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

After upgrading to Firefox 20, files are no longer being downloaded

  • 4 replies
  • 5 have this problem
  • 10 views
  • Last reply by cor-el

more options

After upgrading to Firefox 20, files are no longer being downloaded to my Windows 7 SP1 PC. In my options, I have Firefox set to "Always ask me where to save files". I do receive the dialog prompt to select a download location ... I click the Save File button ... The dialog disappears ... However, nothing is downloaded and there are no entires in the new Download Manager.

After upgrading to Firefox 20, files are no longer being downloaded to my Windows 7 SP1 PC. In my options, I have Firefox set to "Always ask me where to save files". I do receive the dialog prompt to select a download location ... I click the Save File button ... The dialog disappears ... However, nothing is downloaded and there are no entires in the new Download Manager.

All Replies (4)

more options

Goto Firefox Menu (Orange Firefox) > Preferences > Preferences > Application
Choose the application and change the "Action" to "Always Ask"

more options

Thank you for your feedback, however, if you will read the entire issue I posted you will see that the "Ask" option has already been selected.

more options

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, Open websites, and some Preferences.

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!

more options

Which security software (firewall, anti-virus) do you have?

It is possible that anti-virus software is corrupting downloaded files or is otherwise interfering with downloading files.
Try to disable the real-time (live) scanning of files in your anti-virus software temporarily to see if that makes downloading work.

See:

Try to boot the computer in Windows Safe mode with network support (press F8 on the boot screen) as a test to see if that helps.