View source for Unable to install themes or extensions

''This article was written for Firefox but also largely applies to SeaMonkey 2, and in some measure to Thunderbird and Sunbird.''

You may not be able to install or update Firefox themes or extensions for a number of reasons, including:

==Not compatible==
{{right-pic|Incompatibleextension.png}}
Extensions and themes are designed to work with certain Firefox versions. Attempts to install incompatible extensions will result in an error alert saying,  ''"<Extension Name> could not be installed because it is not compatible with Firefox <x.x.x.x>. (<Extension name> will only work with Firefox <x.x.x.x>)"''.  

Advanced users  can disable extension compatibility checking in Firefox 2 and above by adding the boolean preference [[extensions.checkCompatibility]] and setting it to '''false'''.  Use with caution.  [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=330895]

{{right-pic|Ff_ext_forced_marking.png}}
Extensions that have been installed by turning off compatibility testing  with  [[extensions.checkCompatibility]] set to '''false''' are clearly marked in the Add-On listing with a white exclamation point on a red background overlaying the lower left corner of the icon associated with the add-on.

==Incorrect user agent==
Your browser [[General concepts#User agent|user agent]] may be incorrect, causing the add-ons site to report that the extension is for an older version of Firefox or that you must upgrade Firefox to use the add-on.  [https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Websites+or+add-ons+incorrectly+report+incompatible+browser].  If you are using an add-on such as User Agent Switcher,  restore the default user agent (or restart Firefox).  Otherwise,  open  [[about:config]] and enter '''general.useragent''' in the filter box.  If any of the '''general.useragent''' preferences are shown as '''user set''' (they will be in bold type),  open the context (right-click) menu and select "Reset" to restore the default setting.  Note that some extensions, including MegaUpload Toolbar and Microsoft .NET Framework Assistant, add an extra user agent string.  [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=704525&p=3635755] [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=5604525#p5604525]  
 
== Software installation disabled==
Websites are only allowed to prompt you to install an extension or theme if you have the functionality enabled and if you have allowed that specific site to do it.

===Enabling software installs===
Some users may have disabled the software installation option based on security issues which have since been resolved [http://www.mozilla.org/security/announce/mfsa2005-42.html].  To re-enable:

{{right-pic|Firefoxxpinstalldisabled.png}}'''Firefox 2''':  The yellow message bar says, "Software installation is currently disabled. Click Enable and try again".  Just click the Enable button on the right side of the message bar.

===Allowing the site to install===
When a site that's not allowed to prompt you to install software attempts to do so, you'll receive a yellow bar that says:<br>
"Firefox prevented this site (www.example.com) from asking you to install software on your computer."<br> 
[[Image:Firefoxpreventsinstallation.png]]

To allow the site to prompt:
*'''Firefox 2''':
#Click the Edit Options button on the yellow bar, as shown above. 
#Click Allow
#Click Close
#Click on the install link of the extension or theme again.

*'''Firefox 3:''' Click the Allow button on the yellow bar.

==Unsecured updating==
'''Firefox 3 and above:'''  Starting in Firefox 3,  if an add-on does not provide a secure method of auto-updating then, by default, Firefox will refuse to install the add-on.  If you have add-ons already installed that are insecure in this way, they will be automatically disabled.  [http://www.oxymoronical.com/blog/2007/09/Add-on-Security-Restrictions-Landed]   Add-ons from [https://addons.mozilla.org AMO] and other secured sites are not a problem; for add-ons that do provide a secure updating method, advanced users can add the preference [[extensions.checkUpdateSecurity]] and set  it to '''false'''  (not recommended).   See  [http://developer.mozilla.org/en/docs/Extension_Versioning%2C_Update_and_Compatibility#Securing_Updates this article] and [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=378216 bug 378216] for more information.

==Downloaded theme or extension will not install==
Some web sites offer the option to download a theme or extension instead of installing it.  The downloaded file will have a ".jar" or ".xpi" extension.  <u>Do not try to open these files directly</u>.   After the download is complete,  drag the downloaded .jar or .xpi file icon from the desktop (or other location) and drop it onto an open Firefox "Add-ons" window ("Extensions" or "Themes" window in Firefox 1.5 and earlier).  

Note that the installation may fail with no user feedback if software installation is disabled (see above).

==Download Error -228==
This error message may be caused by having the Firefox cache disabled. To re-enable:
*'''Firefox 2 and above''': [[Menu differences in Windows, Linux, and Mac|Tools -> Options]] -> Advanced -> Network
*'''Firefox 1.5''': Tools -> Options -> Privacy -> Cache
Make sure the cache is at least 1 MB (50 MB is the default setting).

On Linux, this error can be caused by IPv6. To disable IPv6, go to [[about:config]] and find the preference [[network.dns.disableIPv6]], then right-click on it and toggle it to '''true'''.  This change will require a restart of Firefox.

On Mac OS, this error can occur if the  ''~/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems'' folder is not writable.  To change the permissions, control click (right-click) on the "TemporaryItems" folder, choose  Get Info and, under Sharing and Permissions, change your user permissions to Read & Write.  This problem can be caused by a bug in the [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/4001 WASP] extension, which is now fixed in the current version.  [http://blog.immeria.net/2009/02/wasp-v109-important-upgrade-for-mac.html]

[[Firewalls]] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spyware spyware] screeners may also cause this issue. If you use the [http://www.ca.com/ CA] firewall,  [http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/about/overview.mspx Windows Defender], or the resident option of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spybot_-_Search_%26_Destroy Spybot S&D] ([http://www.safer-networking.org/en/faq/33.html "Teatimer" feature]), temporarily disable it to see if your system will now allow the extensions or themes to install [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=479755].

Failing that, a workaround is to right-click the download link, select  "Save Link As..." and download the .xpi or .jar file to your computer.  You can then manually install it by dragging the file icon onto an open Firefox window [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=2624742#2624742].

Note: The ''Download Error -228'' message may also be seen if the required .xpi or .jar file is not actually present on the server site. You can simply try again at a later time or check other download links on both the same site and a different site, before assuming that your own setup is at fault.  [http://groups.google.com/group/alt.fan.mozilla/browse_thread/thread/a4e739ac87617817/72e4fcf7196e245c]

Another solution is disabling Network Monitor Driver. 
On Windows XP go to Control Panel, Network Connections, Right click your connection, Properties, uncheck network monitor driver, hit ok.

==Invalid file hash==
If you receive the error, ''Firefox could not install the file at <URL> because: Invalid file hash (possible download corruption)'' when clicking an "Install" link, try the following:
* Reload the page or clear the Firefox cache: "[[Menu differences in Windows, Linux, and Mac|Tools -> Options]] -> Advanced -> Network / Cache -> Clear Now" (Firefox 2)  or "Tools -> Options -> Privacy -> Cache -> Clear" (Firefox 1.5), then try again. [http://groups.google.com/group/Nektra-CookiePie/browse_thread/thread/df2e23d4a18c3369/440e7967a2799c10] 
* If installing from [https://addons.mozilla.org addons.mozilla.org (AMO)], the problem could be with the addons.mozilla.org database ([https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=345505 bug 345505]) or a broken mirror site ([https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=420278 bug 420278]).  Try restarting Firefox to see if the extension or theme was installed despite the error [http://groups.google.com/group/mozilla.support.firefox/browse_thread/thread/58b5cfa629ff5861/7b61a531c757c1e1].  You could also try installing at a later time or from an alternate location such as the author's homepage  [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=535975].
* Manually install the extension  (right-click the install link -> "Save Link As"-> save the .jar or .xpi file, then drag the file icon onto an open Firefox window).  Note: If a manual install also fails, an antivirus (or other software that monitors downloads) may be corrupting the file.   You could try saving the  file on another computer,  then copy it over and manually install it on the problem computer.  [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=570658]
Note: This error can also occur when installing an "experimental" extension from AMO.  See [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=425483 this bug report]  for details.

==Corrupt extension files==
Files that store information about the extensions you have installed can sometimes be corrupted. Deleting them can fix a number of extension issues; they will be regenerated, as needed,  the next time you start Firefox. [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=396119] [https://support.mozilla.org/questions/931019] [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=2507927]

[[Kill application|Exit Firefox completely]], then open your [[Profile folder - Firefox| Firefox profile folder]] (read the linked article for its location) and delete or rename these files (the specific extensions.*  files you find depends on your Firefox version):

:'''extensions.cache'''
:'''extensions.rdf'''
:'''extensions.ini''' 
:'''extensions.sqlite'''
:'''extensions.sqlite-journal''' (if found)
:'''extensions.json'''

You may also need to delete or rename the '''compatibility.ini''' file, to rebuild some other files in the profile folder. 

'''Note:'''  Although the above files can be deleted, renaming them (e.g.,  "extensions'''OLD'''.ini",  "extensions'''OLD'''.sqlite", etc.)  is generally considered a safer option. This achieves the same result, but allows the user to retrieve any possibly required information from them later on.

==Unexpected installation error -203==
Installing themes or extensions may fail  with the message, ''Unexpected installation error -203''.  (If this occurs after a [[Software Update]] you may find that add-ons that were previously installed also do not work.)  Follow the  [[#Corrupt_extension_files|above directions]] to remove corrupt extension files.  [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=627172]
If the problem is not resolved and you use ZoneAlarm or CA Firewall,  disable it  temporarily (enable Windows Firewall in the interim) to allow the installation. [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=3204129#3204129]  If the problem persists,  your profile may be corrupt ([https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=361358 bug 361358]).  Use the [[Profile Manager]] to create a new profile  [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=627824] or [[creating a new default profile|create a new default profile]] [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=627499]  and then [[Transferring data to a new profile - Firefox|transfer your data to the newly-created profile]].

==JavaScript disabled==
If you click a web page "Install" link and nothing happens, make sure that [[JavaScript]] is enabled in your Firefox options and that another installed extension isn't blocking JavaScript.

==Conflicts with other extensions==
Another installed extension may interfere with the installation of new extensions.  Install the new extension in Firefox [[Safe Mode]] as a workaround.

There is an add-on that aids in discovering conflicting extensions: [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/extension-conflict-troubleshoo/ Extension Conflict Troubleshooter for Firefox] can be installed from AMO.
===All-In-One Sidebar extension===
You may not be able to install new extensions if the [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/1027/ All-In-One Sidebar] extension is installed.  Uninstall and reinstall the latest version of this extension and disable the opening of the extensions window in the sidebar [http://firefox.exxile.net/aios/knownissues.php?PHPSESSID=b4c3c35f9b09c34b0a25129dcfce6de7].

==Conflict with Windows High Contrast - Accessibility options==
It seems if you are using Windows Accessibility options to adjust your Display to a High Contrast resolution, you may not be able to activate your themes [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=328812].  To work around this, you should be able to deactivate the High Contrast, install the theme, select the theme, restart Firefox and then reactivate the High Contrast.

==See also==
*[[Updating add-ons]]
*[[Installing extensions]]
*[[Problematic extensions]]


[[Category:Installation and update (Firefox)]]
[[Category:Issues (Firefox)]]
[[Category:Extensions (Firefox)]]
[[Category:SeaMonkey]]