Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings

Revision Information
  • Revision id: 160226
  • Created:
  • Creator: AliceWyman
  • Comment: What does the refresh feature do? plugins {for not fx53}
  • Reviewed: Yes
  • Reviewed:
  • Reviewed by: AliceWyman
  • Is approved? Yes
  • Is current revision? No
  • Ready for localization: No
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Revision Content

This feature is available on Firefox for desktop or laptop computers.

This feature has been improved in the latest version of Firefox. Update Firefox to the latest release to use the improved version.

If you're having problems with Firefox, refreshing it can help. The refresh feature fixes many issues by restoring Firefox to its default state while saving your essential information like bookmarks, passwords, and open tabs.
Note: Extensions and extension data are removed.

Refresh Firefox

  1. Click the menu button Fx89menuButton, click Help and select More Troubleshooting Information.
  2. Click Refresh Firefox… then Refresh Firefox in the confirmation window that opens. Firefox will close to refresh itself.
  3. When finished, a window will list your imported information. Click the Finish button. Firefox will open.
  4. Select whether you want Firefox to restore all or some windows and tabs and click the Let's go! button.
Note: There's a Refresh Firefox button in the Firefox Troubleshoot Mode window, if you can't start Firefox normally. You can also do a manual refresh by creating a new profile and transferring your important data to the new profile.

What does the refresh feature do?

All of your Firefox settings and personal information are stored in a profile folder. The refresh feature works by creating a new profile folder for you while saving your important data.

Add-ons which are normally stored inside the Firefox profile folder, such as extensions and themes, will be removed. Add-ons stored in other locations, such as plugins, will not be removed but any modified preferences (such as plugins you have disabled) will be reset.

Firefox will save these items:

  • Bookmarks
  • Browsing and download history
  • Passwords
  • Open windows, tab groups and tabs
  • Cookies
  • Web form auto-fill information
  • Personal dictionary

These items and settings will be removed:

Note: Your old Firefox profile will be placed on your desktop in a folder named "Old Firefox Data". If the resetrefresh didn't fix your problem you can restore some of the information not saved by copying files to the new profile that was created. If you don't need this folder any longer, you should delete it as it contains sensitive information.