Troubleshooting AOL Desktop Gold

Update Desktop Gold

When your AOL Desktop Gold is ready for an update, we'll push it through to you automatically. All you'll need to do is close and reopen your AOL Desktop Gold every couple of days to ensure you're using the most updated version. Once you reopen AOL Desktop Gold you'll be using the newest version available to you.

AOL Desktop Gold is slow

If AOL Desktop Gold is running slowly, try the solutions listed below. After trying a solution, please see if the problem with your Desktop Gold is fixed. If it's not, please continue to the next solution until the problem is fixed.

Exit and restart Desktop Gold

• If the issue still exists, proceed to the next step.

If the issue still exists, proceed to the next step.

• Open a browser.
• Go to beta.aol.com
• Click on AOL Desktop
• On the right of the page you will see the latest revision number.
• Compare that version to what is listed when you click About AOL from the Help menu.
• If you are on the latest version, proceed to the next step.

Uninstall/Reinstall Desktop Gold if it is still working

• Uninstall Adobe Flash Player PPAPI.
• Uninstall Old AOL Desktop version.

Desktop Gold doesn't launch.

Desktop Gold may not be able to launch on your PC due to some compatibility issues with Flash Player.

1. Restart your computer.
2. Uninstall Flash Player PPAPI by accessing the Programs & Features window in the Control Panel.
3. Launch Desktop Gold.

I'm unable to install AOL Desktop Gold.

Check the minimum system requirements

• Desktop Gold isn't compatible with versions of Microsoft Windows earlier than Windows 7. To make sure your computer meets the minimum system requirements, refer to the system requirements section of the AOL Desktop Gold: Downloading and Installing article.

Restart the computer

• If you haven't recently restarted your computer or you don't restart your computer very often, we recommend that you restart the computer. This helps clear the internal memory (RAM), which often resolves many issues.

Desktop Gold shortcut icon is missing

If AOL Desktop Gold shortcut icon is missing, try the solutions listed below.

Create New Desktop Shortcut

• Right click the AOL Desktop Tray Launcher icon in the System tray.
• Select Create new desktop shortcut.
• If the issue still exists, proceed to the next step.

Create a shortcut from the Help menu

• Open AOL Desktop Gold. if you are having trouble opening it, click Start on the windows toolbar.
• Type "%localappdata%"
• Navigate to AOL Desktop folder
• Double click on the AOL Desktop application file.
• From the Desktop Gold toolbar help menu, select Create new desktop shortcut.
• If the issue still exists, proceed to the next step.

Uninstall/Reinstall Desktop Gold

• In Windows settings, go to Add/Remove programs.
• Select AOL Desktop Gold.
• To download the latest go to discover.aol.com/newdesktop

Restart your computer

• Restart your computer and launch Desktop Gold.

Browser is crashing in Desktop Gold

There can be many reasons why your browser crashes. However, most of these issues can be fixed with a simple and quick solution. Before trying the solution below, please report this issue by using the Report a Bug section that can be accessed by clicking the Help menu at the top.

1. Click the Edit menu at the top | Select Footprints to Clear.
2. Check the box next to Browser Cache. This option will clear the temporary browser files which can cause crashes.

Tip iconTo revert this option, click the Edit menu at the top | Select Footprints to Clear and then uncheck the Browser cache box.

Why won't Desktop Gold connect so I can get online?/When AOL Desktop Gold can't connect online

Desktop Gold doesn't provide dial-up internet connectivity and can only be used if you already have a broadband internet connection. If you're having trouble getting online, check to see if the issue is with your internet connection.Our help article, Troubleshooting a Broadband Connection, provides some useful troubleshooting tips. If you are still unable to connect, please contact your broadband provider for assistance.

Some or all of my address book contacts are missing

If your AOL Desktop Gold contacts are missing, try the solutions listed below.

Address Book Quick Find

• Within your address book, type in your contact using the Quick Find search bar. There may be times your contact is not displayed in the same order as before.
• If the issue still exists, proceed to the next step.

Compose/Write email window

• Open a new email by clicking the Write button on the toolbar.
• Start typing your contacts in the write mail "to" field.

Check your contacts in webmail

• Open a web browser and navigate to mail.aol.com.
• Check to see if your contacts are all listed.

I get prompted to update Microsoft .NET Framework to 4.5.2.

You may get prompted during the install process to update your Microsoft .NET Framework to version 4.5.2 while installing Desktop Gold.  You should accept this update because it's important for Desktop Gold to run properly. You should also make sure that automatic updates are enabled in your browser as these updates help to keep your computer secure. Refer to our help article Download or upgrade your web browser for more information.

Missing Emails, Folders, Favorites, Toolbar icons, Username on dialog box, and changes in settings not saving

If you are missing items or your settings are not saving correctly, try the solutions listed below.

Close Desktop Gold and relaunch

• Open task manaager
• End task on ALL "AOL Desktop.exe"
• Open Desktop Gold
• If the issue still exists, proceed to the next step.

Restart the computer

• Restart your computer and restart Desktop Gold
• If the issue still exists, proceed to the next step.

Uninstall/Reinstall Desktop Gold

• In Windows settings, go to Add/Remove programs.
• Select AOL Desktop Gold
• To download the latest go to discover.aol.com/newdesktop