Flash Player TechNote

Common Adobe Flash Player install issues

If you have problems installing the Adobe Flash Player, follow the troubleshooting steps below. If one step does not correct the problem, move onto the next step. After each step you may want to restart your machine to ensure your changes take effect before moving onto the next step.

Where can I find instructions for installing Adobe Flash Player?

Before installing the Flash Player please ensure that you have the following settings correctly set:

Internet Explorer ActiveX settings
Although your browser security settings should be chosen by you or your system Administrator, the 'Medium: Default Level' will allow you to view Macromedia Flash content. For any Custom Level, ensure that both "Download Signed ActiveX controls" and "Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins" are not disabled. (Enable or Prompt will work).

To view your Security Level do the following:

  1. Open Internet Explorer.
  2. Choose Tools then Internet Options.
  3. Select the Security tab.
  4. Choose Internet.
  5. Ensure that "Download Signed ActiveX controls" and "Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins" are not disabled.

If you are having trouble installing make certain that your Internet Explorer security level is not set to High or at a custom level which does not allow viewing of ActiveX controls.

Computer user permissions
User permissions determine whether or not you are allowed to install ActiveX controls or plug-ins. If you don't have Administrator access to your Windows NT, 2000, or XP equipped computer, you may not be able to install the Flash Player successfully. Permissions can be tricky but, in general, you should be able to install and use the Adobe Flash Player if your system Administrator has provided full access to the Macromed directory (C:\Winnt\System32\Macromed\).

Macintosh OS X users must also have proper access to run the Flash Player on Netscape 6. If you have problems with this configuration, refer to Netscape 6.2 has problems utilizing the Macromedia Flash Player 6 plug-in on OS X (TechNote 16214).

Previous versions of Macromedia Flash Player should be removed
Uninstall any previous version of Flash Player before using the standalone installer. For instructions on removing the player, please see How to uninstall the Adobe Flash Player plug-in and ActiveX control (TN 14157).

All web browsers must be closed
Quit all running applications, including all Internet Explorer windows, AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger or other Messengers. Check the Windows system tray carefully to make certain no applications that might possibly use Flash Player are still in memory.

After these settings are in place, you are ready to download and/or install the Flash Player.

How do I download Adobe Flash Player?

The Flash Player is available for download from the Flash Player Download Center.

I have installed Adobe Flash Player but still don't see any Flash content. What is wrong?

The most common reasons that Flash content fails to display are:

Restricted User accounts are unable to display Flash Player content
After successful installation under the Windows Administrator account, Restricted User accounts are unable to display Flash Player content. This issue has been reported on Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 systems and occurs sporadically. It may also effect other versions of Windows, such as Windows 2000.

Users who installed Flash Player 8.0.24.0 prior to April 6, 2006 must uninstall using the Flash Player uninstaller released on May 11, 2006. Uninstall Flash Player using the instructions in How to uninstall the Adobe Flash Player (TechNote 14157).

Flash Player detection failure with websites that use VBScript detection
Websites that use VBScript detection for Flash Player may fail in Microsoft Internet Explorer. This VBScript detection issue is resolved by running the Flash Player uninstaller released on May 11, 2006 (version 3.0.0.17) or later, and reinstalling the latest Flash Player. For more information regarding this see Flash Player detection failure with websites that use VBScript detection (TechNote 7d1862a).

Pop-up blockers blocking Flash
The most common cause of Flash movies failing to display is the presence of a pop-up/ad blocker software that specifically targets Flash content. To find out more about this please see Flash movies do not appear after installing the Flash Player (TechNote 19091).

Internet Explorer Settings on a Macintosh
On the Macintosh there is a setting in Internet Explorer to enable plug-ins. This setting is located in the Explorer > Preferences menu of the browser. In the Preferences dialog box, select Web Content under Browser Display. Then ensure that the Enable Plug-ins option is selected.

Internet utilities blocking ActiveX
Some Internet Utilities, such as Norton Internet Utilities, perform functions similar to a firewall and may restrict viewing of ActiveX controls. You need to ensure that your firewall or utility settings are set to allow ActiveX controls or you will not be able to view Flash movies in Internet Explorer.

What if the installer fails, or displays an error message?

Error message encountered during installation are usually due to incorrect browser settings. Please check the settings required before installation in the Where can I find instructions for installing Adobe Flash Player section above.

Last updated:

 

2006-6-30

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