horrible performance, stalled, locked--periodically over the past year and of course, are SLOW. My laptop is not the newest, but I honestly think it is all the internet security, anti-malware, and ad-blocking software I'm using. While they have all operated "nicely" together up until now, some change and some update has caused a problem I can't identify. So, I deal with it--rather than waste days and weeks trying to identify the problem that would likely only recur-- and wait until the day I buy a new computer to "start over."

Be assured if they goofed they will fix it.
I have always used Opera and keep the cache cleared and programs updated.
The internet is very complex...

just how much I HATE Safari? The bookmarks aren't neat and organized and it doesn't work like Vivaldi. Besides which, I can't get into some of my forums because they tell me my passwords are "incorrect" despite my (exported just now) passwords saying that they are. They also won't let me change them because they say that my e-mail address is incorrect, which I know damn well it isn't. I am furious and pissed off and don't know what to do next. I have asked for help on the Vivaldi forum and so far, crickets. I have looked everywhere on there for how to clean things up and can't find how to do it. I'm about ready to chuck all of this.

even when people have enormous problems with their browsers. Some ideas:

Check your extensions. Some sites spin the wheel with safari. Might be pop up blocking or who knows what.

Cloudflare is the troll that trips up everyone on the bridge to DU. Unpredictable at best. And we have no say in it.

iCloud private relay kills me with archive.ph and nothing else. I have to turn it off for them. Get a captcha that goes nowhere.

Check browser and OS for updates. And malware. Browsers are the door that lets it in.

HTH

BTW, reader mode on safari is the best. It even kills most nag screens and makes a highly readable page. Sometimes, graphics are lost this way.

Good luck. 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

It sounds like you are using a Mac. If I saw those symptoms on a Windows PC, I'd be suspecting that some of the RAM had failed.

If you have all your passwords, bookmarks etc from your browser backed up, why not try a total uninstall of Vivaldi, restart your computer and reinstall your browser so that you start off with a new profile. I know it's extreme; it's possible, lacking any other explanation, that your browser user profile has become corrupted.

Please keep up informed on any outcomes.

but I don't know how to do all the other stuff. I don't know how to back up everything so i can start over and I'm super confused now.

but it still won't do tabs, so I am having to do multiple windows, which is hella confusing, and I haven't got ONE REPLY in the user forum. NOT ONE! Plus the little wheelie thing keeps going, which is annoying, and I've cut off everything I know can safely be cut off. AAAARGH!

What am I missing?

You are missing two of the fastest browsers in history. Usually when things go wrong with them, people are quick to jump in and help, but not so this time. I have no idea what's wrong and am still not getting any help other than the standard "Clear your history, clear your cache" which has already been done.

I've been using Firefox for years now and don't have any trouble with it that I'm aware of.