Reset Firefox preferences to troubleshoot and fix problems
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Resetting preferences (zoom, tabs, privacy, network, encryption, updates, where to save file downloads, etc.) is one of many procedures that can be helpful in troubleshooting Firefox problems. We'll explain two ways to do this.
- If changes to preference settings are not saved when you restart Firefox, see How to fix preferences that won't save.
Table of Contents
Solution 1: Reset Firefox to its default state
Note: When using the refresh feature, your bookmarks, browsing history, open tabs, windows, passwords, cookies and web form auto-fill information will be saved. However, your extensions and themes will be removed and your preferences will be reset.When using the reset feature, your bookmarks, browsing history, open tabs, windows, passwords, cookies and web form auto-fill information will be saved. However, your extensions and themes will be removed and your preferences will be reset.When using the reset feature, your bookmarks, browsing history, passwords, cookies and web form auto-fill information will be saved. However, your extensions and themes will be removed; open tabs, windows and tab groups will not be saved; and your preferences will be reset. Learn more.
- At the top of the Firefox window, click the menu and select .At the top of the Firefox window, click the button, go over to the sub-menu and select .On the menu bar, click the menu and select .
-
- If you're unable to access the menu, type about:support in your address bar to bring up the Troubleshooting Information page.
-
- Click the button in the upper-right corner of the Troubleshooting Information page.
-
- To continue, click in the confirmation window that opens.To continue, click in the confirmation sheet that slides down.
- Firefox will close and be reset. When it's done, a window will list the information that was imported. Click and Firefox will open.Firefox will close and be reset. When it's done, a window will list the information that was imported. Click and Firefox will open.
- Click the menu button
and then click help
.
- From the menu choose .
- If you're unable to access the menu, type about:support in your address bar to bring up the Troubleshooting Information page.
- Click the button in the upper-right corner of the Troubleshooting Information page.
-
- To continue, click in the confirmation window that opens.
- Firefox will close and be reset. When it's done, a window will list the information that was imported. Click and Firefox will open.
- Click this Refresh Firefox button directly, if you are viewing this page in Firefox (it won't work if you are using a different browser). You will also find a Refresh button on the top right corner of the Firefox about:support Troubleshooting Information page.
- To continue, click in the confirmation window that opens.
- Firefox will close to refresh itself. When finished, a window will list your imported information. Click and Firefox will open.
Note: There's also a Refresh Firefox Reset Firefox button in the Firefox Safe Mode window, if you can't start Firefox normally.
Solution 1: Refresh Firefox
Note: When using the refresh feature, your bookmarks, browsing history, open tabs, windows, passwords, cookies and web form auto-fill information will be saved. However, your extensions and themes will be removed and your preferences will be reset.When using the reset feature, your bookmarks, browsing history, open tabs, windows, passwords, cookies and web form auto-fill information will be saved. However, your extensions and themes will be removed and your preferences will be reset.When using the reset feature, your bookmarks, browsing history, passwords, cookies and web form auto-fill information will be saved. However, your extensions and themes will be removed; open tabs, windows and tab groups will not be saved; and your preferences will be reset. Learn more.
- At the top of the Firefox window, click the menu and select .At the top of the Firefox window, click the button, go over to the sub-menu and select .On the menu bar, click the menu and select .
-
- If you're unable to access the menu, type about:support in your address bar to bring up the Troubleshooting Information page.
-
- Click the button in the upper-right corner of the Troubleshooting Information page.
-
- To continue, click in the confirmation window that opens.To continue, click in the confirmation sheet that slides down.
- Firefox will close and be reset. When it's done, a window will list the information that was imported. Click and Firefox will open.Firefox will close and be reset. When it's done, a window will list the information that was imported. Click and Firefox will open.
- Click the menu button
and then click help
.
- From the menu choose .
- If you're unable to access the menu, type about:support in your address bar to bring up the Troubleshooting Information page.
- Click the button in the upper-right corner of the Troubleshooting Information page.
-
- To continue, click in the confirmation window that opens.
- Firefox will close and be reset. When it's done, a window will list the information that was imported. Click and Firefox will open.
- Click this Refresh Firefox button directly, if you are viewing this page in Firefox (it won't work if you are using a different browser). You will also find a Refresh button on the top right corner of the Firefox about:support Troubleshooting Information page.
- To continue, click in the confirmation window that opens.
- Firefox will close to refresh itself. When finished, a window will list your imported information. Click and Firefox will open.
Note: There's also a Refresh Firefox Reset Firefox button in the Firefox Safe Mode window, if you can't start Firefox normally.
Solution 2: Delete Firefox preference files
At the top of the Firefox window, click the button, go over to the menuOn the menu bar, click the menuAt the top of the Firefox window, click the menu and select . Firefox will start up with the Firefox Safe Mode dialog.
Note: You can also start Firefox in Safe Mode by holding down the shift key while starting Firefox.holding down the option key while starting Firefox.quitting Firefox and then going to your Terminal and running:
You may need to specify the Firefox installation path (e.g. /usr/lib/firefox)
firefox -safe-modeYou may need to specify the Firefox installation path (e.g. /usr/lib/firefox)
Click the menu button
, click help
and select . Firefox will start up with the Firefox Safe Mode dialog.
, click help
and select . Firefox will start up with the Firefox Safe Mode dialog. Note: You can also start Firefox in Safe Mode by holding down the shift key while starting Firefox.holding down the option key while starting Firefox.quitting Firefox and then going to your Terminal and running:
You may need to specify the Firefox installation path (e.g. /usr/lib/firefox)
firefox -safe-modeYou may need to specify the Firefox installation path (e.g. /usr/lib/firefox)
- Click to put a check mark by Reset all user preferences to Firefox defaults.
- To apply your changes, click .
Firefox will restart with your preference settings changed back to the defaults.
At the top of the Firefox window, click on the button, go over to the menuOn the menu bar, click on the menuAt the top of the Firefox window, click on the menu and select . The Troubleshooting Information tab will open.Click the menu button
, click help
and select . The Troubleshooting Information tab will open.
- Under the Application Basics section, click on . A window with your profile filesfolder will open.
At the top of the Firefox window, click on the button and then select At the top of the Firefox window, click on the menu and then select On the menu bar, click on the menu and select At the top of the Firefox window, click on the menu and select
Click the menu button
and then click ExitQuit
- Locate and delete the file prefs.js (or rename it, for example, to prefs.jsOLD, to keep the old file as a backup). If you find more than one, a prefs.js.moztmp file or a user.js file, delete (or rename) these as well.
- You can close the profile folder and open Firefox now.
Note: If you are unable to open or use Firefox, follow the instructions in Finding your profile without opening Firefox.
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