Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings

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  • Revision id: 16202
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  • Creator: Michael Verdi
  • Comment: Reworded note about malware to include other software
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Have you tried diagnosing Firefox problems without any luck? Does Firefox just make you sad? This article will show you how to fix Firefox and make it run like new.

Just pick one of the three methods below to get started (the first one is the fastest and easiest).

Note: The big problems this article won't fix are ones caused by other software on your computer, including malware. If the solutions in this article don't work, see Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware and Configure firewalls so that Firefox can access the Internet for more help.

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

This is the quick and easy fix. This is also the procedure to use if you can't get Firefox to run at all.

Video goes here

Note: Use Internet Explorer to view and complete these instructions.Note: Use Safari to view and complete these instructions.Note: Use Google Chrome to view and complete these instructions.
  1. Delete the Mozilla Firefox folder on your hard drive. By default, it's located in: C:\Program files.Delete Firefox from your Applications folder.If you installed Firefox with the distro-based package manager, you should use the same method to uninstall it - see Install Firefox on Linux for details. If you downloaded and installed the binary package, simply remove the folder firefox in your home directory to uninstall it.
  2. Download and install Firefox from mozilla.com. Be sure to uncheck Launch Firefox Now in the last step. See How to install Firefox on Windows for details.See How to download and install Firefox on Mac for details.See Install Firefox on Linux for details.
  3. Create a new profile and start Firefox. See Profile Manager - Create, remove or switch Firefox profiles for details.


Fix Firefox and save my bookmarks

This is the easy fix with the added bonus of saving your bookmarks.

Video goes here

Note: Use Internet Explorer to view these instructions.Note: Use Safari to view these instructions.Note: Use Google Chrome to view these instructions.
  1. Export your Firefox bookmarks. See Export Firefox bookmarks to an HTML file to back up or transfer bookmarks for details.
  2. Download Firefox from mozilla.com but don't install it yet.
  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 the Mozilla Firefox folder on your hard drive. By default, it's located in: C:\Program files.Delete Firefox from your Applications folder.If you installed Firefox with the distro-based package manager, you should use the same method to uninstall it - see Install Firefox on Linux for details. If you downloaded and installed the binary package, simply remove the folder firefox in your home directory to uninstall it.
  5. Install Firefox. Be sure to uncheck Launch Firefox Now in the last step. See How to install Firefox on Windows for details.See How to download and install Firefox on Mac for details.See Install Firefox on Linux for details.
  6. Create a new profile and start Firefox. See Profile Manager - Create, remove or switch Firefox profiles for details.
  7. Import your 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.

Video goes here

Note: Use Internet Explorer to view these instructions.Note: Use Safari to view these instructions.Note: Use Google Chrome to view these instructions.
  1. Set up Firefox Sync. See How do I set up Sync on my computer? for details.
  2. Download Firefox from mozilla.com but don't install it yet.
  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 the Mozilla Firefox folder on your hard drive. By default, it's located in: C:\Program files.Delete Firefox from your Applications folder.If you installed Firefox with the distro-based package manager, you should use the same method to uninstall it - see Install Firefox on Linux for details. If you downloaded and installed the binary package, simply remove the folder firefox in your home directory to uninstall it.
  5. Install Firefox. Be sure to uncheck Launch Firefox Now in the last step. See How to install Firefox on Windows for details.See How to download and install Firefox on Mac for details.See Install Firefox on Linux for details.
  6. Create a new profile and start Firefox. See Profile Manager - Create, remove or switch Firefox profiles for details.
  7. Connect your new copy of Firefox to your Sync account. See How to sync Firefox settings between computers for details.