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"Connecting to the update server..." hangs

  • 3 replies
  • 22 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by John99

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When Firefox prompts me to update and I accept, I get a window saying "Connecting to the update server...", but nothing more happens. Moreover, the "Hide" button doesn't work.

This problem has been reported many times before, and each time, the proposed solution is to download and reinstall manually. That works only to give me the new version, but not to solve the updater problem - I've now had this problem for several consecutive versions and installations.

When Firefox prompts me to update and I accept, I get a window saying "Connecting to the update server...", but nothing more happens. Moreover, the "Hide" button doesn't work. This problem has been reported many times before, and each time, the proposed solution is to download and reinstall manually. That works only to give me the new version, but not to solve the updater problem - I've now had this problem for several consecutive versions and installations.

All Replies (3)

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Today is a bad time to try. Firefox is changing from Firefox 10.0.2 to Firefox 11 but there have been problems and updates were turned on and then off again. Try again in a weeks time the problems will have been sorted out by then and it should make it easier to troubleshoot your problem then.

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Thank you for your reply John. Is today a better time to try? Firefox has prompted me both yesterday and today to update to 11, but the problem remains.

I would guess there's something on my computer outside of the Firefox installation that causes the problem, since it remains even after uninstalling/reinstalling. Could I try deleting some files or folders somewhere before reinstalling? Preferably without removing my settings, passwords etc.

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If you backup your profile, including all sub files and folders that ensures you can keep or recreate bookmarks and passwords etc. Put the backup somewhere safe outside the Firefox program or profile paths, (on the Windows 7 desktop is suitable). See

Try creating and using a new profile, and see if it will update properly from that.

If that fails then try a clean install after deleting the contents of the firefox program folder as explained in