Reset Firefox preferences to troubleshoot and fix problems

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  • Revision id: 28733
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  • Creator: Michael Verdi
  • Comment: removed line included in the note about what the reset does
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  • Reviewed:
  • Reviewed by: Verdi
  • Is approved? Yes
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  • Readied for localization by: Verdi
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Resetting preferences (zoom, tabs, privacy, network, encryption, download actions, etc.) is one of many procedures that can be helpful in fixing Firefox issues. This has been simplified in the latest version of Firefox. Now you can restore Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information.

Note: When you refresh Firefox, your bookmarks, browsing history, open tabs, windows, passwords, cookies and web form auto-fill information will be saved. However, your extensions and themes will be removed and your preferences will be reset. Learn more.
  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.

When troubleshooting Firefox problems, resetting preferences (zoom, tabs, privacy, network, encryption, download actions, etc.) is one of many procedures that can be helpful in pinpointing the issue. This article explains how to use Safe Mode to reset preferences.

To reset preferences:

Click the menu button Fx89menuButton, click Help, select Troubleshoot Mode… and click Restart in the Restart Firefox in Troubleshoot Mode? dialog.

Note: You can also start Firefox in Troubleshoot Mode by holding down the Shift key while starting Firefox.holding down the option key while starting Firefox.quitting Firefox and then going to your Terminal and running: firefox -safe-mode
You may need to specify the Firefox installation path (for example /usr/lib/firefox).

  1. Click to put a check mark by Reset all user preferences to Firefox defaults.

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  2. To apply your changes, click Make Changes and Restart.

Firefox will restart with your preference settings changed back to the defaults.