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Can't update Shockwave Flash plugin

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  • 329 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by peskymange

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I'm only updating Shockwave Flash because the plugin page says to do it; otherwise I have no problems. The sequence of updating problems I am having is different from that described by others: 1) Checked for plugin updates: Shockwave Flash 11.1 r102 was highlighted as "Vulnerable" with red UPDATE NOW. 2) Clicked on Update Now and was prompted to download Adobe Flash Player 11.1.102.62 (not Shockwave Flash); Ran downloaded .exe file to install; Closed Firefox during install as requested and installation completed. 3) Opened Firefox; Checked plugins and now saw notice that Flash Player version was out-of-date and disabled. 4) As test, played a youtube video; Clicked on prompt at top of screen for "missing plugin"; Update self-executed, requested closing Firefox, and completed installation. 4) Opened Firefox; Checked plugins and once again saw that Shockwave Flash needed UPDATE NOW (as described in #1 above). Adobe Flash Player is not listed anywhere in the plugin list. So now I'm back to where I was before, wondering if I really am vulnerable due to this version of Shockwave Flash.

I'm only updating Shockwave Flash because the plugin page says to do it; otherwise I have no problems. The sequence of updating problems I am having is different from that described by others: 1) Checked for plugin updates: Shockwave Flash 11.1 r102 was highlighted as "Vulnerable" with red UPDATE NOW. 2) Clicked on Update Now and was prompted to download Adobe Flash Player 11.1.102.62 (not Shockwave Flash); Ran downloaded .exe file to install; Closed Firefox during install as requested and installation completed. 3) Opened Firefox; Checked plugins and now saw notice that Flash Player version was out-of-date and disabled. 4) As test, played a youtube video; Clicked on prompt at top of screen for "missing plugin"; Update self-executed, requested closing Firefox, and completed installation. 4) Opened Firefox; Checked plugins and once again saw that Shockwave Flash needed UPDATE NOW (as described in #1 above). Adobe Flash Player is not listed anywhere in the plugin list. So now I'm back to where I was before, wondering if I really am vulnerable due to this version of Shockwave Flash.

Chosen solution

Obviously, some confusion.

Ebelle said: "Downloaded from your link (64-bit version)..."

To clarify: To determine which version is installed in Firefox, use only Firefox when going to the Plugin Check page or the Adobe "about" page. I have experienced a few cases in which the computer had to be restarted after installing the new version of Flash for that new version to be recognized.

If the information immediately above in this reply does not work for you, you may need to uninstall Flash completely from your system and start fresh with installing Flash again. Note in the article below that there are 2 uninstallers, one for 32-bit and one for 64-bit; download and run both. Then, follow the instructions in my original reply above to reinstall and test Flash.

Sorry that you are having problems with the Flash installation, but many users on 64-bit systems have been experiencing problems with the new combined 32-bit/64-bit installer from Adobe.


If this reply solves your problem, please click "Solved It" next to this reply when signed-in to the forum.

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Note: Adobe Flashplayer (aka Flash) shows in Add-ons > Plugins as "Shockwave Flash (version)", a bit of confusion caused by Adobe.

There are 2 versions of Adobe Flash:

  • an ActiveX version for IE only
  • a Plugin version for most other browsers including Firefox
  • On a Windows system, you should always update both individually.

You have the Plugin version for Firefox installed, but the last two digits do not show. In Add-ons > Plugins you should see "Shockwave Flash (version)". You can test and see the full version at Step 4, below.

Check your Plugins often --> http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/plugincheck/

  • only the most popular/used Plugins are known by this page
  • page will detect only installed, enabled Plugins

Install or update Adobe Flash

  1. Using Firefox, go to the following link and SAVE the download to your desktop so you can find it later. Un-check any items on that page that you do not want to download (i.e., "McAfee Security Scan Plus":
  2. When the download is finished, close Firefox (File > Exit OR Firefox button > Exit)
  3. Click or double-click on the file you just saved to your desktop
    • In the installation window that appears, click the box to the left of "I have read and...." to place a check mark in the box
    • The "Install" button in the lower right corner will now be highlighted, click it.
    • The installation is quick.
  4. Start Firefox and test your installation here: https://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/
  5. To update/install the ActiveX version for IE only, repeat the process, but use IE to go to the above website.

NOTE: Some users of 64-bit systems have found it necessary to download, Save and install (with Firefox closed) the 32-bit Plugin for Firefox manually from the following (4th link labeled "32 bit Flash Player Plug-in (All other browsers)"):


If this reply solves your problem, please click "Solved It" next to this reply when signed-in to the forum.

Modified by SafeBrowser

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SafeBrowser - Thanks for the complete response, but still having problems.

Downloaded from your link (64-bit version); closed Firefox; selected .exe file (there was no "have you read box", just a prompt to authorize installation on computer); part-way thru install, there was a prompt to close Firefox (which I confirmed via Task Manager was already closed). Had to force close the install.

At this point, confusing results about what version is on computer:

Via Control Panel, there are 2 different Adobe Flash programs: 1) Adobe Flash Player 11 Plugin (version 11.1.102.62) 2) Adobe Flash Player 11 Plugin 64-bit (version 11.1.102.62)

Via http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/plugincheck/: It still says update is needed with current "Shockwave Flash 11.1 r102"

Via https://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/: It says "You have version 11,1,102,55 installed"

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Seçilmiş Həll

Obviously, some confusion.

Ebelle said: "Downloaded from your link (64-bit version)..."

To clarify: To determine which version is installed in Firefox, use only Firefox when going to the Plugin Check page or the Adobe "about" page. I have experienced a few cases in which the computer had to be restarted after installing the new version of Flash for that new version to be recognized.

If the information immediately above in this reply does not work for you, you may need to uninstall Flash completely from your system and start fresh with installing Flash again. Note in the article below that there are 2 uninstallers, one for 32-bit and one for 64-bit; download and run both. Then, follow the instructions in my original reply above to reinstall and test Flash.

Sorry that you are having problems with the Flash installation, but many users on 64-bit systems have been experiencing problems with the new combined 32-bit/64-bit installer from Adobe.


If this reply solves your problem, please click "Solved It" next to this reply when signed-in to the forum.

Modified by SafeBrowser

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Hurrah! Successfully updated. Uninstalled all versions of Flash first, then used your link above, and restarted computer both after downloading .exe file (download process insisted Firefox was still needed to be closed) and installing Flash.

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Firefox / Tools / Add-ons listed 2 Adobe Flash Player in my Firefox... 1 is updated (11.3.300.257) and the other outdated (9.0.45.0). If I run the update, nothing changes. Well, I have found the solution: I deleted npswf32.dll (2007) in \Windows\SysWow64. This file was outdated. All is fine now.

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I had this problem too, and it took several hours of troubleshooting before I found a good tip:

PLUGIN PROBLEMS IN FIREFOX? See: http://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-issues-with-plugins-fix-problems

It seems so obvious now to look in Mozilla support.

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i had a similar problem. if you have steam games you might have to "exit". you do this by right clicking the icon for steam at bottom of your desktop then press exit button. i also had to uninstall ad-block plus.i know those two are not expected to conflict with an update to Flash but nothing else worked. i think having an updated version of Java is necessary as well. try those before anything else 'cuz it is easy!consider going back to the Mozilla default state also easy! or just reinstall Mozilla. i worked on this prob for hours before i tried those and success! Remember that older Flash might need removing and won't go unless you turn off that other stuff.hope this helps !!