Tor launches and the Firefox Browser quits immediately - Windows 11

SparxFly · February 8, 2025, 8:06pm

Hello,

My system suffered a number of crashes after I closed the lid (putting it to sleep), with a number of applications including TOR browser open. As part of the recovery I did update the BIOS (it’s a Lenovo laptop, so this was automated) and update Windows with required updates (but not the 24H2!) Since that time, the TOR Browser will not open / show on the screen for more than 1-2 seconds, despite it showing as a running process. Subsequent attempts to run it give the standard multiple instances message unless I “End Task”. I have tried downloading and reinstalling it (to the same folder) but still see the same behaviour even with multiple reboots.

The console version runs and when I used the command
firefox.exe --console --MOZ_LOG=ObserverService:5
I got extensive logs, so I am not sure what I should look for or post here, but have included the first part and hope that is enough to start.

Please provide some further suggestions.
Thanks

Operating System: Window 11 Pro - Version 10.0.22631 Build 22631
Tor Browser version: Version 10.0.22631 Build 22631
The Tor log:

[(null) 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::Create()
[(null) 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a1dbe8: xpcom-shutdown, weak)
[(null) 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a1d348: xpcom-shutdown, weak)
[(null) 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::NotifyObservers(prefservice:after-app-defaults)
[(null) 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a1d168: profile-before-change-telemetry, weak)
[(null) 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a1d168: profile-before-change, weak)
[(null) 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a1d168: suspend_process_notification, weak)
[(null) 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e7eea68: xpcom-shutdown-threads, strong)
[(null) 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a1e678: captive-portal-login, weak)
[(null) 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a1e678: captive-portal-login-abort, weak)
[(null) 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a1e678: captive-portal-login-success, weak)
[(null) 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a1e678: xpcom-shutdown, weak)
[(null) 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a7a2f8: xpcom-shutdown, strong)
[(null) 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a7a2f8: network:link-status-changed, strong)
[(null) 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a7a2f8: network:captive-portal-connectivity, strong)
[(null) 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a7a2f8: browser-idle-startup-tasks-finished, strong)
[(null) 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a64688: profile-change-net-teardown, weak)
[(null) 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a64688: profile-change-net-restore, weak)
[(null) 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a64688: profile-do-change, weak)
[(null) 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a64688: xpcom-shutdown, weak)
[(null) 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a64688: network:link-status-changed, weak)
[(null) 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a64688: network:networkid-changed, weak)
[(null) 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a64688: wake_notification, weak)
[(null) 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a64688: profile-initial-state, weak)
[(null) 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a64688: sleep_notification, weak)
[(null) 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a7f540: xpcom-shutdown-threads, strong)
[(null) 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::NotifyObservers(ipc:network:set-offline)
[(null) 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e7b0c28: last-pb-context-exited, strong)
[(null) 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e7b0c28: sleep_notification, weak)
[(null) 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e7b0c28: wake_notification, weak)
[(null) 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e7b0c28: xpcom-shutdown-threads, strong)
[(null) 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e7b0c28: network:link-status-changed, strong)
[(null) 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::NotifyObservers(network:offline-status-changed)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e79d3a0: xpcom-shutdown-threads, strong)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e79d3c0: xpcom-shutdown-threads, strong)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e914700: xpcom-shutdown, strong)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e914700: last-pb-context-exited, strong)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e914700: idle-daily, strong)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e914700: browser-idle-startup-tasks-finished, strong)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e914700: gfx-features-ready, strong)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e914700: user-characteristics-testing-please-populate-data, strong)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e91f8e0: user-interaction-inactive, strong)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e91f8e0: user-interaction-active, strong)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e933288: xpcom-shutdown, strong)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e933288: content-document-interactive, strong)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a3fae0: last-pb-context-exited, weak)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e934018: xpcom-shutdown, weak)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a5bc90: sessionstore-windows-restored, weak)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a5bc90: cookie-changed, weak)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a5bc90: perm-changed, weak)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a5bc90: last-pb-context-exited, weak)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a5bc90: clear-origin-attributes-data, weak)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a5bc90: dom-storage:clear-origin-attributes-data, weak)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a5bc90: extension:purge-localStorage, weak)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a5bc90: browser:purge-sessionStorage, weak)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a5bc90: profile-after-change, weak)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a5bc90: profile-before-change, weak)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e79d8e0: xpcom-shutdown, strong)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e79d8e0: cycle-collector-begin, strong)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e79d8e0: cycle-collector-forget-skippable, strong)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a1e3b0: xpcom-shutdown, strong)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a94408: xpcom-shutdown, weak)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e93c120: xpcom-shutdown-threads, strong)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a67288: after-minimize-memory-usage, weak)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a67288: cycle-collector-begin, weak)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a67288: cycle-collector-end, weak)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e914460: ipc:content-shutdown, weak)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e79d8d0: intl:app-locales-changed, strong)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e94a6d0: prefservice:after-app-defaults, weak)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e94a6d0: profile-do-change, weak)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e94a6d0: profile-before-change, weak)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e94a6d0: xpcom-shutdown, weak)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e94a6d0: last-pb-context-exited, weak)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e94a6d0: memory-pressure, weak)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e94a6d0: browser-delayed-startup-finished, weak)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e94a6d0: idle-daily, weak)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a1c9c0: profile-after-change, strong)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e933b80: xpcom-shutdown, strong)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e914b80: profile-after-change, strong)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e79dba0: http-on-examine-response, strong)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e79dba0: xpcom-shutdown, strong)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e96e8d0: http-on-examine-response, strong)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e96e8d0: xpcom-shutdown, strong)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e96e8d0: clear-origin-attributes-data, strong)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e96e8d0: reporting:purge-host, strong)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f5e96e8d0: reporting:purge-all, strong)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a7f7a8: memory-pressure, strong)
[Parent 25012: Main Thread]: D/ObserverService nsObserverService::AddObserver(20f59a7f7a8: xpcom-shutdown-threads, strong)

thorin · February 10, 2025, 6:45am

Make sure all process from the old folder are ended. Go grab a new copy and install it to a different folder. What happens?

SparxFly · February 14, 2025, 4:28pm

Well, this is embarrassing… Apparently I managed to inadvertently spawn a second Desktop and TOR was launching in that second desktop without my being aware of it, and running just fine. I only figured it out when I had the same issue with Chrome and noticed that not all my running apps were displayed. Mucking about with swipes I quickly realized what had happened.

Thanks to those who read my post and put any amount of thought into it. And thanks to the developers and hosts who make secure anonymous browsing possible.

Sparx

system · February 15, 2025, 4:28pm

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