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

Something is downloading when I open Firefox.

  • 3 cavab
  • 17 have this problem
  • 5 views
  • Last reply by kobe

more options

When I open Firefox, I notice that the download icon flashes, indicating that something has downloaded. Nothing shows up in the download folder. This activity appears to be new. I have only noticed it recently. Besides the Firefox start page, the only other tab open upon starting is Google News.

When I open Firefox, I notice that the download icon flashes, indicating that something has downloaded. Nothing shows up in the download folder. This activity appears to be new. I have only noticed it recently. Besides the Firefox start page, the only other tab open upon starting is Google News.

Chosen solution

Hello,

The Reset Firefox feature can fix many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information.
Note: This will cause you to lose any Extensions and some Preferences.

  • Open websites will not be saved in Firefox versions lower than 25.

To Reset Firefox do the following:

  1. Go to Firefox > Help > Troubleshooting Information.
  2. Click the "Reset Firefox" button.
  3. Firefox will close and reset. After Firefox is done, it will show a window with the information that is imported. Click Finish.
  4. Firefox will open with all factory defaults applied.

Further information can be found in the Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings article.

Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!

Thank you.

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (3)

more options

Hi,

Try

Help -> restart with Add-ons disabled.

Regards Deepak Krishnan P.R

more options

Hi Deepak. Thanks for the suggestion. I tried it, but it didn't work. The downloading icon is still flashing.

Sincerely, James

more options

Seçilmiş Həll

Hello,

The Reset Firefox feature can fix many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information.
Note: This will cause you to lose any Extensions and some Preferences.

  • Open websites will not be saved in Firefox versions lower than 25.

To Reset Firefox do the following:

  1. Go to Firefox > Help > Troubleshooting Information.
  2. Click the "Reset Firefox" button.
  3. Firefox will close and reset. After Firefox is done, it will show a window with the information that is imported. Click Finish.
  4. Firefox will open with all factory defaults applied.

Further information can be found in the Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings article.

Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!

Thank you.