Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web Link} by holding down the <Shift>
(Mac=Options) key, and then starting Firefox. Is the problem still there?

Hi FredMcD

Yes, I have tried FF Safe Mode, both ways - Shift and Start or from the Help Menu. Problem still remains!

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-to-fix-preferences-wont-save

Note: Some software, like Advanced SystemCare with Surfing Protection, can protect files in the Firefox profile folder against changes. If you have such software then check the settings or uninstall this software.

Start your Computer in safe mode with networking. Then start Firefox. Try Safe web sites. Is the problem still there?

Starting The Computer In Safe Mode;
Free Online Encyclopedia

No AV or surfing protection running!

Will try a reboot in SAFE mode later.

Thanks again Fred.

Have tried Safe mode - no change.

Do you know if there is a setting in about:config that controls the list length? I could then set that to zero and see what happens before reverting it to 15.

Thanks again for your time.

To open the History Manager, press the Alt or F10 key bring up the tool bar, and select History. Hot key is <Control>(Mac=<Command>) <Shift> H.

Is history being recorded okay?

Places Maintenance {web link} Allows to run Maintenance tasks on the database that drives Places, the bookmarks and history module behind Firefox.

Open the Add-ons Manager. Locate the add-on and press the Options button. Select All of the tests. Then press Execute on the bottom.

You can check for problems with the places.sqlite database file (bookmarks, history) in the Firefox profile folder.

• Places Maintenance: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/places-maintenance/

If the Places Maintenance extension can't repair the places.sqlite database file then remove all places.sqlite file(s) in the Firefox profile folder to make Firefox rebuild the places.sqlite database file from the most recent JSON backup in the bookmarkbackups 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

You can check for problems with the sessionstore.js file in the Firefox profile folder that stores session data. When sessionstore.js is deleted you lose App Tabs and Tab Groups and open tabs and you will have to recreate them, so if necessary make a note or bookmark them.

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)
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox

Thanks again Fred, I've been away from my PC for a day or so.

In the MAIN history file, Ctrl+Shift+H, everything is being recorded correctly and I can access information/pages from there. It is just the 15 entries on the first drop down that are stuck.

Places Maintenance - has been tried several time but will not resolve the issue.

I moved places.sqlite and restarted FF. That cured the problem, however all my old history disappears - which is not good, so I have brought the file back and have my History back but still the locked list.

Is there a parameter that controls the length of that list? Much the same as those which control the list of recently closed tabs - that had also stuck at one time and I changed te length twice and it resolved it.

Thanks again.

These can't get your data back, but will help in the future.

These add-ons can be a great help by backing up and restoring Firefox

FEBE (Firefox Environment Backup Extension) {web link} FEBE allows you to quickly and easily backup your Firefox extensions, history, passwords, and more. In fact, it goes beyond just backing up -- It will actually rebuild your saved files individually into installable .xpi files. It will also make backups of files that you choose.

OPIE {web link} Import/Export extension preferences

Use the add-ons above to save your current profile. Once done, Close Firefox, rename the places.sqlite file. Then restart Fiefox. Firefox will recover your bookmarks from backups. After, use FEBE to restore your history.

I'll give it a try later on today!

See also:

• https://developer.mozilla.org/Mozilla/Tech/Places/places.sqlite_Database_Troubleshooting

FredMcD said

Use the add-ons above to save your current profile. Once done, Close Firefox, rename the places.sqlite file. Then restart Fiefox. Firefox will recover your bookmarks from backups. After, use FEBE to restore your history.

Fred,

Tried this - however, for some reason FEBE hangs and after 10 minutes of high CPU activity I killed the process and returned the old places.sqlite.

I will try again to see if it changes.

I had this problem too after installing win 7 64-bit from 32bit then using sync. I don't know if I found the best solution but I was able to fix this only after deleting then creating a new local firefox profile(see [http://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profile-manager-create-and-remove-fi...] ) then copying over bookmarks and other saved stuff via the files they are saved to like places.sqlite (see [https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/recovering-important-data-from-an-ol...]). Be sure to copy the .sqlite files before deleting the profile, though it might back it up manually. not sure.

I hope this at least helps people figure out their own fix. I know how frustrating this was to fix since there's not really any info on the internet for this frozen history drop down menu problem.

Well, it is fixed!

Don't know how or why. A couple of days back I did an update to 43.0.2 and the problem was still there and I checked yesterday with the same result. Earlier today, I went to open a closed tab and noticed that the history was reflecting recent activity again!

I have done nothing else, so how it cured it ... no ideas.

It could have been a corrupt file that was overwritten.

FredMcD said

It could have been a corrupt file that was overwritten.

It could well have been, however trying to understand why after all this time ... no chance.

We tried, changes, edits, back up and restore, FF update and more ...