Just downloaded an update. All bookmarks are lost. I tried to restore a backup, but got message "cannot process backup file." Help!
I have tried various suggestions in threads, but none work so far. Specifically: (1) tried the Restore option from the menu. My files are listed there but I get the "Cannot restore backup file" error no matter which backup file I choose. (2) I tried the Select file option, navigated to the "Old Firefox" file and hand selected the bookmark backup. Same error as in (1). I have important bookmarks. Please help! I never would have upgraded if I thought my bookmarks would be inaccessible.
All Replies (3)
Type about:profiles in the URL bar and hit Enter.
How many Profiles do you have? If more than one, try using the Load profile in new browser to see if your Bookmarks and other user data are there.
If you use Sync then best is to disconnect Sync temporarily during troubleshooting.
You can check for problems with the places.sqlite and favicons.sqlite files in the Firefox profile folder.
- use "Verify Integrity" button on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page
In case errors are reported with "Verify Integrity" close and restart Firefox and retry.
If "Verify Integrity" cannot repair places.sqlite, rename/remove all places.sqlite and favicons.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
See also:
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/Bookmarks+not+saved#w_fix-the-bookmarks-file
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/fix-bookmarks-and-history-will-not-be-functional
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 Folder/Directory:
Windows: Show Folder; Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder - https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/Profiles
Interestingly, I was able to load my Firefox bookmarks, history, etc. into Chrome with no problems whatsoever. My husband has been urging me to use Chrome, so this is goodbye to Firefox. It should not be bizarrely difficult to reload this personal data after an update or synch. Also, I resent the email suggesting that I synch without giving me enough information or warning that it can cause problems. I should not have to be a programmer to solve this problem (though that was my career.) Thanks to those who tried to help.