Quick answer
Firefox Refresh rebuilds the profile while preserving selected essential data. It removes many customisations, so use Troubleshoot Mode first and review what you will need to set up again.
Understand the problem before changing anything
Refresh is not the same as reloading a webpage or clearing a single site’s cache. It can help with profile problems, but it changes extensions and preferences. Availability and the exact flow depend on your Firefox version and profile setup.
Step-by-step checks
Test a narrower fix
Identify whether one site or every site is affected. Try Troubleshoot Mode before resetting a profile that contains important accessibility or work settings.
Record your customisations
Note required extensions, download handling, site permissions, proxy configuration and accessibility changes. Check that you can sign back into essential services.
Protect important browser data
Confirm bookmarks and any required exports are available. Treat exported passwords as sensitive files and do not send them with a support request.
Read the refresh confirmation
Use Firefox’s own troubleshooting page or Help menu. Confirm that the listed effects match what you intend before proceeding.
Rebuild selectively
After refresh, test the original fault before reinstalling extensions. Add only the ones you need and verify that the issue does not return.
What to avoid
Do not treat the Old Firefox Data folder as an automatic clean restore. Copying everything back can restore the same problematic settings; preserve it safely while checking the result.
How to verify the result
Confirm bookmarks, sign-ins and essential websites. Then restore accessibility and required organisational settings deliberately rather than assuming all preferences survived.
Separate a browser setting from a website-specific problem
Record the browser version, operating system and exact address involved. Test a second trusted page before changing broad preferences. A single site can control downloads, sign-in and page behaviour differently from the browser’s normal defaults. A work or school profile can also apply policies that a personal profile does not have.
Use the smallest useful comparison. Where relevant, compare the same address in another browser, with the same account and network. Review extensions and permissions only when they relate to the symptom. A private window changes several things at once and may not reproduce saved sessions, so treat its result as one clue rather than a complete diagnosis.
Keep bookmarks, saved work and required accessibility settings protected before a reset or profile change. Clear data for the affected site where practical instead of deleting all browsing data automatically. After changing one setting, repeat the original action and confirm the desired behaviour on another trusted page. Do not bypass a certificate warning or disable download protection merely to make a test appear successful.
Before you finish
- Browser, profile and exact URL recorded
- Same task compared on another trusted page
- Extensions or policies checked where relevant
- Saved work protected before reset actions
Common question
Will refreshing remove my extensions?
Refresh removes extensions and many customisations stored in the profile. Check Mozilla’s current list of preserved and removed data before using it.
Need help with the next step?
Tell RJ Computers the device model, exact symptom, checks already tried and whether important files are backed up. Confirm availability, assessment charges and the scope of work before arranging a visit.
Reference and version notes
Check the official instructions for your exact product version; menu names and available features can differ.
Official product documentation