they appear, then hit Enter. Move on to another command if it doesn't work.[2]
    • firefox -safe-mode
    • "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -safe-mode
    • "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -safe-mode
  4. Create a Firefox Safe Mode shortcut. If you use Safe Mode frequently, make life easier by creating a shortcut. Follow these steps to do so:
    • Find "firefox.exe" on your computer.
    • Right-click the file and select "Copy," then right click the blank space on your desktop or a folder and select "Paste."
    • Right-click the new file and select "Properties."
    • In the "Target" field, add a space followed by the words -safe-mode.[5]
    • If the new shortcut does not work, add quotation marks at the beginning and end of the Target field.

Using Other Methods (Mac)

  1. Hold down Option and open Firefox. Hold down the Option key while you click the Firefox icon to open it in Safe Mode.[2]
    • If a "Profile Manager" window opens, select your profile, and hold Option again while clicking OK or a similar button.
  2. Open Terminal. The step above is usually enough, but you can try this method if all else fails. Open Terminal, located in Applications → Utilities → Terminal.
  3. Type in this command. Type /Applications/Firefox.app/Contents/MacOS/firefox-bin -safe-mode and hit enter on your keyboard. If you get an error message, make sure you have typed in the command exactly as it appears.
    • Your cursor and keyboard commands will not work in Terminal. To correct a mistake, use the arrow keys or delete on your keyboard.



Warnings

  • Selecting "Reset Firefox" will return Firefox to the state of a fresh download. Restoring your data can be tedious and difficult if you are not familiar with the process.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-issues-using-safe-mode
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 http://kb.mozillazine.org/Safe_mode
  3. ↑ https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/recovering-important-data-from-an-old-profile#w_copying-files-between-profile-folders
  4. ↑ https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1010575
  5. ↑ http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/210670-firefox-start-firefox-safe-mode.html
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