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How does Firefox auto update works?

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I am little confused as to how does Firefox auto update works?

So, lately, Firefox had a bug in 38.x version - so they recommended to update to the latest version.

I had auto update turned on, so I thought it would auto update automatically. So, I click on Help > About Firefox, it was still 38.x

However, after I clicked on the About Firefox, it started downloading the updates, and prompted to restart the Firefox to install them.

I replicated it on a different machine (with auto updates turned on) and same result.

So, I am wondering if I have to trigger the download manually, how does really auto update works. Or am I missing something.

Note: New version was released about 2 days ago, so it wasn't right away I checked the download.

I am little confused as to how does Firefox auto update works? So, lately, Firefox had a bug in 38.x version - so they recommended to update to the latest version. I had auto update turned on, so I thought it would auto update automatically. So, I click on Help > About Firefox, it was still 38.x However, after I clicked on the About Firefox, it started downloading the updates, and prompted to restart the Firefox to install them. I replicated it on a different machine (with auto updates turned on) and same result. So, I am wondering if I have to trigger the download manually, how does really auto update works. Or am I missing something. Note: New version was released about 2 days ago, so it wasn't right away I checked the download.

All Replies (4)

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hello, could you go to the firefox menu ≡ > help ? > troubleshooting information, copy the contents of that page and paste them here into a reply on the forum? this might give us a clue what is going on...

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Sometimes the update is sent out one area at a time. Not all at once.

Also, but rarely, the program can't update itself. In this case, just Download Firefox Full Installer For All languages And Systemsv40 {web link}

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FredMcD and philipp

Does ESR versoin of Firefox play anyrole here? Update channel is set to 'releaes' instea dof 'esr'.

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Posts: 2615 Joined: April 23rd, 2003, 11:47 am

Posted April 21st, 2009, 11:07 am

Go to about:config and make sure these preferences are set to true (double-click to toggle):

app.update.enabled app.update.auto

They should be, if you have Firefox set to automatically update, but you never know.

More on the check for updates process: https://wiki.mozilla.org/Software_Update:Checking_For_Updates