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Updated Firefox 40.0.2 only browser that can't run speedtest.net

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I have the latest version of Adobe Flash installed. I have the latest version of Firefox installed. When I go to speedtest.net or speedtest.charter.com only on Firefox, it says I need to install Adobe flash. I uninstalled the correct 64 bit version of Adobe flash and reinstalled, like I've done for a hundred years with no issues. I check google chrome; speedtest.net works fine, no errors; I check internet explorer; speedtest.net works fine; no errors about flash. I just ran speedtest.net and speedtest.charter.net on this on Firefox 40.0.2 and it says I need to install Adobe Flash. I ran updated virus scan and malwarebyte updated full scans, no issues found.

I check addon; error Java deployment addon says known to be vunerable; I disabled. Have latest version of 32 bit java installed; I have a 64 bit windows 7 system; java installed is 32 bit. Don't know if these are problems; thought I 'd pass them along.

All other browsers working fine; can you help me troubleshoot this issue. I've always preferred Firefox as default browser.

Tried to upload a file for you to (attachment of speedtest.net error; the image uploading is just spinning. Won't upload; works in all other browsers. Please advise and thanks for your help.

Greg Hill Duluth, Ga

I have the latest version of Adobe Flash installed. I have the latest version of Firefox installed. When I go to speedtest.net or speedtest.charter.com only on Firefox, it says I need to install Adobe flash. I uninstalled the correct 64 bit version of Adobe flash and reinstalled, like I've done for a hundred years with no issues. I check google chrome; speedtest.net works fine, no errors; I check internet explorer; speedtest.net works fine; no errors about flash. I just ran speedtest.net and speedtest.charter.net on this on Firefox 40.0.2 and it says I need to install Adobe Flash. I ran updated virus scan and malwarebyte updated full scans, no issues found. I check addon; error Java deployment addon says known to be vunerable; I disabled. Have latest version of 32 bit java installed; I have a 64 bit windows 7 system; java installed is 32 bit. Don't know if these are problems; thought I 'd pass them along. All other browsers working fine; can you help me troubleshoot this issue. I've always preferred Firefox as default browser. Tried to upload a file for you to (attachment of speedtest.net error; the image uploading is just spinning. Won't upload; works in all other browsers. Please advise and thanks for your help. Greg Hill Duluth, Ga

All Replies (1)

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Firefox 40.0 and 40.0.2 are 32-bit programs, so they would use the 32-bit version of Flash. The same installer should install both, however, so you shouldn't need an additional download.

Could you check that Flash is not disabled on the Add-ons page? Either:

  • Ctrl+Shift+a
  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons

In the left column, click Plugins. Scroll to the end and check for "Shockwave Flash" and if found, change "Never Activate" to either "Always Activate" or "Ask to Activate".


If Flash is not listed, could you verify the physical presence of the plugin(s):

32-bit Firefox:

Folder: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash File: NPSWF32_18_0_0_209.dll

64-bit Firefox (only beta/developer/nightly):

Folder: C:\Windows\system32\Macromed\Flash File: NPSWF64_18_0_0_209.dll

If it is missing: open https://www.adobe.com/products/flashp.../distribution3.html and in the first table, look for the row for "plugin-based browsers" and you can use either the EXE or the MSI installer.


If that checks out:

Confirm that Firefox is scanning the registry for plugins

Firefox finds most plugins from a registry entry. Some users have the scanning turned off for some reason. Here's how to check and fix that:

(1) In a new tab, type or paste about:config in the address bar and press Enter. Click the button promising to be careful.

(2) In the search box above the list, type or paste scan and pause while the list is filtered

(3) If plugin.scan.plid.all is not set to its default value of true, double-click it to toggle it back to the default.

If you changed this setting, exit and restart Firefox to trigger another scan.

If you check the Add-ons page, Plugins section again, can you find Shockwave Flash there, either enabled or at the bottom disabled?


If Firefox is set to scan but still does not find the plugin and list it on the Add-ons page...

Remove Firefox's plugin registry file

Sometimes the pluginreg.dat file becomes corrupted. You can remove it and have Firefox re-scan for plugins.

Open your current Firefox settings (AKA Firefox profile) folder using either

  • "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Troubleshooting Information
  • Help menu > Troubleshooting Information
  • type or paste about:support in the address bar and press Enter

In the first table on the page, click the "Show Folder" button to launch a new Windows Explorer window showing your settings files.

Leaving that window open, switch back to Firefox and Exit, either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > "power" button
  • File menu > Exit

Pause while Firefox finishes its cleanup, then rename pluginreg.dat to something like pluginreg.old

Start Firefox back up again. (If you want to restore your previous non-private session, use History > Restore Previous Session.)

When you return to the Add-ons page, is Flash finally there?