How Do You Update Installed Userscripts?

Updating installed userscripts ensures you have access to the latest features, bug fixes, and security patches provided by the script developers. Most popular browser extension managers—such as Tampermonkey, Violentmonkey, and Greasemonkey—handle this process automatically in the background, but you can also trigger updates manually at any time. This article covers how automatic updates work and provides step-by-step instructions for manually checking and updating your userscripts across major script managers.

How Automatic Updates Work

By default, userscript managers regularly check the source repository (such as Greasy Fork, OpenUserJS, or GitHub) where you originally downloaded the script.

• Version Comparison: The manager reads the @version tag in the script’s metadata header. If the source metadata shows a higher version number than your installed copy, the extension downloads and installs the revision.
• Update Frequency: Most managers check for updates once every 24 to 48 hours, though this interval can usually be adjusted in the extension’s settings menu.

Note: If a script developer changes the update URL inside the script’s metadata header (@updateURL or @downloadURL), your script manager may fail to detect new updates automatically.

How to Manually Update Userscripts

If a script seems broken or you know a new release is available, you do not need to wait for the automatic cycle. You can manually check for updates directly from your extension dashboard.

Updating in Tampermonkey

1. Click the Tampermonkey icon in your browser toolbar.
2. Select Dashboard to open your list of installed scripts.
3. Locate the script you want to update.
4. Click the Check for updates icon or the date shown in the Last Updated column.
5. To update all scripts at once, click the Utilities tab at the top and select Check for updates.

Updating in Violentmonkey

1. Click the Violentmonkey icon in your toolbar.
2. Click the gear icon or select Open Dashboard.
3. To update a single script, click the Check for updates icon next to that specific script.
4. To update all scripts simultaneously, click the Check for updates button located at the top of the dashboard menu.

Updating in Greasemonkey (Firefox)

1. Click the Greasemonkey icon in Firefox.
2. Select Manage Scripts or open your browser’s Add-ons Manager (about:addons).
3. Find the userscript from your list.
4. Click the gear icon or options menu next to the script and select Check for Updates.

Troubleshooting Failed Updates

If a script fails to update, consider the following common solutions:

• Reinstall the Script: Navigate back to the original website where you found the script (e.g., Greasy Fork) and click Install. Overwriting the existing file often fixes broken update URLs.
• Check the Script Source: The developer may have discontinued the script or deleted the repository, which prevents further updates.
• Permissions: Ensure your script manager has permission to access the web domain hosting the update file.