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Firefox will not download and work

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  • Last reply by brandf91

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I have been using Firefox for years but in the last 2 weeks it suddenly started not working properly, being incredibly slow with any search. I uninstalled and re-installed but it still would not work and not it will not even install properly. I have tried about 12 times to install Firefox but it never uploads and works.

I use Windows 11 on Lenovo Yoga, and use the 32 bit version of Firefox. Any ideas what the problem could be?

Chris

I have been using Firefox for years but in the last 2 weeks it suddenly started not working properly, being incredibly slow with any search. I uninstalled and re-installed but it still would not work and not it will not even install properly. I have tried about 12 times to install Firefox but it never uploads and works. I use Windows 11 on Lenovo Yoga, and use the 32 bit version of Firefox. Any ideas what the problem could be? Chris

Chosen solution

Hi Chris, I admire your determination!

What happens when you start Firefox? If a window opens but it seems dead from the address bar down, it could be this problem:

Sometimes program installers and uninstallers mess with certain shared Microsoft files, particularly the VCRUNTIME140_1.DLL file. You may see a message that it is missing from time to time. Firefox does not work without it.

To rule out that issue, you can (re)run Microsoft's installer for the VC Runtime files:

(A) Open https://docs.microsoft.com/en-US/cpp/windows/latest-supported-vc-redist?view=msvc-160#visual-studio-2015-2017-2019-and-2022

(B) In the "Visual Studio 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022" section of the article, download the installer for your system:

  • 64-bit Windows: the "X64" download
  • 32-bit Windows: the "X86" download

(C) Run that installer and restart Windows.

Any improvement?


If you can't get a complete install, on the other hand:

If you have been downloading the "stub" installer -- small file that detects your system and retrieves the full installer -- you should try the full or offline installer from https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/#product-desktop-release

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Chosen Solution

Hi Chris, I admire your determination!

What happens when you start Firefox? If a window opens but it seems dead from the address bar down, it could be this problem:

Sometimes program installers and uninstallers mess with certain shared Microsoft files, particularly the VCRUNTIME140_1.DLL file. You may see a message that it is missing from time to time. Firefox does not work without it.

To rule out that issue, you can (re)run Microsoft's installer for the VC Runtime files:

(A) Open https://docs.microsoft.com/en-US/cpp/windows/latest-supported-vc-redist?view=msvc-160#visual-studio-2015-2017-2019-and-2022

(B) In the "Visual Studio 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022" section of the article, download the installer for your system:

  • 64-bit Windows: the "X64" download
  • 32-bit Windows: the "X86" download

(C) Run that installer and restart Windows.

Any improvement?


If you can't get a complete install, on the other hand:

If you have been downloading the "stub" installer -- small file that detects your system and retrieves the full installer -- you should try the full or offline installer from https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/#product-desktop-release

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I ran the VC Runtime file first and, fingers crossed, that seems to have solved it. Much appreciated.

Chris