How to Report Bugs in Firefox

While browsing the Web with the Firefox Internet browser, you might encounter oddities or hiccups with the software. These can usually be dubbed 'bugs' and are a fairly common problem (especially when you're working with a newly released version of a browser). In order to report bugs in Firefox, you need to follow a step-by-step process to ensure the bug is dealt with in a timely manner.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access

Instructions

Decide Whether the Bug Should be Reported

1. Visit the Mozilla Web page on Firefox bugs (see Resources below). Click on 'Use the Latest Nightly Build of Firefox with a New Profile,' item number 1 in Mozilla's list of 4 steps.

2. Read through the information under this subject heading, and then click 'Latest Nightly Build.' Follow the Web site's directions for installation and new profile creation. The goal here is to try and recreate the bug and help the engineers figure out just what went wrong.

3. Read Mozilla's step number 2 to help them isolate where the bug is occurring--in Firefox-specific code or Mozilla core code. Component lists for the 3 possibilities (Firefox, Toolkit and Core) are available by clicking the links with the same name.

4. Check Mozilla's list of previously filed bugs. Click on the link that corresponds to the part of Firefox you're having problems with.

5. Read Mozilla's Bug Writing Guidelines before you submit a bug report.

Report a Bug in Firefox

1. Click on the link 'File The Bug Report' in the last section of the page you've been looking at. You'll need to register an account with the Bugzilla database before you can submit the bug report.

2. Skip the first step, which asks if you'd like to search for the bug. Complete the remaining steps to complete the bug reporting process.

Tips & Warnings

• Visit the Firefox download page to make sure you've got the most up-to-date version of the software (see Resources below).

• Check your computer to see if it has the minimum system requirements for Firefox. Windows users must be running Windows 98 or higher, have 50 MB of free disk space, a 233 Mhz processor and 64 MB of RAM. Mac owners need a 233 Mhz processor, 64 MB of RAM, 50 MB of free disk space and must have Mac OS X 10.2 or higher. Linux system users need Linux kernel 2.2.14, a 233 Mhz processor, 64 MB of RAM and 50 MB of free disk space.

• Using the Firefox browser is going to keep you secure from many online entities trying to gather your personal information. Firefox has the ability to detect forged sites so you won't be caught unaware.

• Gather as much information as you need about how to use Firefox properly by visiting the Firefox support page (see Resources below).

• Keep in mind that the following steps were only intended for version 2.0.0.2 of the Firefox browser. These steps may not apply to older versions.