Firefox automatically checks for software updates and prompts to install them when necessary. Sometimes, the updater fails and displays the following error message:

This article presents possible solutions to this problem and workarounds to get your Firefox updated.

Table Of Contents

• Another user is running Firefox
• Spybot TeaTimer
• Logitech QuickCam
• Last resort

Another user is running Firefox

If you share your computer with other users, and another user's account is still logged in with Firefox running, this error can occur. Make sure you're the only user logged in to the computer when updating Firefox. The easiest way to do this is to restart your computer. Once the computer starts up again, start Firefox, click the Help menu, and select Check for Updates....

• If Check for Updates... is grayed out, see Check for Updates is disabled.

Spybot TeaTimer

Spybot TeaTimer can interfere with Firefox updates. If you use Spybot, try disabling TeaTimer before updating Firefox.

1. Open Spybot
2. Open Mode and choose Advanced
3. In the prompt that comes up, press OK.
4. Click Tools, then Resident.
5. Uncheck Resident "TeaTimer".

Now that TeaTimer is off, try updating Firefox again by clicking the Help menu, and selecting Check for Updates....

Regardless of whether Firefox can now update, remember to re-activate TeaTimer.

Logitech QuickCam

If you use a Logitech Web camera, the QuickCam software can interfere with Firefox updates. Physically disconnect the camera from your computer. If you have a QuickCam icon in the Windows system tray, right-click the icon and select "Exit".

If you do not see a QuickCam icon, you stop the software from running using Windows Task Manager, as follows:

1. Right-click on an empty spot in the Windows task bar and select Task Manager (or press Ctrl+Alt+Delete). The Windows Task Manager will open.
2. Click the Processes tab.
3. Select the "Quickcam.exe" entry in the processes list and click End Process
4. Click Yes in the Task Manager Warning dialog.

With Quickcam no longer running, try updating Firefox again by clicking the Help menu, and selecting Check for Updates....

Last resort

If you have tried every solution above and still cannot update Firefox, you can update Firefox by installing the new version over top of your current version. See Installing Firefox for details.

Based on information from Software Update (mozillaZine KB)