Fix the "Could not initialize the application's security component" error message

This article is no longer maintained, so its content might be out of date.

This article deals with the causes of the message "Could not initialize the application's security component." The most likely cause is problems with files in your application's profile directory. Please check that this directory has no read/write restrictions and your hard disk is not full or close to full. It is recommended that you exit the application and fix the problem. If you continue to use this session, you might see incorrect application behaviour when accessing security features.

For information on other messages received when attempting to load websites, see Websites don't load - troubleshoot and fix error messages.

Note: The Refresh Firefox feature can fix many issues by restoring Firefox to its default state while saving your essential information. Consider using it before going through a lengthy troubleshooting process.

Hard drive space

Check your hard drive's free space.

  1. From the Windows Start menu, click "Computer" or "My Computer".
  2. Right click on Local Disk (C:)
  3. Choose Properties. A dialog will come up.
  4. Go to the General tab.
  1. Go to your Desktop.
    • Press F11
  1. Select Macintosh HD.
  2. Press command+I to display the Macintosh HD info window.
  1. Click the Places menu, and select Computer.
  2. Right-click on Filesystem.
  3. Choose Properties. A dialog will come up.
  4. Go to the Basic tab.

If it reports less than 1MB free space available, you'll need to make more room.

File permissions

Check the file permissions in your Firefox profile folder. The file named cert8.db must not be read-only.

  1. Open your profile folder:

    • Click the menu button Fx89menuButton, click Help and select More Troubleshooting Information.From the Help menu, select More Troubleshooting Information. The Troubleshooting Information tab will open.
    • Under the Application Basics section next to Profile FolderProfile Directory, click Open FolderShow in FinderOpen Directory. A window will open that contains your profile folder.Your profile folder will open.Your profile directory will open.
    Note: If Firefox displays an error after clicking Open Folder or if you are unable to open or use Firefox, follow the instructions in Finding your profile without opening Firefox.

  2. Click the Firefox menu Fx89menuButton and select Exit.Click the Firefox menu at the top of the screen and select Quit Firefox.Click the Firefox menu Fx89menuButton and select Quit.
  3. Right-click on the file named cert8.db.
  4. Choose Properties. A dialog will come up.
  5. Go to the General tab.
  6. Make sure the Read-only checkbox is not checked.
  7. Press OK.

  1. Open your profile folder:

    • Click the menu button Fx89menuButton, click Help and select More Troubleshooting Information.From the Help menu, select More Troubleshooting Information. The Troubleshooting Information tab will open.
    • Under the Application Basics section next to Profile FolderProfile Directory, click Open FolderShow in FinderOpen Directory. A window will open that contains your profile folder.Your profile folder will open.Your profile directory will open.
    Note: If Firefox displays an error after clicking Open Folder or if you are unable to open or use Firefox, follow the instructions in Finding your profile without opening Firefox.

  2. Click the Firefox menu Fx89menuButton and select Exit.Click the Firefox menu at the top of the screen and select Quit Firefox.Click the Firefox menu Fx89menuButton and select Quit.
  3. Select the file named cert8.db.
  4. Press command+I to display the cert8.db info window.
  5. Expand the Sharing & Permissions section.
  6. Make sure your Mac user account is set to Read & Write.
  7. Close the cert8.db info window.

  1. Open your profile folder:

    • Click the menu button Fx89menuButton, click Help and select More Troubleshooting Information.From the Help menu, select More Troubleshooting Information. The Troubleshooting Information tab will open.
    • Under the Application Basics section next to Profile FolderProfile Directory, click Open FolderShow in FinderOpen Directory. A window will open that contains your profile folder.Your profile folder will open.Your profile directory will open.
    Note: If Firefox displays an error after clicking Open Folder or if you are unable to open or use Firefox, follow the instructions in Finding your profile without opening Firefox.

  2. Click the Firefox menu Fx89menuButton and select Exit.Click the Firefox menu at the top of the screen and select Quit Firefox.Click the Firefox menu Fx89menuButton and select Quit.
  3. Right-click on the file named cert8.db.
  4. Choose Properties. A dialog will come up.
  5. Go to the Permissions tab.
  6. Make sure Access is set to read and write.
  7. Press Close.

Restart Firefox and the problem may be fixed.

Corrupted file

The file cert8.db in your profile folder may have become corrupted. Delete this file while Firefox is closed.

  1. Open your profile folder:

    • Click the menu button Fx89menuButton, click Help and select More Troubleshooting Information.From the Help menu, select More Troubleshooting Information. The Troubleshooting Information tab will open.
    • Under the Application Basics section next to Profile FolderProfile Directory, click Open FolderShow in FinderOpen Directory. A window will open that contains your profile folder.Your profile folder will open.Your profile directory will open.
    Note: If Firefox displays an error after clicking Open Folder or if you are unable to open or use Firefox, follow the instructions in Finding your profile without opening Firefox.

  2. Click the Firefox menu Fx89menuButton and select Exit.Click the Firefox menu at the top of the screen and select Quit Firefox.Click the Firefox menu Fx89menuButton and select Quit.
  3. Click on the file named cert8.db.
  4. Press command+Delete.
  5. Restart Firefox.
cert8.db will be recreated when you restart Firefox. This is normal.

New profile

Your settings may have become corrupted due to changes in your system or a lack of hard drive space at one point. Create a new profile with the Profile Manager. If the problem goes away, you can then move your settings to the new profile. If the problem remains, you can go back to your original profile.





Based on information from Could not initialize the applications security component (mozillaZine KB)

 

These fine people helped write this article:

AliceWyman, Chris Ilias, Tonnes, Michael Verdi, Swarnava Sengupta
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