Mozilla Firefox Running Slow — What to Do?

If your Mozilla Firefox browser has started to lag, slow down, or freeze, there could be various reasons behind this. In this guide, we will go through the main causes and show you how to fix them to restore the speed and performance of your browser.

1. Update Firefox to the Latest Version

The first thing to check is whether your browser is up to date. Mozilla frequently releases updates to fix bugs and improve performance. To check for updates, go to “Help” > “About Firefox”. If an update is available, install it and restart the browser.

2. Disable Unnecessary Extensions and Add-ons

Having too many extensions installed can negatively impact the speed of Firefox. To review active add-ons, open the menu and go to “Add-ons and Themes”. Disable any extensions you don’t need and restart Firefox to see if the performance improves.

3. Clear Cache and Browsing History

Over time, cached data and browsing history can accumulate and slow down your browser. To clear the cache, open “Settings” > “Privacy & Security” and choose “Clear Data”. Make sure to check both “Cached Web Content” and “Browsing History”.

4. Enable Hardware Acceleration

Hardware acceleration allows Firefox to use your computer’s graphics card for better performance. To enable it, go to “Settings” > “General” and check the box next to “Use hardware acceleration when available”. Restart Firefox after making this change.

5. Restart Firefox in Safe Mode

Safe Mode in Firefox disables all add-ons and hardware acceleration, helping you identify the cause of the issue. To enter Safe Mode, go to the menu and choose “Help” > “Restart with Add-ons Disabled”. If Firefox runs faster in Safe Mode, then an extension or custom setting is likely causing the slowdown.

6. Check Memory Usage

Firefox can sometimes consume a large amount of RAM, which may lead to performance issues. Open the Task Manager in Firefox by pressing Shift + Esc and review the tabs and add-ons using the most resources. Close any that are causing high memory usage.

7. Reset Firefox to Default Settings

If none of the above steps help, you can reset Firefox to its default settings. This action will remove your extensions, settings, and history but will keep your bookmarks. To do this, open “Help” > “More Troubleshooting Information” and click on “Refresh Firefox”.