firefox profile cannot be loaded it may be missing or inaccessible WINDOWS 8
I have a Windows 8 OS running on a PC. I have been using Firefox as my browser for several months. Suddenly, when I try to load Firefox, I get an error message, "Your Firefox profile cannot be loaded. It may be missing or inaccessible." I have uninstalled and reinstalled Firefox version 21.0 twice, and still get the same error message. How do I get to the profile.ini file using Windows 8, and what am I supposed to do when I ever get there?
Chosen solution
It might be best to do a clean reinstall and delete the Firefox program folder in case some items are located in the Firefox program folder and those may be use to initialize a new profile.
Note that Windows hides some file extensions by default.
Among them are .html and .ini and .js and .txt, so you may only see a name without file extension.
You can see the real file type if you open the Properties via the right-click context menu
You can find the full version of the latest Firefox 22.0 release in all languages and for all Operating Systems here:
Also create a new profile.
You can transfer some files from an existing profile to the new profile, but be careful not to copy corrupted files.
Read this answer in context 👍 2All Replies (5)
There are a few steps to try.
First, try resetting Firefox: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/reset-firefox-easily-fix-most-problems
If this doesn’t solve the problem, trying using the Firefox Profile Manager to remove your old profile and create a new one manually: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profile-manager-create-and-remove-firefox-profiles
If this still doesn’t work, try deleting the profile.ini file to force Firefox to create a new default profile:
- Make sure that Firefox is closed
- Press Windows key+R to open the Run box
- Type: %APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox
- Click “OK”
- Delete the file called “profile.ini”
- Run Firefox again
bram, the last solution that you suggested (Press Windows key+R) worked, except there was no profile.ini file. There was a Profile folder that I deleted completely. Then, when I tried running Firefox, I had to answer a few questions, and then Firefox 22 downloaded. Unfortunately, now I'm stuck with a bunch of Yahoo stuff that I didn't expect, but at least Firefox is running again. Thanks. squidbrain9
It sounds like you were downloading Firefox from an unoriginal source, and it was bundled with toolbars and possible malwares.
To restore Firefox to its original setting, you can perform Firefox Reset. The search engine will be reset to its default value (Google, but you can change this later) and all extensions will be removed.
I hope this helps solve your remaining problem!
Chosen Solution
It might be best to do a clean reinstall and delete the Firefox program folder in case some items are located in the Firefox program folder and those may be use to initialize a new profile.
Note that Windows hides some file extensions by default.
Among them are .html and .ini and .js and .txt, so you may only see a name without file extension.
You can see the real file type if you open the Properties via the right-click context menu
You can find the full version of the latest Firefox 22.0 release in all languages and for all Operating Systems here:
Also create a new profile.
You can transfer some files from an existing profile to the new profile, but be careful not to copy corrupted files.
Modified by cor-el
Cor-el and Bram, thanks for all your help. squidbrain9