If Firefox is stuck reloading, showing a blank page, or endlessly “connecting,” it can feel like the web is broken even though your internet is fine. The good news: this is usually fixable with a few targeted resets.
Work top to bottom—stop when the issue disappears.
1. Confirm it’s Firefox (quick comparison test)
Before changing anything, verify whether the problem is Firefox-specific or site/network-wide.
- Open the same site in another browser (Edge, Chrome, Safari).
- Try a different site you trust (for example, a major news site).
- If possible, try the same site on your phone using mobile data.
If other browsers work but Firefox doesn’t, continue below. If everything fails everywhere, jump to the DNS/network steps.
2. Try Troubleshoot Mode (disables extensions and themes)
Add-ons are a top cause of reload loops and blank pages (ad blockers, privacy tools, script blockers, VPN extensions).
- In Firefox, open the menu and search for Troubleshoot Mode.
- Restart into Troubleshoot Mode and test the problem site.
If it works in Troubleshoot Mode, re-enable extensions one at a time to find the culprit. Then remove it or reset its settings.
3. Clear site data for the broken site (cookies + cache for that domain)
Corrupted cookies or a bad cached redirect can trap Firefox in a refresh loop.
- Open Firefox Settings and search for Cookies and Site Data.
- Use Manage Data (or similar) and remove data for the site’s domain.
- Reload the site and sign in again if needed.
If multiple sites are affected, clear cached web content (cache) for all sites, but consider keeping cookies if you don’t want to sign out everywhere.
4. Turn off DNS over HTTPS (DoH) temporarily
DoH is usually helpful, but on some networks (work/school Wi‑Fi, certain ISPs, some security software), it can cause slow loads, loops, or “blank” pages that never finish.
- In Firefox Settings, search for DNS over HTTPS.
- Set it to Off (or “Default protection”/“Use system settings,” depending on your version).
- Restart Firefox and test again.
If that fixes it, leave DoH off on that network or switch DoH provider later.
5. Check proxy/VPN settings (and security software web scanning)
A misconfigured proxy or an unstable VPN can cause repeated reconnects that look like infinite loading.
- Firefox Settings → search Proxy → ensure it’s set to Use system proxy settings (unless you intentionally use a proxy).
- If you use a VPN, disconnect temporarily and re-test.
- If you have antivirus “HTTPS scanning” or “web shield,” try disabling it briefly to test (then re-enable). Some products interfere with page loading.
If disabling security features fixes it, look for an exclusion option for Firefox rather than leaving protection off.
6. Refresh Firefox or create a new profile (last resort, most effective)
If the problem survives Troubleshoot Mode, the profile itself may be damaged (settings database, storage, service worker cache).
- Use Firefox’s Refresh feature (it keeps bookmarks and passwords but resets many customizations).
- Or create a new profile and test there before migrating everything.
After refreshing/creating a new profile, add extensions back slowly. If the issue returns right after adding one, you’ve found the trigger.
Final thoughts
Most Firefox reload/blank-page problems come down to one of four things: an extension, broken site data, DNS/DoH behavior, or a damaged profile.
If you only try one “bigger” step, Troubleshoot Mode plus clearing site data usually reveals the cause fast.