Firefox keeps spinning, shows a blank page, or refuses to connect. Start with a quick check to find out whether the problem is the website, the browser, or your connection, then tackle the matching fixes below. These steps cover Windows, Mac, and Linux, with Android and iPhone fixes in the answers afterward.
Find out what is failing first
Open another website in a new tab. If it loads, Firefox is not failing on every website.
Test the failing address in another browser. If that website fails across browsers while other sites work, retry later or contact its owner.
If every browser fails to load websites, jump to the connection fixes below. If other browsers work, continue with the Firefox fixes.
Check for accidental offline mode through File > Work offline, and clear it if selected. On Windows, press and release Alt first to reveal the menu bar.
Give the page and browser a fresh start
Reloading, restarting, and updating address page-loading problems before you change Firefox's settings.
Reload with Ctrl+R or F5 on Windows and Linux, or Command+R on Mac. If the page stays stuck, bypass cached content with Ctrl+Shift+R or Ctrl+F5 on Windows and Linux, or Command+Shift+R on Mac.
Quit Firefox completely, then reopen Firefox and try the address again. If it still fails, restart your computer and launch Firefox again.
Check for updates through Menu > Help > About Firefox on Windows or Linux, or Firefox > About Firefox on Mac. For Microsoft Store installations and Linux distribution packages, use the respective software manager instead. Select Restart to update Firefox after the browser's update downloads.
Clear the data behind a stuck page
Start with that website's stored data, then clear the browser cache if the page still fails.
- 1.Open the troublesome website and select the address-bar shield, or the padlock in the earlier interface.
- 2.Choose Clear cookies and site data, then confirm with Clear or Remove, as displayed. Clearing cookies can sign you out of the website.
- 3.Reload the page and test it again.
- 4.If it still fails, open Menu > History > Clear recent history… and set When: to Everything.
- 5.Select Temporary cached files and pages. For cookie errors or redirect loops, also select Cookies and site data. Deselect data you want to keep. Clearing cookies across websites can sign you out of them.
- 6.Click Clear, then retry the website.
Check whether protection blocks the page
Enhanced Tracking Protection blocks content, including scripts used by sign-in forms, payments, and embedded features. Test it on the affected website first.
Click the website's address-bar shield. Turn off Enhanced Tracking Protection for that website. Firefox reloads the page and creates a site exception. Then try the part that failed, such as the sign-in form or embedded content.
If the change does not help, turn Enhanced Tracking Protection back on. Next, test the website in Troubleshoot Mode… using the steps below.
Rule out a blocking extension
Ad blockers, script blockers, and privacy extensions are the first extensions to check when a website's required content is blocked.
Open Menu > Help > Troubleshoot Mode… and choose Restart. Select Open. Troubleshoot Mode temporarily disables extensions, themes, and hardware acceleration, but leaves modified preferences in place.
Test the website. If it works now, check those disabled components individually; this test alone does not identify which one is responsible. Restart Firefox normally to leave Troubleshoot Mode.
Enter about:addons in the address bar and select Extensions. Turn off one extension, starting with an ad blocker, script blocker, privacy tool, or proxy extension. Retest the website after each individual change. Repeat until you identify the extension responsible or finish checking your extensions.
Remove the culprit through its three-dot menu > Remove. If extensions are not responsible and pages remain blank or incorrectly drawn, open Settings > Tabs and browsing > Performance. In the earlier layout, use Settings > General > Performance.
Clear Use recommended performance settings, then clear Use hardware acceleration when available. Restart Firefox and test the page again.
Match connection fixes to the symptom
If every browser fails, start with the network. If Firefox alone fails, focus on its proxy, secure DNS, and security-software permissions.
On a hotel, airport, or other network requiring sign-in, reconnect to the network. Open a website to trigger the login or acceptance screen. Complete the network sign-in.
If a VPN or proxy prevents that screen from opening, temporarily disconnect it. Complete the sign-in with the VPN or proxy disconnected. Restore the VPN or proxy afterward.
For a home connection that fails across browsers, disconnect your router's power. Wait 30 seconds, then reconnect the power. This restarts the router without performing a factory reset. Test again after connectivity returns.
If Firefox alone fails, open Settings > Privacy and security > Connection and software security > Advanced settings > Proxy settings > Configure proxy. In the earlier layout, use Settings > General > Network Settings > Settings….
Select No proxy if your connection does not require one. For a required proxy, enter the configuration supplied by your network administrator; Use system proxy settings delegates the configuration to your operating system.
For a secure-DNS lookup error, open Settings > Privacy and security > DNS over HTTPS > Advanced settings, where shown. Earlier layouts expose protection levels directly under DNS over HTTPS.
Select Default protection to allow fallback. If the lookup still fails, temporarily select Off to test the system's DNS resolver.
If connectivity stopped immediately after a Firefox update, update your security software. Remove Firefox from that software's trusted or allowed applications list. The exact controls depend on the security product. Add the currently installed Firefox executable back to the list.
For a certificate warning, select Advanced or Advanced…, then record the error code. For warnings across several HTTPS websites, ask your security-software provider or network administrator to check for interception and repair certificate trust. For a warning confined to one website, ask its owner to check the certificate chain.
On a work or school device, ask the administrator to resolve required proxy settings, website filtering, or certificate trust problems.
If these fixes fail across all browsers, test another network. Contact your ISP if the original connection is at fault; on Windows 11, another option is Get Help, where you can run the Network and Internet troubleshooter. If only Firefox still fails, try the refresh below.
Refresh Firefox as a last browser reset
A refresh keeps bookmarks and passwords but removes the extensions, themes, and customized settings stored in your Firefox profile; add-ons installed outside the profile are not removed, although their modified preferences are reset; the new profile-management system requires Firefox 150 or later for this option.
- 1.Enter about:support in Firefox's address bar.
- 2.Select Refresh Firefox….
- 3.Confirm with Refresh Firefox.
- 4.After the process completes, select Finish and restore the session you want.
- 5.Test the failing website before adding extensions or changing settings again.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I fix Firefox pages that will not load on Android?
For one website, tap its address-bar shield, choose Clear cookies and site data, confirm with Clear, and reload. For a broader cache reset, open three-dot menu > Settings > Delete browsing data, select Cached images and files, and tap Delete browsing data. If other browsers also fail, restart the device. Then use your device's Settings > Network & internet or Settings > Connections to test switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data.
What should I try when Firefox will not load pages on my iPhone or iPad?
Tap the reload control. If that fails, close the tab and open the address in a new tab. To clear the website's stored data, open Menu > Settings > Data Management > Website Data, select the website, and tap Clear Items. Deleting cookies signs you out of the affected site.
Why does Firefox say a website will not allow it to display the page?
This error appears when a website forbids its content from being embedded in another page. On desktop, right-click the provided link and choose Open Link in New Tab. Alternatively, paste the original address into a new tab or ask the website owner for a direct link.
What if Refresh Firefox is missing?
Test a fresh profile instead. Enter about:profiles in the address bar, select Create a New Profile, and click Next. Name the profile, retain the default folder, and choose Finish or Done. Select Launch profile in new browser and test the website before importing customizations.