What to do if yous tin't download or relieve files

This commodity describes steps to take if you are unable to download or save files using Firefox.

Note: The Refresh Firefox characteristic tin fix many bug past restoring Firefox to its default state while saving your essential data. Consider using it before going through a lengthy troubleshooting process.

Table of Contents

  • ane Bank check the Downloads panel for blocked downloads
  • 2 Clear the download history
  • 3 Choose a different download folder
  • 4 Reset the download folder
  • v Cull a valid download folder in Safari Preferences
  • 6 Delete decadent plist file
  • 7 Change file type settings
    • 7.ane Reset download deportment for all file types
  • 8 Configure Cyberspace security software
  • 9 Enable downloads blocked by Security Zone Policy
    • 9.1 Reset system Internet Security settings
  • x Other solutions

Cheque the Downloads console for blocked downloads

Firefox includes a download protection feature to protect you from malicious or potentially harmful file downloads. If Firefox has blocked an unsafe download, you volition see a warning message virtually the file in the Downloads panel, along with options for treatment the pending download. Yous tin can open up the Downloads panel to view completed and pending downloads past clicking on the Downloads button (the down arrow on your toolbar). See the articles Where to notice and manage downloaded files in Firefox and How does built-in Phishing and Malware Protection work? for more data.

Articulate the download history

Immigration the download history can fix some problems with downloading files:

  1. Click the Downloads button download icon 57, and then click . The Downloads window will open.
  2. In the Downloads window, click Clear Downloads.
  3. Close the Downloads window.

Choose a unlike download folder

Firefox may not exist able to download files if at that place is a problem with the folder in which downloaded files are saved:

  1. In the Menu bar at the elevation of the screen, click and select . Click the card button Fx57Menu and select . Click the bill of fare button Fx89menuButton and select .

  2. Select the panel.
  3. Find the Downloads department under Files and Applications.
  4. Click the Browse Choose push side by side to the Save files to entry.
  5. Cull a different download folder for saving files.
  6. Close the about:preferences page. Any changes you've fabricated will automatically exist saved.

Reset the download binder

If you accept tried the above suggestions, yous tin can restore the default Firefox download folder settings:

  1. Type almost:config in the accost bar and printing Enter Return .
    A alert folio may appear. Click Take the Risk and Continue to go to the nearly:config page.
  2. In the Search field, enter browser.download.
  3. If whatever of the following settings are in bold text, reset their values. To reset a value, click the Delete Fx71aboutconfig-DeleteButton or Reset Fx71aboutconfig-ResetButton button, depending on the preference:
    • browser.download.dir
    • browser.download.downloadDir
    • browser.download.folderList
    • browser.download.lastDir
    • browser.download.useDownloadDir
  4. If desired, you lot can revert dorsum to your preferred download folder settings in your Firefox Options Preferences Settings panel, in the Downloads department under Files and Applications.

Choose a valid download binder in Safari Preferences

If you receive the mistake <filename> could not be saved, because an unknown error occurred. , your problem might be caused by an interaction with the Safari browser and your operating system.

To fix the problem, open Safari's Preferences and change the Salve downloaded files to: setting to a valid folder (such every bit your Desktop). Then restart Firefox.

Delete corrupt plist file

If y'all receive the error <filename> could not exist saved, considering you lot cannot change the contents of that folder. Change the binder backdrop and try again, or try saving in a dissimilar location., your trouble might be acquired past corrupt plist files.

To fix this problem, get to your home directory and delete this preference file:

  • ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple tree.internetconfig.plist

Change file type settings

If downloading certain file types does non piece of work, bank check to make sure Firefox is not gear up to handle those file types differently from others. See Content types and download deportment in Firefox for instructions on how to view and alter how unlike file types are handled.

Reset download actions for all file types

To reset how all file types are handled past Firefox back to default:

  1. Open your profile binder:

    • Click the menu button Fx57menu, click , and select . From the menu, select . The Troubleshooting Data tab volition open.
    • Under the Application Basics section adjacent to Profile Folder Directory, click Open Folder Show in Finder Open Directory . A window volition open up that contains your profile folder. Your profile folder will open.
  2. Click the Firefox menu Fx57Menu and select . Click the Firefox carte du jour at the top of the screen and select . Click the Firefox carte Fx57Menu and select .
  3. Delete or rename the handlers.json file (for instance, rename it handlers.json.one-time).
  4. Restart Firefox.

Configure Internet security software

Internet security software, including firewalls, antivirus programs, anti-spyware programs, and others can block certain file downloads. Check the settings in your security software to see if there is an setting that may be blocking downloads.

To diagnose whether Internet security software is causing problems, yous tin can endeavour temporarily disabling it, seeing if downloads work, and then re-enabling the software.

Enable downloads blocked by Security Zone Policy

Downloading an executable file (e.1000., an .exe or .msi file) may fail, with the Downloads window showing Canceled under the file name.

This happens because Firefox honors your Windows security settings for downloading applications and other potentially unsafe files from the Internet. To resolve this trouble, use the solution given below.

Reset system Internet Security settings

You can reset your arrangement Net security settings in Cyberspace Explorer. Meet How to reset Internet Explorer settings at Microsoft Support for instructions.

Other solutions

You may be able to diagnose your download problem by post-obit the steps given in the Troubleshoot and diagnose Firefox problems commodity.

These fine people helped write this commodity:

AliceWyman, philipp, Tonnes, Michael Verdi, scoobidiver, Swarnava Sengupta, Mike Cooper, Wesley Branton, Lan, pollti, Joni

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