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history and bookmarks lost

  • 15 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 2 views
  • Last reply by Vici

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This only started happening recently and it's driving me nuts! Everything works fine and then suddenly my history for 'Today' is completely wiped - even sites that are saved in my bookmarks. However, sites that I've visited before 'Today' are fine. I then have to restore my history and bookmarks to get them back. I've done a complete re-installation of Firefox and I still have this problem. What is going on? The only program I've updated recently is Advanced SystemCare from 6 to 7.0 Pro and I'm wondering if a setting in this program is causing the problem. If anyone could help me, I would really appreciate it.

This only started happening recently and it's driving me nuts! Everything works fine and then suddenly my history for 'Today' is completely wiped - even sites that are saved in my bookmarks. However, sites that I've visited before 'Today' are fine. I then have to restore my history and bookmarks to get them back. I've done a complete re-installation of Firefox and I still have this problem. What is going on? The only program I've updated recently is Advanced SystemCare from 6 to 7.0 Pro and I'm wondering if a setting in this program is causing the problem. If anyone could help me, I would really appreciate it.

All Replies (15)

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Problems with bookmarks and history not working properly can be caused by a corrupted places.sqlite database file.

You can check for problems with the places.sqlite database file in the Firefox profile folder.

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Bookmarks_history_and_toolbar_buttons_not_working_-_Firefox https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Bookmarks+not+saved#w_fix-the-bookmarks-file If you use the Time Machine then you can try to restore and older copy of the places.sqlite file.

http://www.apple.com/support/timemachine/ http://kb.mozillazine.org/Backing_up_and_restoring_bookmarks_-_Firefox http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox

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Thanks. I've just checked my places.sqlite database files and I have 2 profiles in AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles - should I delete one of them? And if so, which one?

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Does anyone else have any other suggestions? I did another complete re-installation of Firefox and I still have this problem. I have noticed that just before my history and bookmarks are wiped my Hard drive light stays on and then when it goes back to normal. BOOM! Everything is gone. I'm using a SSD for my OS, could this be the problem, but if so, why now? I've been using Firefox for years and never had this happen to me before. If anyone could help me resolve this issue, I would really appreciate it.

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You can use this button to go to the current Firefox profile folder:

  • Help > Troubleshooting Information > Profile Directory: Show Folder (Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder)

You can temporarily move the places.sqlite file out of that folder or rename the file (places.sqlite.sav) and delete all other places.sqlite files if there are still left any after you have closed Firefox.
Firefox should rebuild the bookmarks from a JSON backup in the bookmarkbackups folder.

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OK, I'll give this a try. Thanks cor-el.

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You may want to avoid system cleaners or at least prevent it from accessing the Firefox profile folder in the future to prevent corruption to your profile.

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I'm using Advanced SystemCare 7.0 Pro which I've just recently updated to - I have Firefox unchecked for Privacy Sweep, but does anyone know if there is anything else in the Settings I should have unchecked?

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If it doesn't include Firefox you're Ok from this problem. Though using a system cleaner can introduce major issues for little gain.

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I see. Should I turn off Privacy Sweep completely?

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I'm not familiar with that software, but at least try exempting Firefox or turning off Privacy Sweep for a few days and see whether your history is preserved during that time.

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OK. I'll give that a try. Thanks for the help everyone.

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Thanks for the suggestions everyone, I've tried them all and unfortunately I'm still having this problem. :( However, I made a mistake - my bookmarks are not deleted just the history for 'Today'. This only started occurring when my browser updated to 25.0.1. Should I downgrade back to 25 or 24?

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Any other suggestions? This is really driving me insane!

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Did you delete all places.sqlite files?

In case you are using "Clear history when Firefox closes":

  • do not clear the Browsing History

Note that clearing "Site Preferences" clears all exceptions for cookies, images, pop-up windows, software installation, and passwords.


Boot the computer in Windows Safe mode with network support (press F8 on the boot screen) as a test to see if that helps.

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Thanks cor-el.

I kept a copy of all the places.sqlite files and then I deleted them.

I don't have my browser set to "Clear history when Firefox closes", so I'll boot my PC in safe mode and see what happens.