Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings

Revision Information
  • Revision id: 16194
  • Created:
  • Creator: Michael Verdi
  • Comment: rearranged steps - easier to do the clean install before creating a new profile
  • Reviewed: No
  • Ready for localization: No
Revision Source
Revision Content

Short intro - tell people they'll need to follow these instructions in another browser. Pick one of the following fixes.

Just fix Firefox — I don't care about saving anything

This is the quick and easy fix.
The video "Fix Firefox" does not exist.

  1. Download Firefox from mozilla.com. Be sure to save the installation file to your computer. Don't run it yet.
  2. 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.
  3. Delete Firefox directory. See Basic Troubleshooting for details.
  4. Install Firefox but don't launch it. See How to install Firefox on Windows, etc. for details.
  5. Create a new profile and start Firefox. See Managing profiles for details.


Fix Firefox and save my bookmarks

This is the easy fix with the added bonus of saving your bookmarks.
The video "Fix Firefox plus boomkarks" does not exist.

  1. Download Firefox
  2. Export bookmarks. See Export Firefox bookmarks to an HTML file to back up or transfer bookmarks for details.
  3. 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.
  4. Delete Firefox directory. See Basic Troubleshooting for details.
  5. Install Firefox but don't launch it. See How to install Firefox on Windows, etc. for details.
  6. Create a new profile and start Firefox. See Managing profiles for details.
  7. Import bookmarks. See Import Bookmarks from an HTML file for details.


Fix Firefox and save my bookmarks, history and passwords

This fix is kinda complicated. This is for long-time Firefox users with lots of info stored in Firefox.
The video "Fix Firefox with Sync" does not exist.

  1. Download Firefox
  2. Set up Sync. See How do I set up Sync on my computer? for details.
  3. 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.
  4. Delete Firefox directory. See Basic Troubleshooting for details.
  5. Install Firefox but don't launch it. See How to install Firefox on Windows, etc. for details.
  6. Create a new profile and start Firefox. See Managing profiles for details.
  7. Connect sync. See How to sync Firefox settings between computers for details.