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Firefox session restore doesn't work

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  • Last reply by cor-el

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My firefox's session restore is no longer working. Whenever my browser crashes or is closed, none of my tabs are restored, nor does restore previous session appear in the browser setting. I've tried the following:

-Reinstalling firefox -Clean reinstall (deleting the mozilla folder under program files) -Checking for prefs.js (it's in my profile folder) -Checking for the sessionstore-backups folder (it's there)

Thanks for any help provided with this.

My firefox's session restore is no longer working. Whenever my browser crashes or is closed, none of my tabs are restored, nor does restore previous session appear in the browser setting. I've tried the following: -Reinstalling firefox -Clean reinstall (deleting the mozilla folder under program files) -Checking for prefs.js (it's in my profile folder) -Checking for the sessionstore-backups folder (it's there) Thanks for any help provided with this.

Chosen solution

You may have corrupt sessionstore [v56] sessionstore.jsonlz4 file(s). Delete all sessionstore* files and the sessionstore-backups folder.

Type about:support<enter> in the address bar.

Under the page logo on the left side, you will see Application Basics. Under this find Profile Folder. To its right press the button Show Folder. This will open your file browser to the current Firefox profile. Now Close Firefox.

Linux: Under the page logo on the left side, you will see Application Basics. Under this find Profile Directory. To its right press the button Open Directory.

Locate the above file. Then rename or delete it. Restart Firefox.


Don't delete the files if you need to rescue any data from them, just move them out of the profile folder to some location where Firefox doesn't look for them. You can try to read out their contents using this tool: https://www.jeffersonscher.com/res/scrounger.html

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Chosen Solution

You may have corrupt sessionstore [v56] sessionstore.jsonlz4 file(s). Delete all sessionstore* files and the sessionstore-backups folder.

Type about:support<enter> in the address bar.

Under the page logo on the left side, you will see Application Basics. Under this find Profile Folder. To its right press the button Show Folder. This will open your file browser to the current Firefox profile. Now Close Firefox.

Linux: Under the page logo on the left side, you will see Application Basics. Under this find Profile Directory. To its right press the button Open Directory.

Locate the above file. Then rename or delete it. Restart Firefox.


Don't delete the files if you need to rescue any data from them, just move them out of the profile folder to some location where Firefox doesn't look for them. You can try to read out their contents using this tool: https://www.jeffersonscher.com/res/scrounger.html

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Separate Security Issue: Update your Flash Player or remove it using these links; Uninstall Flash Player | Windows {web link} Uninstall Flash Player | Mac {web link}

Note: Windows users should download the ActiveX for Internet Explorer. and the plugin for Plugin-based browsers (like Firefox).

Note: Windows 8 and Windows 10 have built-in flash players and Adobe will cause a conflict. Install the plugin only. Not the ActiveX.

Flash Player Version: Version 32.0.0.101

https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/ Direct link scans current system and browser Note: Other software is offered in the download. <Windows Only>

https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/otherversions/ Step 1: Select Operating System Step 2: Select A Version (Firefox, Win IE . . . .) Note: Other software is offered in the download. <Windows Only> +++++++++++++++++++ See if there are updates for your graphics drivers https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/upgrade-graphics-drivers-use-hardware-acceleration

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Miton4 said

I've tried the following:
...
-Checking for the sessionstore-backups folder (it's there)

What's in there?

The kinds of files you may find in sessionstore-backups are:

  • recovery.jsonlz4: the windows and tabs in your currently live Firefox session (or, if Firefox crashed at the last shutdown and is still closed, your last session)
  • recovery.baklz4: a backup copy of recovery.jsonlz4
  • previous.jsonlz4: the windows and tabs in your last Firefox session
  • upgrade.jsonlz4-build_id: the windows and tabs in the Firefox session that was live at the time of your last update
  • various .js files from Firefox 55 or earlier

I have a tool to extract the contents of a file for viewing. Drag and drop a file onto this page, then click Scrounge URLs: https://www.jeffersonscher.com/ffu/scrounger.html

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Make sure you do not run Firefox in permanent Private Browsing mode (Always use Private Browsing mode; Never Remember History).

  • Options/Preferences -> Privacy & Security
    Firefox will: "Use custom settings for history"
  • remove checkmark: [ ] "Always use Private Browsing mode"

You can check the target line in the Firefox desktop shortcut (right-click: Properties) to make sure nothing is appended after the path to the Firefox program.