Firefox has incorrectly disabled up-to-date Flash for being outdated; wants me to install an unavailable older Flash.
Just starting up a new Windows 7 (64-bit) PC today. Firefox 11 generally works fine. I used Firefox to install Flash 11.1.102.63, which is what is recommended for my system at adobe.com/software/flash/about.
YouTube works, but when I load a page with a .SWF file, what appears is "A plugin is needed to display this content. Install plugin..." and clicking it launches Firefox's Plugin Finder Service. This window assists me in installing Flash 11.1.102.62 (note the last digit), which of course fails because Adobe refuses to supply an outdated version.
Firefox's Plugin Check says: "For your safety, Firefox has disabled your outdated version of Flash. Please upgrade to the latest version. [link to adobe.com]" This is simply a matter of Firefox mistakenly thinking this Flash version is outdated. It tries to force me to install what it thinks is the current version, but that is incorrect and impossible.
Chosen solution
You are probably installing the x64 version of Flash, which won't work with Firefox since it is a 32-bit program. Download and install Flash from http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/flashplayer/current/licensing/win/install_flash_player_11_plugin_32bit.exe, and see if it works.
Read this answer in context 👍 3All Replies (7)
The plugin page shows that message automatically if it doesn't detect a Flash plugin and your system details list doesn't show the Flash plugin.
Do you see the Flash plugin on the Tools > Add-ons > Plugins page?
I see a blank grey rectangle where the movie should be.
I misunderstood you. No, I do not have the Flash plugin at all. My problem is that Firefox and Adobe are confused about which version is the correct one for me...
Firefox's Plugin Finder Service :- Attempts to assist me in installing 11.1.102.62, which fails because Adobe doesn't provide it.
helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/find-version-flash-player.html :- Lists 11.1.102.62 as the current player for Windows.
www.adobe.com/software/flash/about :- Lists 11.1.102.63 as the correct player for "Windows Firefox".
get.adobe.com/flashplayer :- Automatically provides a download of 11.1.102.63, stating that this is the one for "Windows 64-bit, English, Firefox".
Chosen Solution
You are probably installing the x64 version of Flash, which won't work with Firefox since it is a 32-bit program. Download and install Flash from http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/flashplayer/current/licensing/win/install_flash_player_11_plugin_32bit.exe, and see if it works.
Thanks! That .exe installed 11.1.102.63 correctly, which has solved my problem.
As my screenshot shows, the download I was using before was claimed to be compatible with Firefox on a 64b system, so the cause may be Adobe's failure to produce a functional multi-architecture product.
I have uninstalled the 64-bit and installed 32-bit version of Flash but still the problem exists.
BTW, the 64-bit version of Flash includes both 32 and 64 bit versions. So this could not be the problem. Please advise.
Modified by hardwarecrazy
hardwarecrazy,
You wrote, I have uninstalled the 64-bit and installed 32-bit version of Flash but still the problem exists. BTW, the 64-bit version of Flash includes both 32 and 64 bit versions. So this could not be the problem. Please advise.
You're right that Adobe's 64-bit Flash installers include both 32 and 64-bit Flash versions. Ref: http://forums.adobe.com/thread/909550
There are two separate installers, one for IE and another for Firefox (I installed both on my 64-bit Windows 7 computer). Here are the download links I used, for the latest versions (currently 11.1.102.63):
- Direct link to current 64-bit plugin version (for Firefox) http://fpdownload.adobe.com/get/flashplayer/current/install_flash_player_64bit.exe
- Direct link to current 64-bit ax version (for IE) http://fpdownload.adobe.com/get/flashplayer/current/install_flash_player_ax_64bit.exe
(The above links are from Adobe's Installation problems help page, HERE.)
If you need more help, you should ask a new question since this one is solved.
Modified by AliceWyman