Re-enable add-ons that were disabled when updating Firefox

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  • Revision id: 15218
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  • Creator: Michael Verdi
  • Comment: Lots of updates for Fx 5 https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Add-ons%20are%20disabled%20after%20updating%20Firefox/discuss/1467
  • Reviewed: No
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When Firefox updates it turns off add-ons that are not compatible with the new version. This article explains how to get your add-ons working again.
Incompatible - Win

Check for new versions of your add-ons

Firefox checks once a day for new versions of your add-ons and updates them automatically but you can manually check for new versions at any time.

  1. At the top of the Firefox window, click the Firefox button (Tools menu in Windows XP) and then click Add-ons. The Add-ons Manager tab will open.
  2. Click Add-on Tools Icon and select Check for Updates. If Firefox finds updates, they will be downloaded automatically.Extension Update Win 1
  3. Click the Restart now link to complete the installation.Extension Update Win 2
  1. On the menu bar, click the Tools menu and then click Add-ons. The Add-ons Manager tab will open.
  2. Click Add-on Tools Icon and select Check for Updates. If Firefox finds updates, they will be downloaded automatically.
  3. Click the Restart now link to complete the installation.
  1. At the top of the Firefox window, click the Tools menu and then click Add-ons. The Add-ons Manager tab will open.
  2. Click Add-on Tools Icon - Linux and select Check for Updates. If Firefox finds updates, they will be downloaded automatically.
  3. Click the Restart now link to complete the installation.
  1. At the top of the Firefox window, click on the Tools menu, and select Add-onsOn the menu bar, click on the Tools menu, and select Add-onsAt the top of the Firefox window, click on the Tools menu, and select Add-ons. The Add-ons window will open.
  2. Select the Extensions or Themes panel depending on the kind of add-on.
  3. Then click Find Updates. If Firefox finds an update, you will be prompted to install it and restart Firefox.

Search for updates on the add-on's website

Some add-on makers have different versions of their add-on for different versions of Firefox so updating though the Add-on Manager doesn't work. In this case an update might be available on the add-on's website.

  1. In the Add-ons Manager tab, click on More on the incompatible extension, and then click on the home page link, close to Homepage. You will be taken to the home page for that add-on.
  2. Download the latest version of the add-on from the add-on home page.
  1. In the Add-ons window, right-clickhold down the Ctrl key while you click on the incompatible extension, and select Visit Home Page. You will be taken to the home page for that add-on.

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  2. Download the latest version of the add-on from the home page for that add-on.
Note: If there isn't a version of the add-on available that works, it might help to contact the makers of the add-on while you are on their website.


Force add-ons to work by installing the Add-on Compatibility Reporter

The Add-on Compatibility Reporter add-on will force Firefox to turn on your disabled add-ons. To install it, do the following:

  1. Go to Add-on Compatibility Reporter download page.
  2. Click the Add to Firefox button.
  3. When the Software Installation window comes up, click Install Now to begin the download.
  4. When the download is complete, click Restart Now in the notification window to complete the installation.
Important: To turn on your disabled add-ons, restart Firefox a second time.
  1. Click the Firefox menu Fx89menuButton and select Exit.Click the Firefox menu at the top of the screen and select Quit Firefox.Click the Firefox menu Fx89menuButton and select Quit.
  2. Start Firefox the way you normally do and all of your add-ons should now be active.
While using the Add-on Compatibility Reporter you may find that an incompatible add-on causes Firefox to crash. In that case, see Disable or remove Add-ons for instructions to remove it.

Report whether or not your add-ons work with this version of Firefox

We'll pass this info on to the makers of these add-ons.

  1. Click the menu button Fx89menuButton, click Add-ons and themes and select Extensions.
  2. Click the Compatibility button for each add-on and report whether it works on not.

Report Compatibility - Win

Note: You may notice a warning in the Add-ons Manager tab that Add-on compatibility checking is disabled. Don't click enable while using the Add-on Compatibility Reporter or your add-ons will be turned off again.

Do not enable checking - Win


Search for alternatives

There may be other add-ons with similar features that are compatible with your version of Firefox. For example, if you use the Google Toolbar mainly for access to your Google Bookmarks, then the GBookmarks add-on might be a great replacement. The Add-ons site is a good place to find alternatives.


Install Firefox 3.6

Starting with the release of Firefox 5, the previous version of Firefox (Firefox 4 in this case) will no longer be maintained with security updates. Because of this, it's recommended that if you need an older version of Firefox to run a particular add-on, you should install Firefox 3.6 by downloading and running it's installer from this page.

Warning: Firefox 3.6 will only be maintained with security and stability updates for a short amount of time.