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Firefox restore tabs is operating but not selected

  • 3 replies
  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by cor-el

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Looking for a method to report this, see if it unique or widespread. Between a week and two ago, Firefox started restoring tabs of the previous sessions MOST but not all times I open FF for a new session. That option is not selected in my settings. I have activated that setting, closed the prog', relaunched it and deactivated the option with no change. Anybody got some insight into this? It's annoying of course but not end-of-world

Lyle D

Looking for a method to report this, see if it unique or widespread. Between a week and two ago, Firefox started restoring tabs of the previous sessions MOST but not all times I open FF for a new session. That option is not selected in my settings. I have activated that setting, closed the prog', relaunched it and deactivated the option with no change. Anybody got some insight into this? It's annoying of course but not end-of-world Lyle D

All Replies (3)

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If the browser crashed or did not close properlly, it will restore the last session. This is how the browser is set up.

Make sure you close the browser using; Windows: Menu > File > Exit Mac: Menu > Firefox > Quit Firefox Linux: Menu > File > Quit

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

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


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

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.

Windows: Show Folder; Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder

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.

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Use one of these to close Firefox if you are currently doing that by clicking the close X on the Firefox Title bar, especially if you have multiple windows open to prevent losing tabs in unnoticed windows.

  • "3-bar" menu button -> Exit (Power button)
  • Windows: File -> Exit
  • Mac: Firefox -> Quit Firefox
  • Linux: File -> Quit