How to Start Firefox in Safe Mode

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

This wikiHow teaches you how to restart your computer's Firefox browser into the Firefox's built-in "Safe Mode", which is a setting that disables all of your add-ons upon starting the browser. You can restart Firefox into Safe Mode if Firefox is already open, or you can use your computer's keyboard shortcut (or command line program) to force Firefox to open directly into Safe Mode. Keep in mind that you cannot start Firefox in Safe Mode on a smartphone or tablet.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Restarting Firefox into Safe Mode

PDF download Download Article
  1. Click or double-click the Firefox app icon, which resembles an orange fox wrapped around a blue globe.
    • If you can't open Firefox due to issues for which you want to start Firefox in Safe Mode, skip ahead to the Windows or Mac method.
  2. It's in the top-right corner of the Firefox page. Doing so prompts a drop-down menu to appear.
    Advertisement
  3. You'll find this option at the bottom of the drop-down menu.
  4. It's at the top of the "Help" section of the drop-down menu.
  5. Doing so will close Firefox.
  6. This will prompt Firefox to re-open in Safe Mode.
  7. If Firefox's issues disappear while in Safe Mode, one or more of the add-ons you've installed is causing the issues.
  8. Go to the add-ons page by clicking ☰ , clicking Add-ons , and clicking the Extensions tab, then click Disable or Remove to the right of an add-on to either turn it off or delete it from Firefox.
    • You can also reset your entire browser to its default settings by clicking Restart with Add-ons Disabled , clicking Refresh Firefox when prompted, and clicking Refresh Firefox when asked again. This will remove all of your browser's settings and add-ons.
    9. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Starting Firefox in Safe Mode on Windows

PDF download Download Article
  1. In most cases, you can use a keyboard shortcut to open Firefox in Safe Mode. Find the Firefox icon on your desktop, in your taskbar, or in the Start menu; once you've found it, do the following:
    • Hold down ⇧ Shift .
    • Click or double-click the Firefox app icon.
    • Release ⇧ Shift when Firefox opens.
    • Click Start in Safe Mode when prompted.
    • Troubleshoot Firefox as needed.
  2. Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen. A pop-up window will appear.
  3. Type in command prompt , then click
    Windows cmd
    Command Prompt at the top of the Start window.
  4. Type in "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -safe-mode into Command Prompt.
    • If you installed Firefox in a different folder than the one that was recommended, you can try typing in start firefox -safe-mode instead.
  5. Doing so will run the command.
  6. This will confirm your decision and open Firefox in Safe Mode, at which point you can proceed with troubleshooting your add-ons as necessary.
    • If you receive an error or you're not prompted to start Firefox in Safe Mode, try typing "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -safe-mode into Command Prompt and pressing ↵ Enter .
    7. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Starting Firefox in Safe Mode on Mac

PDF download Download Article
  1. In most cases, you can use a keyboard shortcut to open Firefox in Safe Mode. Find the Firefox icon in your Mac's Applications folder, in the Dock, or in Launchpad, then do the following:
    • Hold down the ⌥ Option key.
    • Click (or double-click) Firefox.
    • Release the ⌥ Option key when Firefox opens.
    • Click Start in Safe Mode when prompted.
    • Troubleshoot Firefox as needed.
  2. Click the magnifying glass-shaped icon in the top-right corner of the screen. A text box will appear.
  3. Type in terminal in Spotlight, then double-click
    Mac Terminal
    Terminal in the resulting list of apps.
  4. Type /Applications/Firefox.app/Contents/MacOS/firefox -safe-mode into Terminal.
  5. Doing so runs your command.
  6. This will confirm your decision and open Firefox in Safe Mode, at which point you can proceed with troubleshooting your add-ons as necessary.
    7. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I start Firefox in safe mode without disabling the add-ons?
    Community Answer
    You can't. Part of the definition of "safe mode" is that it starts with add-ons disabled. That's because certain add-ons, or combination of add-ons, can cause Firefox to drastically slow down or crash immediately. If you were able to bypass or tweak this mode, it would no longer be "safe." Safe mode should really only be used to remove the add-on or settings that caused the crash in the first place.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 5
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      Warnings

      • Resetting Firefox will result in all of your Firefox settings, add-ons, and data being removed.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Get Mozilla Firefox Out of Safe Mode
      How to
      Start Windows in Safe Mode: 6 Easy Options
      How to
      Boot a Mac or MacBook Into Safe Mode
      How to
      Download All Images on a Web Page at Once
      How to
      Transfer Bookmarks from One Computer to Another
      6 Simple Ways to Block Websites on Mozilla Firefox
      How to
      Reset Firefox to Fix Crashes, Bugs, and More: 3 Methods
      4 Easy Ways to Download and Install Mozilla Firefox
      Disable “No Right Click” Scripts on Any Website in Firefox
      How to
      Use Tor with Firefox on Windows: BlackBelt Setup Guide
      How to
      Block and Unblock Internet Sites with Firefox
      How to
      Enable Java in Firefox
      How to
      Downgrade Firefox
      How to
      Change the Default Font in Firefox
      Advertisement

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open Firefox.
      2. Click ☰ .
      3. Click Help .
      4. Click Restart with Add-ons Disabled .
      5. Click Restart , then click Start in Safe Mode .

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 466,294 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement