Firebug toolbar button is always shown deactivated since Firefox 51.0.1

Question

Recently my Firefox got updated to version 51.0.1. Initially it was showing some reminder check (I'm not clear with that) related to Firebug, but I ignored it. Now, the Firebug toolbar button is always shown deactivated.

I've reinstalled Firebug several times, but the result is always the same.

Is there any compatibility issue? How do I activate Firebug?

That the Firebug button stays gray after opening the tools is a known bug, which I've linked to in my answer. — Sebastian Zartner, Jan 30 '17 at 06:39
Possible duplicate of [Why got Firebug removed after updating Firefox to version 50?](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/40744448/why-got-firebug-removed-after-updating-firefox-to-version-50) — Nikunj Chotaliya, Oct 09 '17 at 05:42

score 49 · Accepted Answer · edited Nov 22 '22 at 22:23

49

There is a solution to use Firebug version 2.0.18 in the latest version of Firefox (this time 51.0.1).

To enable the old Firebug:

In the address bar, enter about:config and find browser.tabs.remote.autostart. Set it to false.

Also set browser.tabs.remote.autostart.1 and browser.tabs.remote.autostart.2 to false.

edited Nov 22 '22 at 22:23

Peter Mortensen

30,738
21
105
131

answered Jan 30 '17 at 17:22

Chetan Varshney

656
6
7

Working very well, thanks! You just saved me from never using Firefox for development again (10+ years dedicated user). The inspector is a slow, painful, annoying headache to use. – Steve C Jan 31 '17 at 04:05

score 3 · Answer 2 · edited Nov 22 '22 at 22:16

3

This is the new version of Firefox, and it is not working as intended and making the life of developers & designers even more difficult... look at the review, https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/firebug/reviews/?page=1.

This actually is Firefox DevTools as Firebug is no longer supported for future developments.

You can install the previous version to work with. I installed it and my problem was solved. I have my old version back... https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/firebug/versions/.

New version of it comes with some new features, but some handy features are also left out. It looks totally new to me. May be one day I have to get used to it. For now one can revert back to the old version.

edited Nov 22 '22 at 22:16

Peter Mortensen

30,738
21
105
131

answered Jan 30 '17 at 06:01

Learning

19,469
39
180
373

You are right It seems too tedious to work with. Is any alternative available ? – NarendraR Jan 30 '17 at 06:05
Check my updated answer it should solve your problem. I installed version 2.0.17 – Learning Jan 30 '17 at 06:10
If it works then mark my answer as correct as this could help other user also – Learning Jan 30 '17 at 06:10
Thanks Its working. Just update the older version links. You last link redirecting on latest version. :) – NarendraR Jan 30 '17 at 06:20
There are more alternatives than reverting to an older version of Firebug. I've linked those with additional information on what happened and what to do in my answer. – Sebastian Zartner Jan 30 '17 at 06:29
For clarification, the "new version" is *not* Firebug but the Firefox DevTools. And your answer doesn't clarify why the Firebug toolbar button stays gray when it's clicked. – Sebastian Zartner Jan 30 '17 at 06:45
@SebastianZartner, Agree with you. I had mentioned it as FF and later while editing again i changed it to FB, i will correct it – Learning Jan 30 '17 at 07:05
Both links are broken: *"Oops! We can’t find that page"* – Peter Mortensen Nov 22 '22 at 22:17

score 1 · Answer 3 · edited Nov 22 '22 at 22:18

This is because Firebug is integrated into the Firefox DevTools once multi-process Firefox is enabled, and it doesn't track the enabled state of those tools. This is a known bug.

Note that a click on the Firebug button with multi-process Firefox enabled actually opens the Firefox DevTools with a Firebug theme trying to make the transition a bit easier, because Firebug is officially discontinued.

If you want the old Firebug back and by that make the Firebug button work again as expected, you need to disabled multi-process Firefox as explained in an answer to a similar question by going to about:config and setting the preferences browser.tabs.remote.autostart, browser.tabs.remote.autostart.1 and browser.tabs.remote.autostart.2 to false. Though note that this is just a temporary workaround, because multi-process Firefox will be mandatory at some point.

Furthermore, the Firefox DevTools offer a lot more features than Firebug, but they are also lacking some Firebug had. Therefore, a bug is filed to close those gaps.

In the answer to a related question I've listed what your alternatives are.

If you want to stay with the Firefox DevTools, there is a migration guide for Firebug users.

score 1 · Answer 4 · edited Nov 22 '22 at 22:24

1

Firebug seems to have activated for me after I got the Web Developer Add-On on Firefox.

edited Nov 22 '22 at 22:24

Peter Mortensen

30,738
21
105
131

answered May 25 '17 at 06:09

Faria Noor

11
1

1

Funny.. I tried all the other things to no avail. THIS however was the only thing that actually worked for me! It also extended the firebug button in the menu bar so that I could work with it again. Thanks so much! Works with FF 54.0.1 (64-bit) and last Firebug version. You can disable Web Developer plugin afterwards btw... just FYI. – Malachi Aug 15 '17 at 21:34

score 0 · Answer 5 · edited Nov 22 '22 at 22:26

0

Open the default Element Inspector, and click the settings icon.

Under the Themes section, you will see the Light option is checked. Change it to Firebug. Firebug will be activated automatically.

edited Nov 22 '22 at 22:26

Peter Mortensen

30,738
21
105
131

answered Sep 01 '17 at 11:08

mapmalith

1,303
21
38

1

For me it didn't activate it. Only the theme changed – GIVE-ME-CHICKEN Apr 12 '18 at 13:12

score 0 · Answer 6 · edited Nov 22 '22 at 22:32

The best way to install FirePath and Firebug is to downgrade Firefox by downloading an older version of Firefox , like 31 from Firefox ftp.

I downloaded older version of Firefox from http://mozilla_firefox.en.downloadastro.com/old_versions/

After downgrading, go to menu option → Update and check "Never check for updates" checkbox

If the below setting has been made:

In address enter about:config, find
browser.tabs.remote.autostart set it false
browser.tabs.remote.autostart.1 set it false
browser.tabs.remote.autostart.2 set it false

Then reset firefox by typing 'about:support' in the address bar

Click "Reset Firefox"

By doing this, you should be able to install the FirePath and Firebug addons from the Mozilla addons page.

Why would you trust `downloadastro.com`? – Peter Mortensen Nov 22 '22 at 22:32 — Peter Mortensen, Nov 22 '22 at 22:32

Firebug toolbar button is always shown deactivated since Firefox 51.0.1

6 Answers6

Linked