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.

Avatar for Username

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

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

Want to use Firefox; able to: download, set up, install, launch; then error msg: "If computer or network is protected by firewall or proxy, make sure Ff is permitted" (more below); network connection ok, firewall disabled, don't know about proxy; Help!

  • 2 replies
  • 37 have this problem
  • 3 views
  • Last reply by theatregirl

veronikac
veronikac
more options

This is the entire error message I get: Unable to connect

Firefox can't establish a connection to the server at en-us.start3.mozilla.com. 

          *   The site could be temporarily unavailable or too busy. Try again in a few
         moments.

   *   If you are unable to load any pages, check your computer's network   connection.

   *   If your computer or network is protected by a firewall or proxy, make sure that Firefox is permitted to access the Web.
This is the entire error message I get: Unable to connect Firefox can't establish a connection to the server at en-us.start3.mozilla.com. * The site could be temporarily unavailable or too busy. Try again in a few moments. * If you are unable to load any pages, check your computer's network connection. * If your computer or network is protected by a firewall or proxy, make sure that Firefox is permitted to access the Web.

All Replies (2)

the-edmeister
the-edmeister
  • Moderator
more options

You can't disable most Firewalls, all that happens is that the user interface is turned off and the actual Firewall is still working to protect you. You need to "allow" Firefox to access the internet in your Firewall settings, and that permission has to be for the currently installed version of Firefox. See this for a list of the most popular Firewall programs and specific instructions for each.
http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Firewalls

Also, check to make sure that No Proxy is selected in Tools > Options > Advanced -> Network - Connection = Settings button.

Modified by the-edmeister

theatregirl
theatregirl
more options

I have this problem too. Doesn't happen all the time, but often enough. Just when I d/l'd the newest version of FF.