Re-enable add-ons that were disabled when updating Firefox

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  • Creator: Michael Verdi
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When Firefox updates it turns off add-ons that are not compatible with the new version. This article explains how to get your add-ons working again.

Check for add-on updates during the Firefox update

When Firefox turns off incompatible add-ons during its update it also offers to check for new versions of your add-ons and install them.
Add-on Disabled Win 1

  1. In the dialog box, click the Check Now button. If a new version of the add-on is available, it will be displayed.
  2. Click the Install Now button. The add-on will be downloaded and installed.
  3. Click the Finish button to start Firefox.


Force add-ons to work by installing the Add-on Compatibility Reporter

The Add-on Compatibility Reporter add-on will force Firefox to turn on your disabled add-ons. Some add-ons will work just fine this way but you may find that others don't work or cause Firefox to crash. To install the Add-on Compatibility Reporter, do the following:

  1. Go to Add-on Compatibility Reporter download page.
  2. Click the Add to Firefox button.
  3. When the Software Installation window comes up, click Install Now to begin the download.
  4. When the download is complete, click Restart Now in the notification window to complete the installation.
Important: To turn on your disabled add-ons, restart Firefox a second time.
  1. Click the Firefox menu Fx89menuButton and select Exit.Click the Firefox menu at the top of the screen and select Quit Firefox.Click the Firefox menu Fx89menuButton and select Quit.
  2. Start Firefox the way you normally do and all of your add-ons should now be active.

Report whether or not your add-ons work with this version of Firefox

We'll pass this info on to the companies that make these add-ons.

  1. Click the menu button Fx89menuButton, click Add-ons and themes and select Extensions.
  2. Click the Compatibility button for each add-on and report whether it works on not.

Report Compatibility - Win

Note: You may notice a warning in the Add-ons Manager tab that Add-on compatibility checking is disabled. Don't click enable while using the Add-on Compatibility Reporter or your add-ons will be turned off again.

Do not enable checking - Win


Update the add-on after the upgrade

By default, Firefox continually checks for new versions of extensions and appearances and, if it finds any, updates them automatically. However, you can always manually check to see if there are new versions of any add-ons that were turned off.

  1. At the top of the Firefox window, click on the Firefox button (Tools menu in Windows XP), and then click Add-onsOn the menu bar, click on the Tools menu, and then click Add-onsAt the top of the Firefox window, click on the Tools menu, and then click Add-ons. The Add-ons Manager tab will open.
  2. Click Add-on Tools IconAdd-on Tools Icon - Linux and select Check for Updates. If Firefox finds updates, the Available Updates panel will appear.
  3. Select the Available Updates panel.
  4. Click either the Update Now button to update only the selected add-on, or the Install Updates button to update all extensions and appearances. The add-on(s) will be downloaded.
  5. Click the "Restart now" link to install updates.

A new version of the add-on that is compatible with your version of Firefox may have been released after you upgraded Firefox. To check manually for updates, do the following:

  1. At the top of the Firefox window, click on the Tools menu, and select Add-onsOn the menu bar, click on the Tools menu, and select Add-onsAt the top of the Firefox window, click on the Tools menu, and select Add-ons. The Add-ons window will open.
  2. Select the Extensions or Themes panel depending on the kind of add-on.
  3. Then click Find Updates. If Firefox finds an update, you will be prompted to install it and restart Firefox.


Search for updates or fixes from the add-on developer

Some add-on developers have different versions of their add-on for different Firefox versions so automatic updating does not work.

  1. In the Add-ons Manager tab, click on More on the incompatible extension, and then click on the home page link, close to Homepage. You will be taken to the home page for that add-on.
  2. Download the latest version of the add-on from the add-on home page.
  1. In the Add-ons window, right-clickhold down the Ctrl key while you click on the incompatible extension, and select Visit Home Page. You will be taken to the home page for that add-on.

    e8e458d26be3ac85a881234844325d4a-1247762658-700-1.jpg
  2. Download the latest version of the add-on from the home page for that add-on.


Search for alternatives

Similar behavior or functionality may be provided by another add-on which is compatible with your version of Firefox. The Add-ons site is a good place to start searching for similar or alternative extensions.