Please check if the file exists in the download directory. Just so you know, clear downloads actually clears the completed download history not delete them. And if the problem persists try resetting to defaults - https://goo.gl/9iH8U1

Thanks. But what do you mean 'check if the file exists in the download directory' when I've already cleared the history?

I assume that 'clear downloads' is supposed to merely get rid of old downloads listed in order to clear up a cluttered window and not the actual files themselves.

I wanted to add that I also had files downloading in progress disappear as well. For example. I'm d/ling a rar file. It shows up as two parts as its downloading.... the rar and a 'part2' file. If I happen to hit 'clear downloads', not only has the old detritus been removed, but sometimes the 'part2' of the two rar files disappears. Then when I see that its d/l has been completed, the rar is flippin' GONE from my desktop (this is where I have my d/l's go to, btw)

So in short, the only thing I should do is reset Firefox I guess

Yes, you must reset then.

Ok, thanks.  :)

I'll do that after when my current d/l finishes. Then I'll give it a few days . If it works I'll mark it solved

Do you have any download related extensions because Firefox has never removed the actual files. I'm not sure what happens if you would remove all download while downloads are in progress, but I don't think that is a good idea and better is to wait until downloads are finished. If the actual files disappear then it is more likely that you have cleanup software removing them or files end up in the temp folder. If open or open containing folder for a download is disabled then the file is no longer in the original download location.

Note that downloads are part of the history and expire automatically in 60 days.

Not that I know of. The only add ons I use is an ad blocker really.

Sometimes I've looked in the temp folder because when I tried searching for an items location, it'd send me there but then clicking on it is telling me 'the original file or shortcut blah blah blah can't be located'.

In the past, I'd look for a file on my desktop I know I had downloaded but I can't see it. I thought I'm going senile and just thought I d/l'd. lol

But recently its happens a lot and I watch one file disappear virtually in front of my eyes. I just did a reset and I'll see what happens. 'Clear Downloads' should be in no shape or form the literal deleting of an actual file off your computer. Its just to clear out a messy download manager window.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-to-fix-preferences-wont-save but do this 1st : https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/export-firefox-bookmarks-to-backup-or-transfer

Please let us know if this solved your issue or if need further assistance.

Still a bit dodgy. I'll just have to be more careful