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Why does Firefox want a reboot done to complete an update even though no update has been done?

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  • 1 inayo le ngxaki
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  • Impendulo yokugqibela ngu Marc Sances

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Every time I try to start Firefox, it gives a message that a reboot is necessary to complete a previous update (I've rebooted 3 times). I decided I would uninstall Firefox and then reinstall it. When I try to uninstall Firefox, I get the same message about rebooting, so I am unable to uninstall.

Every time I try to start Firefox, it gives a message that a reboot is necessary to complete a previous update (I've rebooted 3 times). I decided I would uninstall Firefox and then reinstall it. When I try to uninstall Firefox, I get the same message about rebooting, so I am unable to uninstall.

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Try the Firefox Safe Mode to see how it works there. The Safe Mode is a troubleshooting mode, which disables most add-ons.

(If you're not using it, switch to the Default theme.)

  • You can open the Firefox 4.0+ Safe Mode by holding the Shift key when you use the Firefox desktop or Start menu shortcut.
  • Or use the Help menu item and click on the Restart with Add-ons Disabled... menu item while Firefox is running.

Don't select anything right now, just use "Continue in Safe Mode." To exit the Firefox Safe Mode, just close Firefox and wait a few seconds before using the Firefox shortcut (without the Shift key) to open it again. If it is good in the Firefox Safe Mode, your problem is probably caused by an extension, and you need to figure out which one.

Please follow the Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems article for that.

If Firefox opens under Safe Mode, then reset Firefox. 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.

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