This feature is available on Firefox for desktop or laptop computers.
If you're having problems with Firefox, refreshing may help by restoring the browser to its default state while saving your essential information, like bookmarks and passwords.
Important: A Firefox refresh removes add-ons and other customizations, such as extensions, extension data, and preference configurations. If you've made accessibility customizations to Firefox, you may need to add them back after refreshing. Consider using Firefox Troubleshoot ModeSafe Mode to diagnose issues before you refresh Firefox.
Table of Contents
Refresh Firefox
- Click the menu button
, click and select .
- Click then in the confirmation window that opens. Firefox will close to refresh itself.
- When finished, a window will list your imported information. Click the button. Firefox will open.
- Select whether you want Firefox to restore all or some windows and tabs and click the button.
- Click the menu button , click and select .
- Click then in the confirmation window that opens. Firefox will close to refresh itself.
- When finished, a window will list your imported information. Click the button. Firefox will open.
Note: There's a Refresh Firefox button in the Firefox Troubleshoot ModeSafe Mode window, if you can't start Firefox normally. You can also do a manual refresh by creating a new profile and transferring your important data to the new profile.
What does the refresh feature do?
Firefox stores all your settings and personal information in a profile folder. The refresh feature creates a new profile folder and saves your important data.
The refresh feature removes add-ons normally stored inside the Firefox profile folder (such as extensions and themes). Add-ons stored in other locations are not removed (although any modified preferences are reset).
Firefox will save these items:
- Bookmarks
- Browsing and download history
- Passwords
- Cookies
- Web form auto-fill information
- Personal dictionary
These items and settings will be removed:
- Extensions and themes
- Website permissions
- Modified preferences
- Added search engines
- DOM storage
- Security certificate and device settings
- Download actions
- Toolbar customizations
- User styles (chrome subfolder containing userChrome and/or userContent CSS files, if previously created.)
Note: The refresh will place your old Firefox profile on your desktop in a folder named “Old Firefox Data”. If your problem persists, you can partially restore lost information by copying files to the newly created profile. If you no longer need this folder, delete it because it contains sensitive information.
