Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

When I try to download Flashplayer it won't initialize. I have tried it several times from the Adobe website and also from Firefox when I am trying to play farmville or Hidden Chronicles on Facebook.

  • 3 replies
  • 11 have this problem
  • 11 views
  • Last reply by SafeBrowser

more options

When I downloaded Firefox this morning and tried to play games on Facebook, the page would not come up. It said I needed to download the latest version of Flashplayer. I tried this and it would not initialize. Then I checked Help and it said to uninstall the version I had, which I did, and then reinstall. Now it will not install. I can play these games on Internet Explorer but I have issues with some pages not loading on Google Chrome. I have the pages I need on Firefox to receive my gifts but I cannot play the games. Please help?

When I downloaded Firefox this morning and tried to play games on Facebook, the page would not come up. It said I needed to download the latest version of Flashplayer. I tried this and it would not initialize. Then I checked Help and it said to uninstall the version I had, which I did, and then reinstall. Now it will not install. I can play these games on Internet Explorer but I have issues with some pages not loading on Google Chrome. I have the pages I need on Firefox to receive my gifts but I cannot play the games. Please help?

Chosen solution

There are 2 versions of Adobe Flash:

  • an ActiveX version for IE only
  • a Plugin version for most other browsers including Firefox
  • On a Windows system, you should always update both individually.

You do not appear to have the Plugin version for Firefox installed. If you did, in Add-ons > Plugins you would see "Shockwave Flash (version)". If "Shockwave Flash" is there and is disabled, click the "Enable" button. NOTE: Do not confuse with "Adobe Shockwave for Director" as that is a separate, older but still used, application from Adobe that is still used.

Check your Plugins often --> http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/plugincheck/

  • only the most popular/used Plugins are known by this page
  • page will detect only installed, enabled Plugins

Install or update Adobe Flash

  1. Using Firefox, go to the following link and SAVE the download to your desktop so you can find it later. Un-check any items on that page that you do not want to download (i.e., "McAfee Security Scan Plus":
  2. When the download is finished, close Firefox (File > Exit OR Firefox button > Exit)
  3. Click or double-click on the file you just saved to your desktop
    • In the installation window that appears, click the box to the left of "I have read and...." to place a check mark in the box
    • The "Install" button in the lower right corner will now be highlighted, click it.
    • The installation is quick.
  4. Start Firefox and test your installation here: https://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/
  5. To update/install the ActiveX version for IE only, repeat the process, but use IE to go to the above website.


NOTE: Some users of 64-bit systems have found it necessary to download, Save and install (with Firefox closed) the 32-bit Plugin for Firefox manually from the following (4th link labeled "32 bit Flash Player Plug-in (All other browsers)"):


If this reply solves your problem, please click "Solved It" next to this reply when signed-in to the forum.



Not related to your question, but...

You may need to update some plug-ins. Check your plug-ins and update as necessary:

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (3)

more options

Chosen Solution

There are 2 versions of Adobe Flash:

  • an ActiveX version for IE only
  • a Plugin version for most other browsers including Firefox
  • On a Windows system, you should always update both individually.

You do not appear to have the Plugin version for Firefox installed. If you did, in Add-ons > Plugins you would see "Shockwave Flash (version)". If "Shockwave Flash" is there and is disabled, click the "Enable" button. NOTE: Do not confuse with "Adobe Shockwave for Director" as that is a separate, older but still used, application from Adobe that is still used.

Check your Plugins often --> http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/plugincheck/

  • only the most popular/used Plugins are known by this page
  • page will detect only installed, enabled Plugins

Install or update Adobe Flash

  1. Using Firefox, go to the following link and SAVE the download to your desktop so you can find it later. Un-check any items on that page that you do not want to download (i.e., "McAfee Security Scan Plus":
  2. When the download is finished, close Firefox (File > Exit OR Firefox button > Exit)
  3. Click or double-click on the file you just saved to your desktop
    • In the installation window that appears, click the box to the left of "I have read and...." to place a check mark in the box
    • The "Install" button in the lower right corner will now be highlighted, click it.
    • The installation is quick.
  4. Start Firefox and test your installation here: https://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/
  5. To update/install the ActiveX version for IE only, repeat the process, but use IE to go to the above website.


NOTE: Some users of 64-bit systems have found it necessary to download, Save and install (with Firefox closed) the 32-bit Plugin for Firefox manually from the following (4th link labeled "32 bit Flash Player Plug-in (All other browsers)"):


If this reply solves your problem, please click "Solved It" next to this reply when signed-in to the forum.



Not related to your question, but...

You may need to update some plug-ins. Check your plug-ins and update as necessary:

more options

Thanks, I had to download the way you said for 64 bit using the 32 bit thing. My Firefox now works. Now if I can just get it to work with Google Chrome...

more options

You are welcome. Glad I could help.

This forum is for Firefox only. You will need to post your question concerning the other browser on their forum to find how to update the built-in Flash player for that browser: https://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Chrome