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

When I download, as soon as the download is complete, it just disappears and the download window is empty.

  • 4 replies
  • 11 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by cor-el

more options

Whenever I download an updated version of software, the "Download" window opens, the progress is shown, until complete. Then the window goes blank, and the downloaded file seems to have disappeared. There is no opportunity to "Install". I am using Windows XP, and Firefox 3.6.15. This has been happening for several months. I just tried to download an update to a plug in a few minutes ago, and it happened again.

Whenever I download an updated version of software, the "Download" window opens, the progress is shown, until complete. Then the window goes blank, and the downloaded file seems to have disappeared. There is no opportunity to "Install". I am using Windows XP, and Firefox 3.6.15. This has been happening for several months. I just tried to download an update to a plug in a few minutes ago, and it happened again.

All Replies (4)

more options

Tools > Options > Privacy > History: "Remember download history"

more options

Thank you. It works!

more options

No, it doesn't.

more options

You enter Private Browsing mode if you select: Tools > Options > Privacy > History: Firefox will: "Never Remember History"

  • To see all History and Cookie settings, choose: Tools > Options > Privacy, choose the setting Firefox will: Use custom settings for history
  • Uncheck: [ ] "Permanent Private Browsing mode"

Delete the file downloads.sqlite in the Profile Folder in case there is a problem with the file See:


Start Firefox in Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode to check if one of the extensions is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox (Tools) > Add-ons > Appearance/Themes).