This is apparently a widely reported problem. I have do not use Google toolbar, I do not know if using the compatability addon resolves the issue, it is worth a try (use it and report back - if it does not work a solution will be found I am sure firefox does not intend google toolbar to be unuseable [not even sure is google toolbar an add on or a plugin] ). If not then the recommended solution would be to temporarily downgrade to firefox3.6. (there are methods to downgrade to firefox4, but that is not officially recommended as it is no longer supported)

See also

• installing a previous version of firefox
• https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/add-on-compatibility-reporter/
• /questions/840397

edit this blog confirms the above add-on resolves the issue

Thanks John. I was thinking about downgrading yet, I'll try some of your other potential solutions first. Thank you for your time and input.

Revvell

Hi Revvell,
I have just edited the post, and it crossed with your own. If installing the add-on solves the problem would you please come back and

1. log in
2. mark the post as helpful

That results in the thread being marked solved, and should help others looking for a solution.

Will do. Thanks John.

Ahhh, all add-ons say ~ Not available for Firefox 5.0. :(

On Facebook people are complaining about the upgrade and losing add-ons.

Did you try to install the add-on compatability checker ?
using the link above which I will repeat: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/add-on-compatibility-reporter/

• did it download and instal for you ok ?
• does it run as expected ?
• your initial question is relating to google toolbar does it resolve that issue ?

I have just tried that myself it downloaded and installed no problems, I am however on firefox 6.0a2, I will try on Firefox 5 in a few minutes.

Bingo!!! That worked!!! Thanks John!!!!

Great, hope you spread the news that there is a workaround for some of these problems.

I did! Posted it on Mozilla Firefox on FaceBook. Thanks again!

I do not understand how installing the compatibilty reporter is supposed to reinstall Gtoolbar???? Anyway, I did install the compat report and restarted and restarted and restarted FF, but toolbar still missing!!!!!

I don't understand it either but, for some reason, it worked for me!

I don't understand how electricity works either.

Lorraine,
the compatibility reporter add-on does not reinstall the Google toolbar. If you have uninstalled it then you will have to re-install it.

What it does do is two things

1. it enables a disabled add on such as Google toolbar
2. it lets you have the opportunity to attempt to use the add on, and to report the results to the add-on developer
   • in the case of Firefox 5 and the current Google toolbar, it appears from others experience that the Google toolbar does continue to work as intended with Firefox 5 once it is re-enabled.
   • presumably in the near future the Google toolbar will be modified (possibly with a revision number or version change) so that it will work with Firefox 5 and later without the need to run the compatibility reporter.