LimeWire

Technical Question? Here Are Some Common Issues:

• What is LimeWire?

  LimeWire is a peer-to-peer file sharing program that connects to the Gnutella network and enables users to search for and download files from other users. It is not a web site or a service, and LimeWire does not provide any of the content found on the network. LimeWire enables you to share your files with millions of other LimeWire users, and vice versa, so there is always a diverse selection of files available.

  Customers who have purchased LimeWire PRO can receive support by clicking here.
  To upgrade to a version of LimeWire that includes support, click here.

• How do I get LimeWire PRO if I already paid? Do I have to pay again?

  If you purchased LimeWire PRO from this website, then you are eligible to redownload the software for free within the period of time as stated on the option you purchased.

  Click here to redownload your software.

  LimeWire PRO requires a one-time payment and you will not be charged again unless you choose to renew your technical support options.

  Please note that LimeWire is not a subscription service and there are no lifetime memberships.

  Customers who have purchased LimeWire PRO can receive support by clicking here.
  To upgrade to a version of LimeWire that includes support, click here.

• Why am I seeing the error message "Network Error - There might be a problem with your internet connection" or am having an issue connecting?

  It's possible that a firewall and/or security software (such as anti-virus) is blocking our software from accessing the internet. In the case of firewalls, you need to make sure that your software is allowing LimeWire as an exception so that you can access the internet.

  Because there are so many different brands of firewall software available, we cannot offer specific support on each one. However, here is some information that will help resolve the most common issues that occur:

  http://wiki.limewire.org/index.php?title=User_Cant_Connect

  Customers who have purchased LimeWire PRO can receive support by clicking here.
  To upgrade to a version of LimeWire that includes support, click here.

• Why won't my LimeWire PRO open?

  First, check to make sure that LimeWire is not already running in your system tray (next to the time). If you see it, click the lime icon to restore LimeWire (you may need to click the left arrow "<" button to expand the system tray).

  If LimeWire is not running, you may have uninstalled it, or a spyware removal program may have miscategorized LimeWire as spyware and removed it from your computer (such as AOL's anti-spyware software), yet the shortcut still appears on your Windows desktop or taskbar. Please update to the latest version of LimeWire by following these steps:

  1. Go to www.limewire.com
  2. Click on "Support"
  3. Click the link for "Download/Update Limewire PRO"
  4. Enter the email address you provided when you purchased Limewire PRO. Once you successfully enter your address, you will be able to re-download.

  Or, you can go directly to http://www.limewire.com/support/lookup/.

  If LimeWire is not running and is installed on your Windows system yet you still cannot launch it, Java may be corrupted. To correct the problem, uninstall the Java Runtime Environment from Add/Remove Programs (go to: Start > Control Panel) and then redownload and install it by following the link below:

  http://www.java.com/en/download/

  Customers who have purchased LimeWire PRO can receive support by clicking here.
  To upgrade to a version of LimeWire that includes support, click here.

• How do I reinstall my LimeWire PRO software?

  Windows XP

  Before you start, please back up your LimeWire Saved folder (Start > My Documents > LimeWire > Saved)

  1. Completely shut down LimeWire, including in the taskbar and system tray (the system tray is located in the bottom-right corner of the screen, usually next to the time).
  2. Uninstall all previous installations of LimeWire and Java Runtime Environment from Add/Remove programs (go to: Start > Settings > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs).
  3. Delete all LimeWire icons and installers from your computer (you may find some on your desktop).

  4. Right-click the Start menu, then select Explore. Using the folder tree on the left side, navigate to the following directories, and delete them where found (you can right-click the folder and select Delete):

     C:\Documents and Settings\(username)\Application Data\LimeWire (where username is the name you use to log on to Windows)

     C:\Program Files\LimeWire

     NOTE: If you can't find these folders, go to Tools > Folder Options > View (or Advanced), then select Show Hidden Files.

  5. Restart your computer.

  6. Visit:

     http://www.limewire.com/javabuttond

     To re-download and install the JRE (Free Java Download > all Java downloads > Offline Installation).

  7. Clear your browser's cache and cookies
  8. Go to the PRO download page here: http://www.limewire.com/support/lookup/ and download the Windows installer. Click *Run*. If you have problems when selecting *Run*, save the LimeWire PRO installer to your hard drive, and then run the installer from its saved location.

  Windows Vista

  Before you start, please back up your LimeWire Saved folder (Start > My Documents > LimeWire > Saved)

  1. Completely shut down LimeWire, including in the taskbar and system tray (the system tray is located in the bottom-right corner of the screen, usually next to the time; you may need to expand it by clicking the left arrow button).
  2. Uninstall all previous installations of LimeWire and Java Runtime Environment from Add/Remove programs (go to: Start > Control Panel > Uninstall a program).
  3. Delete all LimeWire icons and installers from your computer (you may find some on your desktop).

  4. Right-click the Start menu, then select Explore. Using the folder tree on the left side, navigate to the following directories, and delete them where found (you can right-click the folder and select Delete):

     C:\Users\(username)\AppData\Roaming\LimeWire (where username is the name you use to log on to Windows)

     C:\Users\(username)\Incomplete (this will delete any partial downloads that were in progress)

     C:\Program Files\LimeWire

     NOTE: If you can't find these folders, go to Organize > Folder and Search Options > View, then select Show Hidden Files.

  5. Restart your computer.

  6. Visit:

     http://www.limewire.com/javabuttond

     To re-download and install the JRE (Free Java Download > all Java downloads > Offline Installation).

  7. Clear your browser's cache and cookies
  8. Go back to PRO download page here: http://www.limewire.com/support/lookup/ and download the Windows installer. Click *Run*. If you have problems when selecting *Run*, save the LimeWire PRO installer to your hard drive, and then run the installer from its saved location.

  Mac OS X

  Back up your successful LimeWire downloads from the LimeWire Saved folder (Users > username > LimeWire > Saved)

  1. Delete all versions of LimeWire, and delete your preferences directory (/Users/username/Library/Preferences/LimeWire). Delete the "install limewire" receipt from the "Macintosh HD/Library/Receipts" folder.
  2. Delete all LimeWire aliases and installers from your desktop and Dock, and the "install limewire" receipt from the receipts folder.
  3. Reboot your computer.
  4. Clear your browser's cache and cookies
  5. Download the latest OS X installer here: http://www.limewire.com/support/lookup/
  6. Reinstall LimeWire Pro.

  Customers who have purchased LimeWire PRO can receive support by clicking here.
  To upgrade to a version of LimeWire that includes support, click here.

• Why can't I find what I'm looking for?

  LimeWire 5.0 is configured by default not to share programs and particular file types. This was implemented to protect users from downloading malicious files or from sharing certain types of documents. While the actual number of results may be fewer, you are also seeing fewer results for suspect files.

  Also, if you want to refine your search results for better success you can use our Advanced Search feature:

  1. Enter your search term
  2. Click the menu button to the left of the search window and click on "Advanced Search" at the bottom of the list
  3. Under "Search for the following category" select the type of file you are looking for
  4. Type the name of the file you are looking for.

  Check the connection quality bars in the lower left corner of LimeWire. If you have 0 bars or 1 bar, then you aren't connected, and you should wait for LimeWire to connect. If LimeWire does not connect, then you won't be able to find files, but any previously started downloads will be affected by your connectivity.

  Also, because LimeWire files are shared between users, it is impossible to guarantee that you will always find the file you are looking for or that it will download at the desired speed every time. The speed of a download as well as its availability depends on the internet connection of both users as well as the presence of users who have the file you are looking for.

  If you are connected but can't find what you're looking for, try broadening your search criteria. A broader search will generally return more results than a specific search. Note that Lime Wire does not place files on the Gnutella network and does not guarantee that you will find the file you are looking for.

  Customers who have purchased LimeWire PRO can receive support by clicking here.
  To upgrade to a version of LimeWire that includes support, click here.

• Why won't LimeWire run properly on my Mac?

  LimeWire 5 requires Java version 1.6 to run. Both require Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard running on an Intel 64-bit processor. To find out what processor you are using, go to the Apple menu and select "About This Mac". LimeWire 5 will run on Core 2 Duo and Xeon processors, but it will not run on Core Duo or PowerPC processors because Apple has not released an updated Java version for older systems. More information is available on the Apple website: http://developer.apple.com/java/javaleopard.html. Please contact Customer Support for more information.

  Customers who have purchased LimeWire PRO can receive support by clicking here.
  To upgrade to a version of LimeWire that includes support, click here.

• Why am I seeing the error "Nothing to Install" when attempting to reinstall LimeWire PRO on my Mac?

  1. Delete all versions of LimeWire, and delete your preferences directory (/Users/username/Library/Preferences/LimeWire). Delete the "install limewire" receipt from the "Macintosh HD/Library/Receipts" folder.
  2. Delete all LimeWire aliases and installers from your desktop and Dock, and the "install limewire" receipt from the receipts folder.
  3. Reboot your computer.
  4. Clear your browser's cache and cookies
  5. Download the OS X installer from here: http://www.limewire.com/support/lookup/
  6. Reinstall LimeWire

  Customers who have purchased LimeWire PRO can receive support by clicking here.
  To upgrade to a version of LimeWire that includes support, click here.

• How do I use the files I downloaded with other programs besides LimeWire?

  The best way to get help using your files with other programs is to consult the Help documentation for the specific program you are trying to use. Because there are so many applications out there to choose from, we're unable to provide support on each one.

  Knowing where your files are stored will enable you to use them with other programs or devices. Open the "My Documents" folder in Windows XP (just "Documents" in Windows Vista or your home folder in Mac OS X), and look for the LimeWire folder. Files downloaded through LimeWire are saved to the "Saved" folder.

  If you are using iTunes, your LimeWire downloads will automatically appear in a LimeWire playlist in iTunes. Once your songs appear in iTunes you can copy them to your iPod or iPhone in the same way you transfer other files from iTunes.

  To transfer downloaded files manually from LimeWire to iTunes:

  1. Select the file in LimeWire's Library that you would like to transfer by clicking on it.
  2. Drag and drop the file into iTunes.

  Customers who have purchased LimeWire PRO can receive support by clicking here.
  To upgrade to a version of LimeWire that includes support, click here.

Still Need Help?

Check out our FAQ page.

Customers who have purchased LimeWire PRO can receive support by clicking here.
To upgrade to a version of LimeWire that includes support, click here.

LimeWire has a zero tolerance policy for content that exploits children. To report a LimeWire user in violation of this policy, contact us at abuse@limewire.com