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Firefox seems to update in the background, then accuses me of launching an older version, wiping my bookmarks

I'm running Firefox 139.0.1 on Mac Sonoma 14.7.1. Since FF V138, I've had this extremely frustrating problem where, approximately once a day and while the application is… (read more)

I'm running Firefox 139.0.1 on Mac Sonoma 14.7.1.

Since FF V138, I've had this extremely frustrating problem where, approximately once a day and while the application is still running, Firefox seems to either auto-revert to an older version' 'or otherwise mess up the installation files. I don't get any notice this is happening until I try to open a new tab and it brings up the "You must restart Firefox" notice. When I click Restart, it pops up with "You've launched an older version of Firefox, so you won't keep any of your bookmarks because that would be unstable" error.

The only way I've found to fix it is to redownload the most recent install files, which, after the fresh install, will allow me to keep using Firefox with my bookmarks for the next 5-6 hours, before the whole process starts again.

I theoretically have auto-updates off; my settings are set to the other option, "Check for updates but let you choose to install them". Doesn't seem to make a difference. It only does this on my Mac; the FF install on my Windows machine works fine.

I really want to keep using FF. It's my preferred personal browser. But this is really messing with me! I was hopeful that 139.1 would fix it but same issue, so far.

Archived 2 210

Correct Data Collection

Why does not FF recognize that my OS is windows 11, not incorrectly windows 8? This prevents me from updating to latest FF browser versions newer than 115.37 to 128 and … (read more)

Why does not FF recognize that my OS is windows 11, not incorrectly windows 8? This prevents me from updating to latest FF browser versions newer than 115.37 to 128 and higher. Now, with the popularity of AI, my bank no longer supports FF version 115.37 or lower browsers. Might it be FF is not seeing the correct IP address for windows 11 OS? However, I see nowhere on my FF account to let me or FF correct this error. If this cannot be corrected, this I (and thousands of other users) will have to abandon FF for other more up to date browsers because it looks like google, ms and apple are herding their clients to stop recognizing other browsers, which do not support AI protocols.

Solved Archived 2 201

use Linux mint, trying to update browser but says,"update disabled by organization", I am one person.

cannot update browser. Currently using Linex Mint, #139, but latest is 150. As stated above, when I try to update, says browser update disabled by organization. Do not … (read more)

cannot update browser. Currently using Linex Mint, #139, but latest is 150. As stated above, when I try to update, says browser update disabled by organization. Do not understand, I never authorized disabling browser updating.

Archived 2 201

Can't update Firefox to latest version

I can't seem to update to the latest version of Firefox. Steps on macOS 15.2: 1. In previous version of Firefox, get dialog to update to current version of Firefox 2. Cli… (read more)

I can't seem to update to the latest version of Firefox.

Steps on macOS 15.2: 1. In previous version of Firefox, get dialog to update to current version of Firefox 2. Click Restart to update Firefox. 3. Enter admin user name and password to allow Firefox to install a helper 4. Got a request to let Firefox access my devices. My devices are not Firefox's business, so I replied Don't allow. Note: 3 and 4 may have been swapped.

Expected result: Get a dialog that Mozilla corp has installed something; Firefox relaunches with the new version

Actual result: Get a dialog that Mozilla corp has installed something

Attempted workaround:

5. Click Firefox icon in the dock

Expected result: Firefox launches

Actual result: Get dialog asking me to enter admin user name and password to allow Firefox to install a helper.

6. I do so.

Expected result: Get a dialog that Mozilla corp has installed something; Firefox relaunches with the new version

Actual result: Get a dialog that Mozilla corp has installed something

Attempted workaround:

7. Click Firefox icon in the dock

And I get a strange feeling of deja vu as the process repeats and I am unable to launch Firefox.

If I look at the macOS console and filter on Mozilla, I notice these two messages from org.mozilla.updater:

  1. Server doesn't exist or doesn't provide correct selectors.
  2. Failed to connect to update server after several retries.

I have no idea how to proceeed.

Archived 2 200

"Firefox is being updated by another instance" is driving me crazy !

Since I upgraded from FF128-esr to FF140-esr I always get the "Firefox is being updated by another instance" This is really driving me crazy, as I checked / did / .... ev… (read more)

Since I upgraded from FF128-esr to FF140-esr I always get the "Firefox is being updated by another instance" This is really driving me crazy, as I checked / did / .... everything (and even more) I found on the internet related to that.

Nothing helps !

Creating and using a new default profile didn't help

Finally I ended up uninstalling FF completely (making sure no -zero- leftovers remained in ProgramFiles, AppData a.s.o.), and reinstalled FF140.7.0-esr freshly. After installation I started FF immediately with the created default profile (only existing one) --> SAME THING : "Firefox is being updated by another instance"

And this is really a FF140 thing, when I go back to FF128, on the same computer, same profiles, ...., the problem is gone.

I would like to know in detail what checks are really done by FF to decide to give that "Firefox is being updated by another instance"

Archived 15 191

Updating Firefox to 138.0.3 on my Apple Mac. Installer tool could not first install itself and Firefox froze,(does not respond), on 3rd try.

How should I fix the frozen browser. Firefox updated ok from another user account on this computer, though Firefox has always updated for all accounts on the computer wh… (read more)

How should I fix the frozen browser. Firefox updated ok from another user account on this computer, though Firefox has always updated for all accounts on the computer when updated from any of the accounts. The installer tool got caught in a loop to install until it froze the browser on the third retry. What should I do?

Archived 3 180

firefox 147 not updating to firefox 148

Why hasn't firefox 147.0.4 updated to firefox 148 ? The computer is windows 10 home 64 bit that is enrolled in extended security updates. The update has been released a f… (read more)

Why hasn't firefox 147.0.4 updated to firefox 148 ? The computer is windows 10 home 64 bit that is enrolled in extended security updates. The update has been released a few days ago I believe, in Canada,also I;m wondering if there is a button that is available in "about:config" that forces a update check. Thanks James

Solved Archived 7 180

your updates do not work and repeatedly we messages to update your browser that never does update!!

your updates do not work and repeatedly we messages to update your browser that never does update! so do we have to delete this Linux program to replace it with something… (read more)

your updates do not work and repeatedly we messages to update your browser that never does update! so do we have to delete this Linux program to replace it with something that actually works or are you willing to fix the glitches in your system?

Archived 2 180

Issues following 8/5/25 browser update

After the 8/5/25 Firefox update the internet is inaccessible on my laptop through the standard Firefox browser. The internet is accessible with MS Edge. Toolbar is set t… (read more)

After the 8/5/25 Firefox update the internet is inaccessible on my laptop through the standard Firefox browser. The internet is accessible with MS Edge. Toolbar is set to always show bookmarks but none appear. Also, the browser's application's menu does not open to access options such as restore previous session, recently closed tabs, etc. I've restarted my device several times without it resolving the issues with the standard browser.

The Firefox developer version opened in command prompt safe mode (firefox -safe-mode), which is how this inquiry is being sent, but no bookmarks on tool bar or current page history from the standard (non-developer) Firefox.

I'd like to return to accessing the internet using the standard Firefox version with its bookmarks, history, etc. I am using Windows 10. Thank you.

Archived 1 180

Cannot Upgrade from Firefox 149.0

I am running Firefox 149.0 (64-bit) on Windows 10. FF tells me that there is an update. I downloaded the update, and when I restart FF, it does not update. Version 149… (read more)

I am running Firefox 149.0 (64-bit) on Windows 10. FF tells me that there is an update. I downloaded the update, and when I restart FF, it does not update. Version 149.0 is re-started, and Help --> About Firefox again tells me to restart to upgrade. I have tried the upgrade at least three times.

Solved Archived 9 171

Error Message on Auto Update of Firefox

Greetings, Team. When Firefox does an Auto-update while starting, an error message arrives, " NSIS Error: Error writing temporary file. Make sure your temp folder is val… (read more)

Greetings, Team. When Firefox does an Auto-update while starting, an error message arrives, " NSIS Error:

Error writing temporary file. Make sure your temp folder is valid.

OK " Please, where and what name does this 'temp folder' have?

How may I fix this Error?

Thank y'all in advance. Phil T. ps W10, Chkdsk OK, system appears OK.

Archived 3 170

Restart to Keep Using Firefox

Every once in a while, Firefox stops allowing me to navigate to any new websites, instead giving only a page that says: "Restart to Keep Using Firefox An update to Firef… (read more)

Every once in a while, Firefox stops allowing me to navigate to any new websites, instead giving only a page that says:

"Restart to Keep Using Firefox

An update to Firefox started in the background. You’ll need to restart to finish the update.

Your windows and tabs will be quickly restored, but private ones will not."

I have automatic updates disabled in Firefox settings, and I have gone into about:config and set app.update.auto.migrated to false, and yet this issue persists. It seems like Firefox is ignoring my preferences. I don't wish to restart Firefox while I'm in the middle of a bunch of work. How can I get past this message and continue using Firefox without restarting? Do I need to delete update files or something?

This random surprise block to my work is ridiculous. We need the flexibility to update/restart Firefox only whenever we're ready to.

Archived 2 170