Upgraded to the latest Firefox, Bookmarks and Profile Gone & Won't Import
I made the mistake of upgrading to the most recent Firefox version today and discovered that my bookmarks and profile completely disappeared. I did not manually delete them at any point, they just vanished. The bookmark window is completely empty and any attempts I've made to either restore an earlier bookmark file, or import the bookmark file I saved on my desktop (which, technically, was saved from Pale Moon, a Firefox alternative browser that has always been compatible before) only results in Firefox freezing and having to eventually be closed via the Task Manager. I even went back to an earlier version of Firefox (much earlier, 50.0.2), but that hasn't helped either. I'm running Windows 7, fyi. Firefox is useless to me without bookmarks. How do I fix this?
Modified by Alikhat
Chosen solution
You can check if you have an "Old Firefox Data" folder on the desktop in case the Refresh feature in Firefox has been used and a new profile has been created.
If you use Sync then best is to disconnect Sync temporarily during troubleshooting.
You can check for problems with the places.sqlite database (bookmarks and history) in the Firefox profile folder.
- use "Verify Integrity" on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page
See also:
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Locked_or_damaged_places.sqlite
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/Bookmarks+not+saved#w_fix-the-bookmarks-file
If "Verify Integrity" on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page cannot repair places.sqlite then remove all places.sqlite files in the Firefox profile folder. Firefox will rebuild places.sqlite and restore the bookmarks from a 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
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Unable_to_process_the_backup_file_-_Firefox
You may have to restore a JSON backup from the bookmarkbackups folder within the "Old Firefox Data" folder on the desktop.
You can use the button on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page to go to the current Firefox profile folder or use the about:profiles page.
- Help -> Troubleshooting Information -> Profile Directory:
Windows: Show Folder; Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder - http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox
All Replies (4)
Hi, sorry that happened. It does though and this should always be done for the future :
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/back-and-restore-information-firefox-profiles
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/export-firefox-bookmarks-to-backup-or-transfer
Going back and forth was a bad idea as it could have corrupted things more as Profiles may or may not be Compatible any longer.
Have you done the opposite of export URL above ? Was there a folder on the desktop called oldfirefoxprofile ? Have you looked in the profile location to see if you have 2 ?
If there is you want the older file dated one. Contact back for help if found.
Chosen Solution
You can check if you have an "Old Firefox Data" folder on the desktop in case the Refresh feature in Firefox has been used and a new profile has been created.
If you use Sync then best is to disconnect Sync temporarily during troubleshooting.
You can check for problems with the places.sqlite database (bookmarks and history) in the Firefox profile folder.
- use "Verify Integrity" on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page
See also:
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Locked_or_damaged_places.sqlite
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/Bookmarks+not+saved#w_fix-the-bookmarks-file
If "Verify Integrity" on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page cannot repair places.sqlite then remove all places.sqlite files in the Firefox profile folder. Firefox will rebuild places.sqlite and restore the bookmarks from a 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
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Unable_to_process_the_backup_file_-_Firefox
You may have to restore a JSON backup from the bookmarkbackups folder within the "Old Firefox Data" folder on the desktop.
You can use the button on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page to go to the current Firefox profile folder or use the about:profiles page.
- Help -> Troubleshooting Information -> Profile Directory:
Windows: Show Folder; Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder - http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox
Sorry, I accidentally hit "NO" on the Was This Helpful button. Actually, thanks so much. Deleting places.sqlite did the trick. The browser reloaded with a restored file and, for some reason, I was then able to transfer the more recent bookmark file from my desktop. All's good now! Many thanks!
Hi Alikhat, you can mark cor-el's post as the solution or, considering that your summary is so brief and clear, you could mark your own reply as the solution.
- https://support.mozilla.org/questions/1222558#answer-1124694
- https://support.mozilla.org/questions/1222558#answer-1124720
I think there will be a link on the right side of the post, but since I haven't posted a question for a long time, I'm not sure any more!