Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings

Revision Information
  • Revision id: 194296
  • Created:
  • Creator: Rashid
  • Comment: Edited for clarity
  • 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.

Known add-on issues, May 2019: If add-ons are disabled or fail to install, please see Add-ons disabled or fail to install on Firefox.
If you're having problems with Firefox, refreshing 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.
Important: Since Firefox will revert to its original state, your own configurations and customizations, including extensions, extension data, and about:config preference configurations are removed. If you've made accessibility configurations, you may need to change them back after refreshing.

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?

Firefox stores all your settings and personal information in a profile folder. The refresh feature creates a new profile folder and saves your important data.

The refresh feature removes add-ons stored inside the Firefox profile folder (such as extensions and themes) and retains add-ons stored in other locations (though any modified preferences are reset).

Firefox will save these items:

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

These items and settings will be removed:

Note: The refresh will place your old Firefox profile on your desktop in a folder named “Old Firefox Data”. If your problem persists, you can partially restore lost information by copying files to the newly created profile. If you no longer need this folder, delete it because it contains sensitive information.