Firefox Tabs Disappear When Clicking
Tabs that disappear are usually caused by a malfunctioning browser or interference from third-party software. Each tab represents an opened page, which is stored in Random Access Memory. Too many opened pages and they could shut down from low RAM. A quick restart of Firefox or the operating system will correct this; anything else requires troubleshooting to isolate the problem.
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Click Carefully
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The "X" used to close a tab do not appear until after you've selected it. It sits in the upper right corner and can be clicked sometimes by accident. Unless the browser is set up to warn you, clicking the "X" closes tab immediately. Under "Tools," "Options," "Tabs," place a check by "Warn Me When Closing Multiple Tabs" and "Always Show the Tab Bar."
Check Add-Ons
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Unexpected behavior while browsing can be caused by bad add-ons. Add-ons are extensions intended to add functionality, sometimes in the form of toolbars or special tweaks. As newer versions of Firefox are released, compatibility with older add-ons is compromised. Some will no longer work as expected, causing all sorts of odd behaviors, including disappearing windows. Click "Tools," "Add-ons" and "Plugins." Click the link at the top and Firefox checks the plugins to see if they are up to date.
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Run Antivirus
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Malware is another type of software that can interfere with your browser, in this case with malicious intent. Viruses and spyware are often introduced when your system lacks recommended updates. This includes those provided through Windows Update and your antivirus program. Your computer is always at risk for viruses if you use the Internet, even if you keep the virus definitions updated. Scan the hard drive for viruses, using a free program from the Internet, if needed.
Reset Settings
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If all else fails, run Firefox in Safe Mode and reset your preferences. This runs the browser in a semi-disabled state and restores it to its original condition; no extensions, downloads or browsing history to interfere. In addition, consider installing the latest version of Firefox, in case the problem is related to outdated software. Click "Help," "About Firefox" to see which version you have, and click "Check for Updates" to get the newest version.
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References
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