Hi, it is a computer program running on millions of configurations and each one is individual. There at times is no reason it just is as it is a computer program. So there is no answer.

If you have issues again you may have to leave that open again. Sometimes a issue does not clear up until several updates.

If you would care to ya can do this : uninstall Firefox. Then Delete the Mozilla Firefox Folders in C:\Program Files , C:\Program Files(x86) & C:\ProgramData Then restart system. Then run Windows Disk Cleanup. (Note: This should be Pinned and run Weekly, If never done below expect 10's of gig's) Then run it again and click the button that says Cleanup System Files. Note: your Firefox Profile is saved. But you should make a back up before you do :

• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/back-and-restore-information-firefox-profiles
• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/export-firefox-bookmarks-to-backup-or-transfer

Reinstall with Current Release Firefox 61.0.2 with a Full Version Installer

• https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/ IMPORTANT

Please let us know if this solved your issue or if need further assistance.

Thanks, I unfortunately don't have time to try this just yet as I am way behind on deadlines, but it is still happening and is driving me crazy, so I will give it a go when I have time - I'll let you know then.

Ok, it is only about 7mins to do. I have added a few things like Windows Disk Cleanup as people do not know about it and it is a must for Win10.

Ok short, 7mins All settings stay and customization. Working only with main files and Profile is safe So backup :

• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/back-and-restore-information-firefox-profiles
• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/export-firefox-bookmarks-to-backup-or-transfer

Reinstall with Current Release Firefox 61.0.2 with a Full Version Installer

• https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/ IMPORTANT

Hi Pkshadow

So I now have a totally new PC, to which I downloaded a fresh copy of Firefox (now 61.0.3 of course), and the problem continues unabated.

But, I have downloaded a fresh copy yet again (didn't bother with the back up steps), and I'll post an update in due course, although I must say I am not very optimistic considering this did not solve it the first time I tried it.

By the way, something else that might be connected - when I open up help and navigate to 'about Firefox', the 'checking for updates' seems to run forever (I can't remember how long as I usually give up and close it), but I would guess it was at least 15 mins the last time I tried it, surely it should just take a few seconds to see if there is a more recent version.

So it has only been a couple of hours since I did a new install of Firefox, and it has already said it cannot update to latest version, even though I (still) have the latest version. (Mercifully the checking for updates now only runs for 2-3 minutes).

As flagged as IMPORTANT above, I used that link to download the 64 bit British English version.

I am a bit surprised that no-one else seems to have the same problem, especially now that I have experienced it on two PC's.

Hi Mark, the check whether there is a new version shouldn't take more than a few seconds, unless there is a problem contacting the update server. That is a specific address designed to look up versions and not the download server. After the check is complete, if an update is available, the dialog would show Downloading.

Are your two Firefoxes completely independent or do they share:

• Settings, as a result of copying manually or using Sync
• Add-ons in common
• Security software in common
• Router/network connection in common

Hi jscher2000,

At the time of writing, I was using the latest version (62.0.3), there is now a version 63.0.0 but that was only released on on October 23, 2018, 5 days after my latest post above.

I don't follow your comment regarding 2 Firefoxes, I only have one desktop PC with one copy of Firefox.

Another curve ball - when I display the Help>About screen, not only does it still take a minute or two to determine if there are any updates, it also gives the wrong info - it says Firefox is up to date, when it is not (still shows as 62.0.3 (64 bit)).

Between the above two symptoms, there seems to be a serious disconnect in the version checking process.

Since this is not a general problem affecting all users, the implication is that it must be something to do either with the way I use Firefox, or perhaps with my PC settings. So, some background info:-

• I only use vanilla Firefox (no addins, etc.)
• I also use IE, Chrome, and Opera.
• Firefox is *not* my default browser.

Finally, this bug has been around for numerous versions, for me since before version 61 (when I eventually got frustrated enough to log it), but other users have experienced it from version 56 (admittedly that was on a MAC whereas I am using Windows 10).

I will of course manually update to the latest version in the next few days, but based on the above, I have no confidence that this will fix the problem.

Hi Mark, it might still be broken, but this is a difficult time to confirm that. When a full new version is released, only a fraction of the requests for update information are pointed to the new version. This is to allow an initial group of users to experience the update and check for any disasters caused by the new release before triggering everyone to update.

Hi jscher2000, so I have installed 63.0, and within 5 hours the problem has recurred.

I would much prefer that I keep Firefox set-up to auto-check for updates, but I'm now getting to the stage where it going to be much less effort to switch this off and just check manually every few weeks or months - which is probably what most others with this problem have done.

If you have any final suggestions now is the time, otherwise I will go that route.

Thanks, Mark

I'd had the same problem for weeks and it was incredibly frustrating. Have you looked at your network/firewall settings?

It turns out in my case that I was blocking traffic to some of Mozilla's servers. I run a Pi-Hole and assume that Mozilla telemetry servers were found on some of the blacklists I'd subscribed to.

After whitelisting the mozilla.org' things immediately went back to normal. I'm currently allowing traffic to and from 'mozilla.org' and 'mozilla.net' and it seems to be working.

On a side note, is anyone aware of a list of the servers mozilla uses for updates/telemetry, etc.? I haven't come across one aside from this post: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1125193

EDIT: Nevermind the possible fix by whitelisting mozilla domains above. Shortly after, the issue returned.