Unable to install themes or extensions: Difference between revisions

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You may not be able to install or update Firefox themes or extensions for a number of reasons, including:
You may not be able to install or update Firefox themes or extensions for a number of reasons, including:
==Not compatible==
Be sure the theme/extension is compatible with your version of Firefox. [https://addons.mozilla.org/ Mozilla Add-ons] will often have the latest, compatible versions.


== Software installation disabled==
== Software installation disabled==
In Firefox 1.0.x the option to allow web sites to install software is found under  "[[Menu differences in Windows, Linux, and Mac|Tools -> Options]] -> Web Features -> Allow web sites to install software".  Starting with Firefox 1.5, the option has been removed from the options window. The Software Installation option must be enabled to allow installation of themes, extensions and certain plugins that use the [http://developer.mozilla.org/en/docs/XPInstall XPInstall] method.  
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.


If you click a web site's "Install" link and you see a yellow message bar that says "Software installation is currently disabled. Click Edit Options... to enable it and try again.",
===Enabling software installs===
*'''Firefox 1.0''': Click  the "Edit Options" button  to open the Web Features preferences panel, place a checkmark in front of "Allow web sites to install software" and try again. 
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:
*'''Firefox 1.5''': If you previously disabled this option and then updated to Firefox 1.5, the disabled setting will be carried over. Since the option to enable software installation no longer exists in the UI, you will need to use [[about:config]]  to reset the "xpinstall.enabled"  preference to the default "true" value ([https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=310737 bug 310737]). These step-by-step instructions should fix the problem:
 
'''Firefox 1.5''': If you previously disabled this option and then updated to Firefox 1.5, the disabled setting will be carried over. Since the option to enable software installation no longer exists in the interface, you will need to:
# Type '''about:config''' in the Location Bar and hit enter.  
# Type '''about:config''' in the Location Bar and hit enter.  
# Type '''xpi'''  in the Filter box and find '''xpinstall.enabled''' in the list.  
# Type '''xpi'''  in the Filter box and find '''xpinstall.enabled''' in the list.  
# Make sure its value is set to "true" (double-click will toggle).
# Make sure its value is set to "true" (double-click will toggle).[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=310737]


Starting with '''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.
'''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.


Now that you've enabled Software Installation in general, click the "Install" link of the extension or theme again to install it.
===Allowing the site to install===
When a site that's not allowed to prompt you to install software attempt to do so, you'll receive a yellow bar that says "Firefox prevented this site (www.example.com) from asking you to install software on your computer." To allow the site to prompt:


(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 reassure, software cannot be automatically installed without first being granted permission via the "OK, Cancel" installation dialog, which has a two-second delay before you can select "OK".)
#Click the Edit Options on the yellow bar
#Click Allow
#Click Close


Note that with Firefox 1.0, updating of themes and extensions will hang indefinitely, with no user feedback, if software installation is disabled. This [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=288054 bug] is fixed since Firefox 1.5.
Then click on the install link of the extension or theme again.


==Downloaded theme or extension will not install==
==Downloaded theme or extension will not install==
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==Download Error -228==
==Download Error -228==
This error message may be caused by having the cache set to 0.  Try setting the cache to at least 1MB or, if it is already, clear the cache.  The cache settings can be found in the "Advanced -> Network"  (Firefox 2) or  "Privacy -> Cache" (Firefox 1.5 or earlier) panel of your Firefox Options/Preferences.
This error message may be caused by having the Firefox cache disabled. To re-enable:
 
If that doesn't work, 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].


[[Firewalls]] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spyware spyware] screeners may 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].
'''Firefox 1.5''': Tools -> Options -> Privacy -> Cache
'''Firefox 2.0''': Tools -> Options -> Advanced -> Network


==Invalid file hash==
Make sure the cache to at least 1MB.
If you receive the error, "Firefox could not install the file at <URL> because: Invalid file hash (possible download corruption)" when clicking an "Install Now" link at [https://addons.mozilla.org addons.mozilla.org], the problem is most likely with the addons.mozilla.org database ([https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=345505 bug 345505]).  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] or try installing at a later time.  Other possible solutions include manual installation (right-click the install link,  download the .xpi file and drag the file icon onto an open Firefox window) or  installing  from an alternate location such as the author's homepage  [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=535975].


==Allowed Sites==
[[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].
If you click a web page theme or extension "Install" link and you receive a message, "To protect your computer Firefox prevented this site <address> from installing software" that means that the site is not included in the "Allowed Sites" list for extension and themes installation (the sites ''update.mozilla.org'' and ''addons.mozilla.org'' are included in the list by default). Click the "Edit Options" button in the message bar to open the "Allowed Sites" window (the web site address will be pre-entered).  Click the "Allow" button to add the website to the "Allowed Sites" list.    In Firefox 1.5, you  have the additional option to disable the warning message for all web sites  by unchecking "Warn me when web sites try to install extensions or themes" in Options -> Content. In all cases, you will still be prompted to confirm installation of all extensions or themes.


==Not Compatible==
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].
Be sure the theme/extension is compatible with your version of Firefox. Note that [https://addons.mozilla.org/ Mozilla Update] will often have the latest, compatible versions.
   
   
==Staged-xpis folder==
==Extension not installed after restarting - Firefox 1.5==
If you get a dialog box to confirm installation but the extension isn't listed after choosing to install (or if you update an extension but it's still the previous version after restarting), exit Firefox.  Go to the Firefox [[profile folder]] (read the linked article for location) and look inside the "extensions" folder.  If you find a  '''staged-xpis''' subfolder,  delete it.  Reopen Firefox and try again [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=316808].
If you get a dialog box to confirm installation but the extension isn't listed after choosing to install (or if you update an extension but it's still the previous version after restarting), exit Firefox.  Go to the Firefox [[profile folder]] (read the linked article for location) and look inside the "extensions" folder.  If you find a  '''staged-xpis''' subfolder,  delete it.  Reopen Firefox and try again [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=316808].
==Extensions.xxx files==
'''Firefox 1.5 and later only'''
This will  fix a number of extension issues [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=396119][http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=2254743#2254743].  [[Kill application|Exit Firefox completely]], then open your Firefox [[profile folder]] and delete these three files:
: '''extensions.ini'''
: '''extensions.cache'''
: '''extensions.rdf'''
The files will be regenerated.


==JavaScript disabled==
==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.
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.


==Other extensions==
==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.
Another installed extension may interfere with the installation of new extensions.  Install the new extension in Firefox [[Safe Mode]] as a workaround.
===All-In-One Sidebar extension===
===All-In-One Sidebar extension===
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==Conflict with Windows High Contrast - Accessibility options==
==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.
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.
==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 the next time you start Firefox. [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=396119][http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=2254743#2254743]. [[Kill application|Exit Firefox completely]], then open your Firefox [[profile folder]] and delete these three files:
: '''extensions.ini'''
: '''extensions.cache'''
: '''extensions.rdf'''


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 20:55, 22 May 2007

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

Not compatible

Be sure the theme/extension is compatible with your version of Firefox. Mozilla Add-ons will often have the latest, compatible versions.

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 [1]. To re-enable:

Firefox 1.5: If you previously disabled this option and then updated to Firefox 1.5, the disabled setting will be carried over. Since the option to enable software installation no longer exists in the interface, you will need to:

  1. Type about:config in the Location Bar and hit enter.
  2. Type xpi in the Filter box and find xpinstall.enabled in the list.
  3. Make sure its value is set to "true" (double-click will toggle).[2]

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 attempt to do so, you'll receive a yellow bar that says "Firefox prevented this site (www.example.com) from asking you to install software on your computer." To allow the site to prompt:

  1. Click the Edit Options on the yellow bar
  2. Click Allow
  3. Click Close

Then click on the install link of the extension or theme again.

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. Do not try to open these files directly. 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 1.5: Tools -> Options -> Privacy -> Cache Firefox 2.0: Tools -> Options -> Advanced -> Network

Make sure the cache to at least 1MB.

Firewalls or spyware screeners may also cause this issue. If you use the CA firewall, Windows Defender, or the resident option of Spybot S&D ("Teatimer" feature), temporarily disable it to see if your system will now allow the extensions or themes to install [3].

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 [4].

Extension not installed after restarting - Firefox 1.5

If you get a dialog box to confirm installation but the extension isn't listed after choosing to install (or if you update an extension but it's still the previous version after restarting), exit Firefox. Go to the Firefox profile folder (read the linked article for location) and look inside the "extensions" folder. If you find a staged-xpis subfolder, delete it. Reopen Firefox and try again [5].

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.

All-In-One Sidebar extension

You may not be able to install new extensions if the 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 [6].

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 [7]. 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.

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 the next time you start Firefox. [8][9]. Exit Firefox completely, then open your Firefox profile folder and delete these three files:

extensions.ini
extensions.cache
extensions.rdf

See also