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"Firefox must be restarted to install add-ons", but restarting does nothing

  • 10 replies
  • 80 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by Morbus

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On the add-ons screen, it says "Restart Firefox to complete your changes", so I click restart, but when the browser restarts it still says the same thing. No new add-ons can be installed or updated, or even removed because it keeps asking for it to be restarted. This only happened a few days ago as soon as I updated to the latest Firefox, but the problem remains if I try using the older browser version.

On the add-ons screen, it says "Restart Firefox to complete your changes", so I click restart, but when the browser restarts it still says the same thing. No new add-ons can be installed or updated, or even removed because it keeps asking for it to be restarted. This only happened a few days ago as soon as I updated to the latest Firefox, but the problem remains if I try using the older browser version.

Chosen solution

Delete the files extensions.* (extensions.rdf, extensions.cache, extensions.ini) and compatibility.ini in the Firefox profile folder to reset the extensions registry. See "Corrupt extension files": http://kb.mozillazine.org/Unable_to_install_themes_or_extensions

If you see disabled extensions that are not compatible on the next start in "Tools > Add-ons > Extensions" then click the "Find Updates" button to do a compatibility check.

Read this answer in context 👍 5

All Replies (10)

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You are using an unsupported beta version of Firefox 3.6. Update Firefox to Firefox 3.6.3 (download it off the official site - getfirefox.com ) and see if that fixes the issue.

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As I already mentioned I have tried the Mozilla Firefox version 3.6.3 but I have the same problem in this browser, ever since I installed the beta. Do I have to completely delete the beta from my system for add-ons to work again?

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On paper (the majority of the cases), you don't, as long as the beta and the stable builds are installed in different locations.

If this is an issue you've been noticing for a few days (i.e., on different windows sessions) then I don't know how to help. But if you haven't restarted your computer yet, do this:

1 - install an extension; 2 - close the browser (don't click the restart button, just close it); 3 - press CTRL+SHIFT+ESC to open the task manager; 4 - see if Firefox is still running. If it is not, jump to 6; 5 - terminate the firefox.exe process (in the processes tab, not in the applications tab - if you're using Windows' default task manager) 6 - start firefox.

If this doesn't fix the issue, I have no idea how to help you. Sorry. Hopefully someone else will.

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I've tried these steps, also removed the Firefox Beta altogether, restarted the computer. Still doesn't work. I suppose worst comes to the worst I'll have to remove Firefox altogether and reinstall it from scratch.

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That shouldn't be needed. Do this, please:

- type about:support in your address bar and press enter - click "Copy all to clipboard" - paste here the result (just paste)

That should be helpful, since it's possible that there's some issue with the profile itself, and not the Firefox installation.

EDIT:

To the mods, I accidentally reported this post, never mind. Also, please include some "unreport" function. It's pretty basic...

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Chosen Solution

Delete the files extensions.* (extensions.rdf, extensions.cache, extensions.ini) and compatibility.ini in the Firefox profile folder to reset the extensions registry. See "Corrupt extension files": http://kb.mozillazine.org/Unable_to_install_themes_or_extensions

If you see disabled extensions that are not compatible on the next start in "Tools > Add-ons > Extensions" then click the "Find Updates" button to do a compatibility check.

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Thanks, deleting the files worked.

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I just updated to 3.6.6 and I have the same issue. No matter how many times I terminate the process and restart firefox, I cannot get it to actually install the addons.


 Application Basics
       Name
       Firefox
       Version
       3.6.6
       Profile Directory
         Open Containing Folder
       Installed Plugins
         about:plugins
       Build Configuration
         about:buildconfig
 Extensions
       Name
       Version
       Enabled
       ID
       Firebug
       1.5.4
       true
       firebug@software.joehewitt.com
       Java Console
       6.0.16
       true
        
       Microsoft .NET Framework Assistant
       1.2.1
       true
       {20a82645-c095-46ed-80e3-08825760534b}
       Adblock Plus
       1.2
       true
        
       WebMail Notifier
       2.4.2
       true
       {37fa1426-b82d-11db-8314-0800200c9a66}
 Modified Preferences
     Name
     Value
       accessibility.typeaheadfind.flashBar
       0
       browser.history_expire_days.mirror
       180
       browser.places.smartBookmarksVersion
       2
       browser.startup.homepage
       http://wowsource.us
       browser.startup.homepage_override.mstone
       rv:1.9.2.6
       extensions.lastAppVersion
       3.6.6
       general.useragent.extra.microsoftdotnet
       ( .NET CLR 3.5.30729; .NET4.0E)
       network.cookie.prefsMigrated
       true
       print.print_printer
       HP Photosmart C7100 series
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_bgcolor
       false
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_bgimages
       false
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_command
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_downloadfonts
       false
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_edge_bottom
       0
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_edge_left
       0
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_edge_right
       0
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_edge_top
       0
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_evenpages
       true
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_footercenter
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_footerleft
       &PT
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_footerright
       &D
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_headercenter
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_headerleft
       &T
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_headerright
       &U
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_in_color
       true
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_margin_bottom
       0.5
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_margin_left
       0.5
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_margin_right
       0.5
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_margin_top
       0.5
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_oddpages
       true
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_orientation
       0
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_pagedelay
       500
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_paper_data
       1
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_paper_height
       11.00
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_paper_size_type
       0
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_paper_size_unit
       0
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_paper_width
       8.50
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_reversed
       false
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_scaling
       1.00
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_shrink_to_fit
       true
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_to_file
       false
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_unwriteable_margin_bottom
       0
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_unwriteable_margin_left
       0
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_unwriteable_margin_right
       0
       print.printer_HP_Photosmart_C7100_series.print_unwriteable_margin_top
       0
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_bgcolor
       false
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_bgimages
       false
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_command
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_downloadfonts
       false
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_edge_bottom
       0
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_edge_left
       0
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_edge_right
       0
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_edge_top
       0
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_evenpages
       true
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_footercenter
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_footerleft
       &PT
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_footerright
       &D
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_headercenter
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_headerleft
       &T
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_headerright
       &U
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_in_color
       true
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_margin_bottom
       0.5
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_margin_left
       0.5
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_margin_right
       0.5
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_margin_top
       0.5
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_oddpages
       true
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_orientation
       0
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_pagedelay
       500
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_paper_data
       1
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_paper_height
       11.00
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_paper_size_type
       0
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_paper_size_unit
       0
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_paper_width
       8.50
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_reversed
       false
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_scaling
       1.00
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_shrink_to_fit
       true
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_to_file
       false
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_unwriteable_margin_bottom
       0
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_unwriteable_margin_left
       0
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_unwriteable_margin_right
       0
       print.printer_Microsoft_XPS_Document_Writer.print_unwriteable_margin_top
       0
       privacy.sanitize.migrateFx3Prefs
       true
       security.warn_viewing_mixed
       false

It says the addons are enabled but they actually aren't.

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Original poster here. Funnily enough I had the same problem as Mike today. I deleted the files as Cor-el suggested and it installed the Add-Ons as normal again.

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Yes, thank you Cor-el, that resolved my problem as well and sorry I didn't post back to let you know that. Thanks cor-el! And I'm glad you got your issue resolved too, Liam.