HowTo: Linux Update the Adobe Flash Player [ Firefox and Chrome Plugin ]

The Adobe Flash Player plugin is use for viewing multimedia, and streaming video and audio, on a Firefox web browser. The same plugin is used by Google chrome and other browsers. Keeping your third-party plugins such as flash player up to date helps Firefox run safely and smoothly.

As explained earlier you need to install the flashplugin-nonfree package under Debian and Ubuntu Linux to get flash support for Firefox and other browsers. You can check plugins status by visiting the following url:
https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/plugincheck/

Fig.01: Check Your Plugins

How Do I Update the Adobe Flash Player Under Debian or Ubuntu Linux?

Open a terminal window (select Applications > Accessories > Terminal). Switch to the root user by typing su - and entering the root password, when prompted:
$ su - # update-flashplugin-nonfree --install
OR
$ sudo /sbin/update-flashplugin-nonfree --install
The update-flashplugin-nonfree command takes care of downloading, removing the installed Adobe Flash Plugin if it has been reported as insecure, or, if a newer suitable version is available, downloading a newer Adobe Flash Player and its installer from the Adobe download site. From the man page:

       --install
              To install, update or remove the Adobe Flash Player depending on
              downloaded  last  minute  information from Debian about suitable
              versions.
       --uninstall
              To remove the Adobe Flash Player.

(Fig.02: update-flashplugin-nonfree command line options)
Next, restart the Firefox and all other browsers. Again, check plugins status by visiting the following url:
https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/plugincheck/

Debian / Ubuntu Linux Update Flash Player For Firefox / Chrome Browser

Fig.02: Up To Date Flash Plugin Reported By Mozilla

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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }

1 tueken November 24, 2011 at 12:57 pm

Finally i can watch youtube from ubuntu.

2 alan November 25, 2011 at 6:36 pm

I have found the firefox plugin “flash-aid” to be the best solution for firefox. It allows one to choose which library to use, which was important with Pandora didn’t work for me.

3 setevoy November 30, 2011 at 11:59 am

Well, Firefox website says that I need to update Flash.
I try make:
setevoy@lizard:~$ sudo /sbin/update-flashplugin-nonfree –install
but get answer:
sudo: /sbin/update-flashplugin-nonfree: command not found

ЧЯНДТ? (What I make wrong?) :)

Linux lizard.dcv 2.6.32-31-generic #61-Ubuntu

4 DBB April 11, 2013 at 11:03 pm: I know this is old, but it is because you didn’t do the first (kinda hidden) step where you install update-flashplugin-nonfree to /sbin/

5 Conner September 26, 2012 at 10:02 am

you missed the second ‘-’?
Your -install should be –install

6 Thomas October 13, 2012 at 4:02 pm

when i do
$ sudo /sbin/update-flashplugin-nonfree –install
it says $: command not found
what do i do?

7 mueller March 19, 2013 at 2:46 pm: type – twice before typing install
2x — install
8 DBB April 11, 2013 at 11:02 pm: `sudo /sbin/update-flashplugin-nonfree –install` is the command. $ implies the start of the shell line, not part of the command.