Firefox Failed Downloads

Firefox benefits from a clean install sometimes especially if you have had it installed for a while with multiple version upgrades.

A clean install means full removal followed by a reboot. Then check for any remaining leftovers before fresh installing.

I have a Downloads arrow on my FF Toolbar next to the address box. I right-click the blank area just to the right of that address box, click Customize then an icon to that same empty space. The arrow will show a failed download, usually large files, and can be restarted/resumed by clicking it. Been using through several version upgrades of FF. There's also the Tools, Downloads that will work. A lot depends upon the quality of the Internet and all the Servers the signal goes through, not necessarily the speed of the connection.

pliskken said:

I tried uninstall and reinstall of Firefox but the issue persists. Looks like I'm switching to Chrome.

A clean install with all leftovers removed? The standard uninstaller doesn't remove them.

1. Press [Windows key+R] on the keyboard. A Run dialog will open.
2. Type in:
   %APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\

Or else navigate to:

C:\Users\<Windows login/user name>\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<profile folder>.

Backup these two: (Profiles folder and Profiles.ini file) to an external drive. Then disconnect the external drive.
AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\
AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles.ini

Get a copy of GeekUninstaller and run it. https://geekuninstaller.com

Find Firefox in the list of programs and double click it.
Choose yes when deleting profile data.
Allow it to scan for leftovers.
From the results list delete everything directly related to the Firefox Program installation or application data.

Reboot when finished.

Run Cccleaner if you've got a copy. Check here for Firefox leftovers and delete if found:

C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox
C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox
Press the [Windows key+R] to open a Run dialog, type in %APPDATA%\Mozilla\ and click OK to open the Mozilla folder, then delete the Firefox folder if found.

Reboot.

Download a fresh copy of firefox and install it.

Yesterday, I downloaded a .pdf e-zine yesterday with FF v.76.0 with no issues. Just updated to v.76.1 and did the download of the same file again with no issues. Been updating FF for several years with no new installs. I would not be surprised if the normal uninstall process leaves bits behind. There always seems to be something left in the registry after uninstall processes.

Well Firefox is well known for breaking after program upgrades especially major upgrades. Sometimes it's down to security software or user tweaks intefering with the upgrade process. A clean install of Firefox rather than a simple ininstall/ reinstall rules out problems with Firefox. If the problem persists after a clean install of Firefox then it's time to look elsewhere.

There are numerous examples where a clean install of Firefox fixes problems with it.