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Firefox includes a Software Update feature that automatically checks for updates and prompts you to install them when necessary. For more information about the Software Update feature, see [[Updating Firefox]]. Sometimes, the updater fails and displays the following error message: {for fx3} <!-- See http://support.mozilla.com/tiki-view_forum_thread.php?comments_parentId=307862&forumId=3 --> {note}'''Software Update Failed''' The update could not be installed. Please make sure there are no other copies of Firefox running on your computer, and then restart Firefox to try again.{/note} {/for} This article presents possible solutions to this problem and workarounds to get Firefox updated. __TOC__ = Another application is using Firefox = Close ALL other programs and attempt to restart Firefox. Some Mail programs (such as Eudora) can have processes reserved in Firefox with no outward indication. = Another user is running Firefox = If you share your computer with other users, and another user's account is still logged in with Firefox running, this error can occur. Make sure you're the only user logged in to the computer when updating Firefox. The easiest way to do this is to restart your computer. Once the computer starts up again, start Firefox, click the {menu Help} menu, and select {menu Check for Updates...}. * If {menu Check for Updates...} is grayed out, see [[Check for Updates is disabled]]. = End all Firefox processes and restart Firefox = End any Firefox processes that may still be active, either manually or by restarting your computer. {for win} You can manually end the Firefox process using Windows Task Manager. # Right-click on an empty spot in the Windows task bar and select {menu Task Manager} (or press {key Ctrl}+{key Shift}+{key Esc}). # Select the {menu Processes} tab. # Select the '''firefox.exe''' entry in the processes list, click {button End Process} and click {button Yes} in the "Task Manager Warning" dialog that appears. {/for} Once all instances of Firefox have been ended or after the computer starts up again, restart Firefox to see if the updater is now working. {for win} = Run as Administrator = If you are using Windows 7 or Vista: #End the Firefox process in Windows Task Manager as explained above, or reboot the computer so that no Firefox processes are active. #Open the Windows Start Menu, type ''firefox'' and right-click on the "Mozilla Firefox" entry that appears. #Select {menu Run as Administrator} and {menu Continue} if the User Account Control dialog comes up. If the issue is not resolved, end Firefox again, as explained above, but this time, open the {filepath C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox} folder, right-click on the '''firefox''' or '''firefox.exe''' file icon and select {menu Run as Administrator}. <!-- http://support.mozilla.com/tiki-view_forum_thread.php?comments_parentId=171013&forumId=1 --> = Spybot TeaTimer = Spybot TeaTimer can interfere with Firefox updates. If you use Spybot, try disabling TeaTimer before updating Firefox. # Open Spybot # Open {menu Mode} and choose {menu Advanced} # In the prompt that comes up, press {button OK}. # Click {menu Tools}, then {menu Resident}. # Uncheck '''Resident "TeaTimer"'''. Now that TeaTimer is off, try updating Firefox again by clicking the {menu Help} menu, and selecting {menu Check for Updates...}. Regardless of whether Firefox can now update, remember to re-activate TeaTimer. = Logitech QuickCam = <!-- http://support.mozilla.com/tiki-view_forum_thread.php?comments_parentId=11911&forumId=1 http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=2974502#2974502 http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=2975045#2975045 --> If you use a Logitech Web camera, the QuickCam software can interfere with Firefox updates. Physically disconnect the camera from your computer. If you have a QuickCam icon in the Windows system tray, right-click the icon and select "Exit". If you do not see a QuickCam icon, you stop the software from running using Windows Task Manager, as follows: # Right-click on an empty spot in the Windows task bar and select {menu Task Manager} (or press {key Ctrl}+{key Shift}+{key Esc}). The Windows Task Manager will open. # Click the {menu Processes} tab. # Select the "Quickcam.exe" entry in the processes list and click {button End Process} # Click {button Yes} in the Task Manager Warning dialog. With Quickcam no longer running, try updating Firefox again by clicking the {menu Help} menu, and selecting {menu Check for Updates...}. = XULRunner Programs = XULRunner programs (e.g. Azureus Vuze) will use parts of Firefox. Close other programs, then try updating Firefox again. {/for} = Last resort = If you have tried every solution above and you still see the '''Software Update Failed''' message, you can update Firefox by installing the new version over top of your current version. See [[Installing Firefox]] for details. If you are seeing this error even though you have installed the latest version of Firefox, see [[Updates reported when running newest version]]. <!-- MZ credit --> <br/> <br/> '''''Based on information from [http://kb.mozillazine.org/Software_Update#Software_Update_not_working_properly Software Update (mozillaZine KB)]'''''