This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

unable to select "clear history" - it's greyed out & unselectable

  • 2 replies
  • 4 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by Redrock27

more options

I am unable to select "clear history" - it's greyed out & unselectable on my laptop. It only happens on my laptop, but shows my history for many months in the past and includes the history from both of my desktop computers which is supposedly cleared frequently. Sync is enable on all devices, and the history does not show on the desktops. I am able to clear the history on both desktop browsers but not the laptop. Laptop OS: Windows 7 Home Prem. I also have IE, Chrome, Safari installed.

I am unable to select "clear history" - it's greyed out & unselectable on my laptop. It only happens on my laptop, but shows my history for many months in the past and includes the history from both of my desktop computers which is supposedly cleared frequently. Sync is enable on all devices, and the history does not show on the desktops. I am able to clear the history on both desktop browsers but not the laptop. Laptop OS: Windows 7 Home Prem. I also have IE, Chrome, Safari installed.

Chosen solution

Make sure that you do not run Firefox in permanent Private Browsing mode (Never remember history).

  • Tools > Options > Privacy > Firefox will: "Use custom settings for history"
  • Deselect: [ ] "Always use Private Browsing mode"

You can check for problems with the places.sqlite database file in the Firefox profile folder.

Read this answer in context 👍 2

All Replies (2)

more options

Chosen Solution

Make sure that you do not run Firefox in permanent Private Browsing mode (Never remember history).

  • Tools > Options > Privacy > Firefox will: "Use custom settings for history"
  • Deselect: [ ] "Always use Private Browsing mode"

You can check for problems with the places.sqlite database file in the Firefox profile folder.

more options

Thank you cor-el. That's exactly what I needed to do. It sure seems a bit ironic to me though; deselect "Never Remember History" so that I am able to clear the history that has been remembered. Hmmm. Thanks again!