Flash

Macromedia Flash (or just "Flash") usually refers to the Macromedia Flash Player and browser plugin needed to handle SWF web page animations and interactive content. Even though the Flash plugin is referred to as "Shockwave Flash", it should not be confused with the Shockwave plugin that handles "Shockwave for Director" content.

Security alert

Flash Player versions 8.0.22.0 and earlier contain a security flaw that can allow the execution of arbitrary code (Read the Security Bulletin.) All users should install the updated version, currently 8.0.24.0 (instructions for users who cannot upgrade to Flash Player 8 are included in the bulletin).

Installation

Download the Flash installer from the Macromedia Flash Player download page or from PluginDoc. If you cannot find a Flash Player download for your OS, find it manually on this page. See PluginDoc's Flash FAQs for details on installation.

Windows and Mac

If you can't run Flash 8 on your system (see the system requirements) you can download an updated version of Flash 7 here (Windows users should download the the "Netscape" installer for Firefox and other Mozilla browsers).

On Windows, the Flash plugin installer for Mozilla-based browsers does not add or update the Internet Explorer ActiveX control, and vice versa. You will need to install Flash separately for Internet Explorer and Mozilla-based browsers.

For undetected browsers such as zipped builds of Mozilla Suite or Firefox, either use the XPI package [1] ("Install" link at PluginDoc) or copy these two files from another Mozilla browser to the new browser's installation directory:

• NPSWF32.dll to the plugins folder
• flashplayer.xpt to the components folder (for scripting support)

Flash 8.0 on Linux

At the moment there is no Linux version of Flash Player 8.0. Adobe has indicated that there will not be a Linux release of Flash Player 8.0, however Flash Player 8.5 will have a Linux release. In the mean time, if you require Flash Player 8.0, you can try CrossOver Office.

Uninstalling Flash

Windows and Mac

An uninstaller can be downloaded to remove Flash from your system. See the following Macromedia Flash Player TechNote:

• How to uninstall the Macromedia Flash Player plug-in and ActiveX control

After downloading, make sure you completely exit your Mozilla application or other Internet browser before you run the uninstaller.

The Windows uninstaller may not remove the Flash plugin from all locations so you should search for the following files and delete, if found:

• NPSWF32.dll
• flashplayer.xpt
• GetFlash.exe
• GetFlash.exe.manifest

Linux and Solaris

Follow the uninstall instructions in the Macromedia Flash Player ReadMe for your system, linked below:

• Flash Player (Mozilla Plug-in) for Linux ReadMe
• Flash Player (Netscape Plug-in) for Solaris ReadMe

Troubleshooting

First, read PluginDoc to see if your problem is listed there.

Quicktime plugin takes over Flash

If you see a Quicktime symbol with a question mark where the Flash content should be, it means that Quicktime has taken over handling of Macromedia Flash files. Open the Quicktime Control Panel, select the Browser tab (or select "Browser Plug-in" from the drop-down menu in Quicktime 6 or earlier). Click the "Mime settings" button and uncheck "Flash media" or "Flash file" under "Miscellaneous" and restart your browser. If the problem persists, remove the file "pluginreg.dat" from the "Firefox" or "Mozilla" folder in the profile folder location. Additionally, remove any "npqt*.dll" files found in the Mozilla Suite or Firefox installation directory's plugins folder. [2].

ActiveX plugin conflict

If you have the Mozilla ActiveX plugin installed and are experiencing Flash errors, remove the file npmozax.dll from the installation directory plugins folder [3]. If the problem goes away, your Mozilla ActiveX plugin is either misconfigured or the wrong version for your browser. Check this article for details.

Flashblock conflict

If you're using Flash Player 8 and the Flashblock extension, you need Flashblock 1.3.3 or higher. [4].

If you've removed Flashblock you need to take the following code out of userChrome.css or userContent.css:

object[classid$=":D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"],
object[codebase*="swflash.cab"]
{ -moz-binding: url("chrome://flashblock/content/flash.xml#obj"); }

Adblock conflict

Flash content may not display if the Adblock extension is installed and OBJ-TABS are enabled. Disable OBJ-TABS in Adblock's options or try updating to the latest version of Adblock, or uninstall Adblock and install Adblock Plus. [5].

Amazing Media Browser

Flash content will not display if the Amazing Media Browser extension is installed, if the "Block all embedded objects" preference is set to "Yes". Change the preference setting to "No" to allow embedded media such as Flash to display.

Crashes

Many crashes are caused by older versions of Flash. Make sure you are using the latest version. If the crash still occurs with the latest version, follow Macromedia's troubleshooting advice. If this advice does not help, please report a bug to Macromedia.

Hangs

A known problem with the Flash plugin may cause Firefox or Mozilla Suite to hang after waking the computer from hibernation or standby mode. As a workaround, close the browser before placing the computer in standby/hibernation.

Memory Use

Version 8.0.24.0 of the Flash plugin has a bug that can cause it to continually consume memory while you sit on a page that has Flash content on it. [6] Until a new version of the plugin is available, workarounds are to remove the Flash plugin, block Flash content, or navigate away from pages with Flash manually.

Flash files don’t play

Some users find that Flash files will not run automatically when opened directly in the browser, but instead will cause the File Download dialog box to be displayed, asking them to choose whether to save the file or open it in a suitable application. See the Opening files using plugins article.

External Links

• Macromedia Flash Player Support Center
• Test Macromedia Shockwave and Flash Players
• PluginDoc Flash Player FAQ
• Having Problems with Flash? (MozillaZine forums)