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

failed to check for update

  • 7 replies
  • 4 have this problem
  • 95 views
  • Last reply by mike741

more options

Recently Firefox always has the error "failed to check for update". I have tried restarting my pc and running as admin. I am on windows 10.

I have been able to manually install the latest version by installing it over the top of my current install, how can I fix the error to be sure that my browser will auto update?

Thanks

Recently Firefox always has the error "failed to check for update". I have tried restarting my pc and running as admin. I am on windows 10. I have been able to manually install the latest version by installing it over the top of my current install, how can I fix the error to be sure that my browser will auto update? Thanks

Chosen solution

Are you by chance using NordVPN as it is said to be interfering with Firefox updates of late. Also some antivirus have affected Firefox updates in past.

example from /questions/1445030

"Figured it out. When NordVPN "Web Protection" is on, it fails to check for updates from the About menu as well. When "Web Protection" is off, it correctly checks for updates. I surmise that when Firefox fails to check, it assumes that I need an update and gives the original annoying message."
Read this answer in context 👍 4

All Replies (7)

more options

Chosen Solution

Are you by chance using NordVPN as it is said to be interfering with Firefox updates of late. Also some antivirus have affected Firefox updates in past.

example from /questions/1445030

"Figured it out. When NordVPN "Web Protection" is on, it fails to check for updates from the About menu as well. When "Web Protection" is off, it correctly checks for updates. I surmise that when Firefox fails to check, it assumes that I need an update and gives the original annoying message."

Modified by James

more options

James said

Are you by chance using NordVPN as it is said to be interfering with Firefox updates of late. Also some antivirus have affected Firefox updates in past. example from /questions/1445030
"Figured it out. When NordVPN "Web Protection" is on, it fails to check for updates from the About menu as well. When "Web Protection" is off, it correctly checks for updates. I surmise that when Firefox fails to check, it assumes that I need an update and gives the original annoying message."


yeah I do use nordvpn, I have managed to narrow it down to the threat protection element of it, specifically the "web protection". If I pause or disable that then the issue is resolved. Only started occuring recently.

Modified by ETERNALVOID

more options

Hi

We believe that NordVPN have fixed their Web Protection feature and you should find that if you turn this back on, the issue is now resolved.

If you find that it is still not working correctly, please let us know and we can try to follow up with NordVPN.

Thank you.

more options

Paul said

Hi We believe that NordVPN have fixed their Web Protection feature and you should find that if you turn this back on, the issue is now resolved. If you find that it is still not working correctly, please let us know and we can try to follow up with NordVPN. Thank you.

Can confirm that it does appear to check for updates correctly, even with web protection on.

Thanks

more options

I'm not using NORD or any other VPN but have the same problem - can it be addressed here or should I start a new thread please? (so far I've manually updated Thunderbird to 115.11.2 (64bit) rebooted several times, applied the fix from Norton: https://community.norton.com/en/forums/auto-update-norton-360-v2449067835-now-causes-security-exception-thunderbird

running on WIndows 10 with NAV - problem is recent in origin but I can't be exact as it's not my regular PC

thanks

more options

mike741 said

can it be addressed here or should I start a new thread please? (so far I've manually updated Thunderbird to 115.11.2 (64bit) rebooted several times, applied the fix from Norton:

Your issue is unrelated to this thread, even more so because this thread was about Firefox on Windows and you are having issues with Thunderbird.

You appear to have a ongoing thread at /questions/1448251

more options

yes, and in that thread I was advised to open a new question for the failed to check for updates question, which i'll now do under Thunderbird.