Other Bookmarks in the Firefox Toolbar is missing
I had an arrow on the right side of my FF Toolbar for "Other Bookmarks". Recently it went missing. I have many bookmarks under that heading, and can get to them through the Bookmarks Manager, but no arrow on the Toolbar. How can I get it back?
Chosen solution
I think the Bookmarks Toolbar -- the empty bar -- is there but it isn't displaying the expected contents. Could you go back to Customize mode and reconfirm that "Bookmarks Toolbar Items" is at the left end of that bar and, if it's not, try to locate it and move it there.
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Hi JScher2000- Thanks for that very clear information. Actually, the only reason I want to set up a new profile is to see if it restores the "Other Bookmarks" Icon on the far right of my Bookmarks Toolbar. If it does, I'll move my information to that FF version and get rid of the one I currently have. If it doesn't, I'll just delete it and continue with my current FF version. That being the case, is there any advantage to my setting up a new profile first, or would it be just as good to simply download FF again and get the profile automatically?
Thanks again for your assistance. -Barry
Hi Barry, if you were to install the Extended Support Release of Firefox 102, or the Developer Edition (based on the beta of Firefox 105), then you would get a new profile automatically. I don't think installing the identical version of Firefox will create a new profile -- I think it would do an in-place update and keep using the same profile. Maybe you would need to install it in a different folder than the usual one to get the effect described in the article. ??
Hi JScher2000- I followed your instructions to create a new profile and there, as soon as I added a file in "Other Bookmarks," it created the file folder icon with "Other Bookmarks" just to the right of the ">>" for "Show more bookmarks" which is what I wanted. (See attached image.) So this was a successful action!!! Now, the question is how to get all my other bookmarks and everything else from my default profile into this new profile.... without loosing the file folder with "Other bookmarks" to the right of "Show more bookmarks". This is difficult because I really don't know why I lost that feature in my default profile. I would appreciate your advice on how I should proceed.
And thank you so much again for your assistance with what seemed like an impossible task!!!! -Barry!
If you use Sync then best is to disconnect Sync temporarily during troubleshooting.
this could be a problem with the places.sqlite and favicons.sqlite files in the Firefox profile folder.
- use the "Places Database" -> "Verify Integrity" button on the "Help -> More Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page
If errors are reported with "Verify Integrity", close and restart Firefox or reboot and retry.
If "Verify Integrity" cannot repair places.sqlite, rename/remove all places.sqlite and favicons.sqlite files in the Firefox profile folder with Firefox closed. Firefox will rebuild places.sqlite and restore the bookmarks from the most recent JSON backup in the bookmarkbackups folder.
- keep a backup copy of places.sqlite in case a new places.sqlite database has to be created
- you lose the history when a new places.sqlite is created
You may have to restore an older bookmarks backup in the bookmarkbackups folder via the Bookmarks Manager (Library).
- Bookmarks -> Manage Bookmarks -> Import & Backup -> Restore
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/restore-bookmarks-from-backup-or-move-them
See also:
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/fix-bookmarks-and-history-will-not-be-functional
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/cant-add-change-or-save-bookmarks
You can use the button on the "Help -> More Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page to go to the current Firefox profile folder or use the about:profiles page (Root directory).
- Help -> More Troubleshooting Information -> Profile Folder/Directory:
Windows: Open Folder; Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder - https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-firefox-stores-user-data
You can restore a recent backup from the bookmarkbackups folder in the old profile to get the old bookmarks.
Hi core-el- I did run the Validate integrity on the Places Database and it all appeared "sane", which I take to mean the integrity was validated.
We have established that in a new profile, the "Other bookmarks" option I want is there. I would think there should be a way to correct the issue in my currently used program. That would be the most direct approach. I guess plan "B" would be for me to move to the new profile and then try to bring everything from my default profile to the newly created profile while leaving behind whatever it is that is blocking the "Other bookmarks" option that I want. That appears to be a much more involved and daunting task, and one I'm not clear about how to accomplish. Moreover, the process seems capable of leading to additional problems. At this point I feel blocked from moving forward. Any explicit suggestions for the simplest and safest way to proceed would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for bearing with me on this matter. -Barry
It seems that everybody thinks my problem is solved. But It's only partially solved, really. Yes, I created a new profile that has the "Other bookmarks" feature I wanted, but I still need to transfer my bookmarks, preferences, and I don't know what else, into the new profile. I read something today that I'm thinking might be good to try before I start moving things to the new profile:
"If you are troubleshooting a problem with Firefox: The Refresh Firefox feature can fix many issues by restoring Firefox to its default state while saving your essential information. Consider using it before going through a lengthy troubleshooting process."
Do you think it be worthwhile to try that first? Is there any downside to doing it? I'd appreciate hearing your thoughts on this.
Thanks. -Barry
It's been 3 days since I've heard anything further on my issue. Maybe people thought that because I was able to create a new profile with the "Other bookmarks" link in my overflow toolbar, my issue was solved. That's really not the case. As I looked at what I would have to move from my previous profile or install anew in the new profile, I was confronted with how much work this would entail. I would need to import: Bookmarks, Browsing and download history, Passwords, Cookies, Web form auto-fill information, my personal dictionary, 9 Extensions, my Theme, 6 Overflow Menu items, 16 Taskbar items, plus various settings, and I'm sure there are other things and little tweaks I'm forgetting. It would be a lot of work just to get one icon link back. Frankly, if that's the case, I will probably just have to live without it. I have to think there is a more direct approach to this issue and someone out there knows what it is. I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who has any ideas of things I could try. Perhaps one of the FF engineers could make a suggestion. I love FF and I'd love to get it back the way it was.
Hi Barry, assuming you are not using Sync to move bookmarks between profiles, could you try restoring a bookmark backup to the new profile and see whether the bar still looks good. Here's how:
(1) In your regular profile, use the Backup... feature to generate a .json file of your bookmarks. Save this in a convenient location such as your Downloads or Documents folder.
(2) In your new profile, use the Restore > Choose File feature to apply that fresh backup.
The following article has the details on both steps: Restore bookmarks from backup or move them to another computer.
Hi JScher- Thanks for responding. I thought I was being ghosted.
As I started to do what you suggested, I noticed that in my current profile I have only 2 lines at the top of my screen: one for tabs and the second for everything else. In the new profile I created there are three lines. (Please see attached screen shots.) I searched for how to manage the number of lines, but couldn't find anything relevant. I think I used to have 3 lines in my current profile and I'm thinking maybe this is somehow connected to my problem with the missing "Other bookmarks" link. I feel foolish asking this, but please tell me how to add a line to my current profile to make it like the new profile. Then I'll finish with the rest of what you wanted me to do. Thanks.
Chosen Solution
I think the Bookmarks Toolbar -- the empty bar -- is there but it isn't displaying the expected contents. Could you go back to Customize mode and reconfirm that "Bookmarks Toolbar Items" is at the left end of that bar and, if it's not, try to locate it and move it there.
KUDOS to YOU!!!!!!! Following your advice, not only did this restore my third line, but it also magically brought back my missing "Other Bookmarks" link to the right of my overflow arrows. (Please see attached screen shot.) Thank you for staying with me on this and seeing it to a successful conclusion after 9 frustrating days. I was afraid you might give up on this, but you didn't. Today is a happy day!!!!
I also want to thank core-el for his help in ruling out a lot of other possibilities that led to finding this solution. You provide a wonderful service and it's much appreciated. -Barry