This wikiHow teaches you how to restart the computer version of the Firefox browser in Firefox's built-in "Safe Mode". Safe Mode will disable all add-ons when the browser is running. You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode once Firefox is opened. You can also use a computer keyboard shortcut (or a command line program) to force Firefox to open immediately in Safe Mode. Note that you cannot run Firefox in Safe Mode on a tablet or smartphone.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Restarting Firefox in Safe Mode
Step 1. Start Firefox
Click or double-click the Firefox icon, which is a blue globe wrapped around an orange fox.
If Firefox won't open because of a problem that requires you to run it in Safe Mode, skip to the Mac or Windows method
Step 2. Click in the top right corner of the Firefox page
A drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 3. Click Help
This option is at the bottom of the drop-down menu.
Step 4. Click Restart with Add-ons Disabled
This option is in the top area of the " Help " section of the drop-down menu.
Step 5. Click Restart when prompted
This action will close the Firefox browser.
Step 6. Click Start in Safe Mode when prompted
Firefox will reopen in Safe Mode.
Step 7. Check browser performance
If the problem you're having in Firefox goes away when you run it in Safe Mode, it means that one or more add-ons are causing the problem.
Step 8. Turn off add-ons if necessary
Go to the add-ons page by clicking ☰, choose Add-ons, and click the tab Extensions. Next, click Disable or Remove on the right side of the add-on to turn it off or remove it from the Firefox browser.
You can also reset your browser to its default settings by clicking Restart with Add-ons Disabled, clicked Refresh Firefox when prompted, then clicks Refresh Firefox when asked to return. By doing this, all browser settings and add-ons will be removed.
Method 2 of 3: Running Firefox in Safe Mode on Windows Computer
Step 1. Try using a keyboard shortcut
Usually you can use a keyboard shortcut to start Firefox in Safe Mode. Look for the Firefox icon on the desktop, taskbar, or Start menu. If you've found it, do the following:
- Hold down the Shift key.
- Click or double-click the Firefox icon.
- Release the Shift key when Firefox is open.
- Click Start in Safe Mode when requested.
- Fix issues in Firefox as needed.
Step 2. Go to Start
Click the Windows logo in the lower left corner. A pop-up window will be displayed.
Step 3. Run Command Prompt
Type command prompt, then click Command Prompt
at the top of the Start window.
Step 4. Enter the Firefox Safe Mode command
Type "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -safe-mode into Command Prompt.
If you installed Firefox in a different folder than suggested, try typing start firefox -safe-mode
Step 5. Press Enter key
The command you entered will be executed.
Step 6. Click Start in Safe Mode when prompted
Your decision will be confirmed, and Firefox will open in Safe Mode, which you can use to fix plug-in issues as needed.
If you get an error message or you are not prompted to start Firefox in Safe Mode, try typing "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -safe-mode into the Command Prompt, then press Enter
Method 3 of 3: Running Firefox in Safe Mode on Mac Computer
Step 1. Try using a keyboard shortcut
Usually you can use a keyboard shortcut to start Firefox in Safe Mode. Look for the Firefox icon in your Mac's Applications folder, in the Dock, or in Launchpad. Next, do the following things:
- Hold down the Option key.
- Click (or double click) Firefox.
- Release the Option key when Firefox is open.
- Click Start in Safe Mode when requested.
- Fix problems in Firefox as needed.
Step 2. Open Spotlight
Click the magnifying glass icon in the upper-right corner of the screen. This will bring up a text box.
Step 3. Launch Terminal
Type terminal into Spotlight, then double click Terminal
in the list of displayed applications.
Step 4. Enter the Firefox Safe Mode command
Type /Applications/Firefox.app/Contents/MacOS/firefox -safe-mode into Terminal.
Step 5. Press Return
The command you entered will be executed.
Step 6. Click Start in Safe Mode when prompted
Your decision will be confirmed, and Firefox will open in Safe Mode which you can use to fix plug-in issues as needed.
