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message: COULDN'T LOAD XPCOM

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  • 176 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by cor-el

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When I click on the Firefox icon, getting message "couldn't load xpcom"

I would appreciate your help. Thanks.


Harvie N Green

When I click on the Firefox icon, getting message "couldn't load xpcom" I would appreciate your help. Thanks. Harvie N Green

Chosen solution

Do a clean reinstall and delete the Firefox program before (re)installing a fresh copy of the current Firefox release.

If possible uninstall your current Firefox version to cleanup the Windows registry and settings in security software.

  • Do NOT remove "personal data" when you uninstall your current Firefox version, because this will remove all profile folders and you lose personal data like bookmarks and passwords including data in profiles created by other Firefox versions.

Remove the Firefox program before installing that newly downloaded copy of the Firefox installer.

  • (32 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\"
  • (64 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\"

Your bookmarks and other personal data are stored in the Firefox profile folder and won't be affected by an uninstall and (re)install, but make sure that "remove personal data" is NOT selected when you uninstall Firefox.


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All Replies (2)

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A similar question has been asked earlier Couldn't load XPCOM.

First check if you use any form of identity protection, because by reading the Q&A above this seemed to be the problem (in this case the anti-virus responsible was Webroot Secure Anywhere).

If identity protection doesn't seem to be the problem, try to re-install Firefox.

Hopefully this will help you solve your problem.

more options

Chosen Solution

Do a clean reinstall and delete the Firefox program before (re)installing a fresh copy of the current Firefox release.

If possible uninstall your current Firefox version to cleanup the Windows registry and settings in security software.

  • Do NOT remove "personal data" when you uninstall your current Firefox version, because this will remove all profile folders and you lose personal data like bookmarks and passwords including data in profiles created by other Firefox versions.

Remove the Firefox program before installing that newly downloaded copy of the Firefox installer.

  • (32 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\"
  • (64 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\"

Your bookmarks and other personal data are stored in the Firefox profile folder and won't be affected by an uninstall and (re)install, but make sure that "remove personal data" is NOT selected when you uninstall Firefox.