This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Can't update to newest version. Keep getting message update failed. When I try to install the downloaded version get message I don't have permissions. What's up with that?

  • 1 cavab
  • 20 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by cor-el

more options

Can't install latest version of Firefox. Continue to get message "update failed". When I try to install a downloaded version get message that I don't have the proper permissions. What' up with that?

Can't install latest version of Firefox. Continue to get message "update failed". When I try to install a downloaded version get message that I don't have the proper permissions. What' up with that?

All Replies (1)

more options

If you have problems with updating or with the permissions then easiest is to download the full version and trash the currently installed version to do a clean install of the new version.

Download a new copy of the Firefox program and save the DMG file to the desktop

  • Trash the current Firefox application to do a clean (re-)install
  • Install the new version that you have downloaded

Your profile data is stored elsewhere in the Firefox Profile Folder, so you won't lose your bookmarks and other personal data.