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The longer you use your web browser, the more likely you are to encounter problems. It is almost an inevitability. This is also understandable. At one time, browsers were only used for web surfing. Today we use them for everything. In fact, I’d even bet that 90% of everything people do on a computer is through a web browser.
Because of that ubiquity, it should come as no surprise that our web browsers eventually succumb to the pressures we put on them. And when you’re not clearing your browser’s cache regularly (and generally treating them with care), they can crash and burn.
Also: How to Customize the Firefox Search Tool to Better Meet Your Needs
When this happens, you have to take drastic measures. No, I’m not talking about uninstalling and reinstalling (though that certainly can work) but rather, resetting the browser. When you reset most web browsers, you lose all your data, your bookmarks, passwords… everything. It is as if you have installed the software for the first time. This way, you can be sure that the browser will work as expected.
However, a Firefox refresh does not remove your bookmarks and passwords. Instead, it removes all extensions and customizations (as those two bits usually cause problems for browsers).
Too: Firefox for Android just got an important privacy feature: How it could benefit you
One thing I always recommend before doing this refresh is to make sure you’ve either backed up things like bookmarks or make sure you’ve connected your browser to a sync service. For example, with the Firefox browser, you can sign up for a free Firefox Sync account and sync things like bookmarks, settings, open tabs, passwords, cookies, history, add-ons, credit cards and addresses Are.
Once you do this, when you reset Firefox, all you have to do is log into your sync account and everything will sync. The caveat in this is that if, say, a particular setting or extension causes the problem, you may find yourself back in the first place as soon as the sync is over. Because of that problem, I never add settings or add-ons to the list of synced items.
I would strongly recommend not syncing settings and add-ons. Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET
Once you’ve set up your sync account, it’s time to refresh (aka “reset”) Firefox.
how to refresh firefox
what you’ll need: All you need for this is a running instance of the Firefox browser. I always recommend you use the latest version available, so be sure to upgrade the browser whenever you get the chance.
Of course, this assumes that Firefox will be open. If not, you’ll probably need to uninstall and reinstall the app or delete your profile folder (more on that in a bit).
Click the Firefox menu in the upper right corner (the three horizontal lines) and click Help > More troubleshooting information. or you can just type About: Support in address bar.
The Troubleshooter window is accessed through the Firefox main menu. Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET
On the resulting page, click the Refresh Firefox button near the top right corner.
You can also use Troubleshoot mode, which temporarily disables all add-ons, themes, and customizations. Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET
A new popup window will appear. Click Refresh Firefox to verify the process. It will then (presumably) remove the offending bits and restart the browser. Once the browser restarts, be sure to sign back into your Firefox account and let everything sync up.
Firefox will not refresh until you click the required button. Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET
What if Firefox won’t start?
If you find yourself in such a situation, you have two options:
- uninstall/reinstall firefox
- rename your profile directory
I would suggest renaming your profile directory first. That way, when you open Firefox again, it will create a new folder and you’ll be back in the same folder. Make sure to close Firefox first and then rename the directory it is located in one of these places:
- Linux (Snap Edition): /home/
/snap/firefox/common/.mozilla/firefox/ - Linux (non-Snap version): /home/<उपयोगकर्ता नाम>/.mozilla/firefox
- Mac OS: /the user/<उपयोगकर्ता नाम>/Library/Application Support/Firefox/Profiles/
- windows: C:\Users\
\AppData\Romaing\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\
Within that folder, you’ll find a sub-folder with a random name. That’s your profile folder. Close Firefox, rename the folder and reopen the browser. This will create a new profile folder and you’re back in business.
Too: What is Firefox Nightly and should you be using it?
Hopefully, you will never have to take such drastic measures again. But if the opportunity arises, you are ready to take care of the situation.
