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A
Anonymous
March 24, 2011
Question

Flash player plugin will not install since Firefox upgrade.

  • March 24, 2011
  • 4 replies
  • 5382 views

Since upgrading to the latest version of Firefox, my Flash plug-in no longer works even after repeated attempts to download and install (both the manual Flash installer, and by visiting pages like Youtube which prompt installation) but nothing is working. It's a frustrating loop that gets me nowhere and I've spent hours now uninstalling Flash, uninstalling Firefox, reading through forums etc. and I am getting no help aside from some suggestions to just give up and use Chrome, which is working with Flash just as well as it ever did. I can't understand why it seems like many people are facing this issue, yet there is no apparent fix to be found. Please help is you can. Thanks.

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    4 replies

    A
    Anonymous
    March 26, 2011

    Hi, Well I found out that the FP file for FF only works for versions prior to 10.1.

    The only thing else would be to Uninstall FF 4.0, and Install the version you had prior that was working. I don't think the latest version of FP is the issue.

    The Help on FF is not really helpful. If I enter FF 4.0 not working, I get pages of FF version issues  back to 3.6.5!! Hardly anything pertaining to FF 4.0.

    I don't like experimenting so that would be the only thing I could suggest. Do you remember which FF version you had before 4.0? I did read that any 4 beta versions were installed into a separate location? I don't know if that has anything to do with the issue you're having or not. Or how that effects the released version of 4.0, if at all.

    Something to think about.

    I can't think of anything that would be blocking that Shockwave Flash plugin other than adblock or Bit Defender:

    http://forums.adobe.com/thread/601019?tstart=0

    I hope you can perhaps use an earlier version of FF, at least you wouldn't have to be concerned about all of you data/programs, etc.

    Thanks,

    eidnolb

    A
    Anonymous
    March 28, 2011

    Hi again, eidnolb.

    Thanks again for your help on this. It's definitely been frustrating. I

    ended up doing a clean uninstall/reinstall of Firefox (I just made sure to

    back up my bookmarks, but that's about it) and now Flash is working just

    fine. There must be some kind of bug that happened when I updated my

    existing version to 4.0 and since there seemed to be no way to fix the Flash

    component while keeping my existing settings a clean install seemed like the

    only solution. I'm glad it worked, although it's annoying that there wasn't

    a quicker fix for it that didn't require wiping the slate clean.

    Thanks again for everything.

    Take care.

    A
    Anonymous
    March 28, 2011

    Hi superkj, I can just imagine if I had to do that with IE. I'm sorry that you had to do that. Glad that Flash Player is working with FF, but I agree there should have been a better way.

    There are a couple of other threads that are facing the same thing. Whether they will Uninstall/Install FF is up to them. One is going with Safari and waiting on FF. How long the wait will be remains to be seen.

    As I've said, I don't use FF but don't ever Install any beta or any that has just came out. There are most always glitches and some can be severe as you've experienced.

    Thanks for reporting back what you had to do. I don't know if FF have a site for feedback on the 4.0, but they need to and make it known. Microsoft have one set up and I've given the link to a couple of threads. It's important in my opinion when releasing any major software. Solving issues during the beta period is very different than when it's in the "Real" world:-)

    Thanks for reporting back what you had to do.

    eidnolb

    A
    Anonymous
    March 24, 2011

    Thanks, I don't see the Shockwave Flash plugin either. You can try this before Uninstalling/Installing. Sometimes this test site will prompt you for the plugin. If it doesn't then do the Uninstall/Install.

    NOTE: You didn't say if you have FP Installed in IE, if so the Uninstaller will Uninstall IE also.

    http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/

    Download and SAVE to your Desktop the Uninstaller:
    http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/141/tn_14157.html

    Download and SAVE to your Desktop the Installer for FF- use the EXE Installer for plugin based

    http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/fp_distribution3.html

    Download and SAVE to your Desktop the Installer for IE- use the EXE Installer   From the same site as for FF

    Close all browser windows, you only want to be looking at your Desktop.
    Disable any messenger services, as yahoo, msn, etc in the system tray(area near the clock)

    Disable Anti-Virus until FP is Installed

    Run the Uninstaller and when finished, Reboot(restart) your computer.
    Check to make sure the Anti-Virus is still Disabled
    Run the Installer for IE, Run the Installer for FF and when finished, Reboot.

    Then go to this test site and test each browser:

    http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/

    eidnolb

    A
    Anonymous
    March 25, 2011

    Hi eidnolb,

    I followed your instructions 100% but the situation is still the same in FF. Chrome and IE are just fine. Is there some way to get the plugin file and manually load it into my FF plugins folder or something? I am at a total loss here.

    A
    Anonymous
    March 25, 2011

    Hi, So the issue remains on that Shockwave Flash plugin. I re-read your first post and it appears you Installed FF 4.0 and then had an issue. Then Uninstalled/Installed FP(Flash Player). Both of these updates involve the browser. I think what happened is a glitch occurred between the two.

    Go to C:\Windows\System32\Macromed\Flash   Open Flash and post back the files there. The NPSWF files need a right click to open and then click on Properties to obtain the version number.

    Thanks,

    eidnolb

    pwillener
    pwillener
    Legend
    March 24, 2011

    Additionally, type about:plugins into the address bar; what does it say about Shockwave Flash?

    A
    Anonymous
    March 24, 2011

    Thanks so much for your help.

    I am on Windows Vista, Firefox 4. Here is the run down from about:plugins.

    Enabled plugins

    A
    Anonymous
    March 24, 2011

    Hi, look in your FF plugins for Shockwave Flash plugin and it must be there and Enabled.

    I think Pat wanted to know also is your Vista a 32bit or a 64bit in case he needs you to check files.

    Thanks,

    eidnolb

    pwillener
    pwillener
    Legend
    March 24, 2011
    1. What is your operating system & version?
    2. What is your "latest version" of Firefox, 3.6.16 or 4.0?
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