If you're having problems with Firefox, refreshing it can help. The refresh feature fixes many issues by restoring Firefox to its default state while saving your essential information like bookmarks, passwords, and open tabs.

Refresh Firefox

  1. Click this Refresh Firefox button directly, if you are viewing this page in Firefox (it won't work if you are using a different browser). You will also find a Refresh button on the top right corner of the Firefox about:support Troubleshooting Information page.
  2. To continue, click Refresh Firefox in the confirmation window that opens.
  3. Firefox will close to refresh itself. When finished, a window will list your imported information. Click Finish and Firefox will open.
Note: There's also a Refresh Firefox button in the Firefox Safe Mode window, if you can't start Firefox normally.

What does the refresh feature do?

All of your Firefox settings and personal information are stored in a profile folder. The refresh feature works by creating a new profile folder for you while saving your important data.

Add-ons normally stored inside the Firefox profile folder, such as extensions and themes, will be removed. Add-ons stored in other locations, such as plugins, will not be removed but any modified preferences (such as plugins you have disabled) will be reset.

Firefox will save these items:

  • Bookmarks
  • Browsing history
  • Passwords
  • Open windows, tabs and tab groups
  • Cookies
  • Web form auto-fill information
  • Personal dictionary

These items and settings will be removed:

Note: Your old Firefox profile will be placed on your desktop in a folder named "Old Firefox Data." If the reset didn't fix your problem you can restore some of the information not saved by copying files to the new profile that was created. If you don't need this folder any longer, you should delete it as it contains sensitive information.