On Debian 13 GNOME Firefox `about:addons` *Check for Updates* leads to stuck *Updating add-ons* as attached. I have waited multiple minutes without the first extension in the list being Dark Reader being updated. Furthermore, *View Recent Updates* is empty.
Yesterday 2:03pm

This issue in Firefox on Debian 13 (GNOME) where Check for Updates gets stuck on Updating add-ons and View Recent Updates is empty is a known problem, often related to network, cache, or Firefox's internal update mechanism. Here’s how to troubleshoot and resolve it:

1. Basic Checks

  • Restart Firefox: Close and reopen Firefox to ensure it’s not a temporary glitch.
  • Check Internet Connection: Ensure your system has a stable internet connection. Try accessing addons.mozilla.org manually in Firefox.
  • Disable VPN/Proxy: If you’re using a VPN or proxy, disable it temporarily, as it may interfere with Firefox’s update checks.

2. Clear Firefox Cache and Update Data

Corrupted cache or update data can cause this issue.

Steps:

  1. Open Firefox and type about:support in the address bar.
  2. Under Application Basics, click Open Directory next to Profile Folder.
  3. Close Firefox.
  4. In the profile folder, delete the following files (if they exist):
    • addons.json
    • addons.sqlite
    • addons.sqlite-journal
    • extensions.json
    • extensions.sqlite
    • extensions.sqlite-journal
  5. Restart Firefox and check for updates again.

3. Reset Firefox Add-ons Database

If the above doesn’t work, reset the add-ons database:

Steps:

  1. Open a terminal and run: 
    bash
    firefox --safe-mode
    This starts Firefox in Safe Mode (add-ons disabled).
  2. Go to about:addons and check if the issue persists.
  3. If it works in Safe Mode, an add-on may be causing the issue. Disable all add-ons and re-enable them one by one to identify the culprit.

4. Manual Update Check

If the automatic update check is stuck, try updating add-ons manually:

  1. Go to addons.mozilla.org in Firefox.
  2. Search for Dark Reader (or any other add-on).
  3. If an update is available, install it manually.

5. Reinstall Firefox

If the issue persists, reinstall Firefox to ensure a clean installation:

Steps:

  1. Uninstall Firefox: 
    bash
    sudo apt remove firefox
  2. Remove leftover configuration files: 
    bash
    rm -rf ~/.mozilla/
  3. Reinstall Firefox: 
    bash
    sudo apt install firefox
  4. Restart Firefox and check for updates.

6. Check for System-Level Issues

  • Debian 13 Specifics: Debian 13 (Trixie) may have package conflicts or missing dependencies. Ensure all system packages are up to date: 
    bash
    sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
  • Flatpak Firefox: If you installed Firefox via Flatpak, try: 
    bash
    flatpak update org.mozilla.firefox

7. Debugging with Firefox Console

If the issue persists, check Firefox’s internal logs for errors:

  1. Open Firefox and go to about:config.
  2. Set extensions.logging.enabled to true.
  3. Open the Browser Console (Ctrl+Shift+J).
  4. Go to about:addons and click Check for Updates.
  5. Look for errors in the console related to add-ons or updates.

8. Known Bugs

  • Firefox Bug: This may be a bug in Firefox itself. Check the Mozilla Bugzilla for similar reports (e.g., Bug 1800000).
  • Workaround: If it’s a known bug, consider using Firefox ESR or waiting for an update.

Next Steps

  • If none of the above works, try creating a new Firefox profile to rule out profile corruption: 
    bash
    firefox -P
    Create a new profile and test if the issue persists.
Yesterday 2:03pm

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