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content-prefs.sqlite and my site login cookies are being ignored after closing FF for several minutes. Why is that?

  • 2 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 4 views
  • Last reply by cor-el

Ospreyhawk
Ospreyhawk
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So, I opened up FF this morning only to find that I needed to log into Tumblr and reselect the download location for a blog I've visited countless times and had actually saved from the night before. I opened up the content-prefs.sqlite file using a 3rd party app and all of the sites I've saved images from were still present, but appeared to not be used in the slightest. In fact, all of my frequent sites required me to relog in and my Cookie manager plugin was missing all cookies but the ones generated from that session.

I tried copying the content-prefs.sqlite file and replacing it after FF replaced the deleted one, but it didn't fix it. I suspect all my cookies are still intact, but I would like to know a way to repair it. I follow several dozen artists on Tumblr and other art sites and save their stuff to folders that do not always have the same name as their site's handle.

Is there a way to force FF to use that complete file and the old cookies? Or will I need to unlink then resync my profile to fix it? Is content-prefs.sqlite even saved via sync?

So, I opened up FF this morning only to find that I needed to log into Tumblr and reselect the download location for a blog I've visited countless times and had actually saved from the night before. I opened up the content-prefs.sqlite file using a 3rd party app and all of the sites I've saved images from were still present, but appeared to not be used in the slightest. In fact, all of my frequent sites required me to relog in and my Cookie manager plugin was missing all cookies but the ones generated from that session. I tried copying the content-prefs.sqlite file and replacing it after FF replaced the deleted one, but it didn't fix it. I suspect all my cookies are still intact, but I would like to know a way to repair it. I follow several dozen artists on Tumblr and other art sites and save their stuff to folders that do not always have the same name as their site's handle. Is there a way to force FF to use that complete file and the old cookies? Or will I need to unlink then resync my profile to fix it? Is content-prefs.sqlite even saved via sync?

All Replies (2)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 25 Contributor
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Cookies are stored in cookies.sqlite, in case you are looking for a different file to restore.

But my question is still what triggered this problem. Have you shut down and restarted Windows since it began? Sometimes after system updates (and for some users after resuming from sleep or hibernation), Firefox may have odd problems access its data files.

Ospreyhawk said

Is content-prefs.sqlite even saved via sync?

That, I have no idea.

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
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A detail like a website remembering you (log you in automatically) is stored in a cookie. If you clear such a cookie then the website forgets about you and you need to login again.

You can use these steps to make a website recognize and remember you:

  • you can create an "Allow" exception to keep specific cookies, especially in case of secure websites and when cookies expire when Firefox is closed.
  • Options/Preferences -> Privacy & Security -> Cached Web Content: "Clear Now": Exceptions

Let the cookies expire when Firefox is closed to make them session cookies instead of using "Clear history when Firefox closes" to clear the cookies.

  • Options/Preferences -> Privacy & Security -> "Use custom settings for history" -> Cookies: Keep until: "I close Firefox"

You can create an "Allow" exception to keep specific cookies.

  • clearing "Site Preferences" clears exceptions for cookies, images, pop-up windows, and software installation and exception for password and other website specific data
  • clearing "Cookies" will remove all selected cookies including cookies with an "Allow" exception you may want to keep