Join the AMA (Ask Me Anything) with the Firefox leadership team to celebrate Firefox 20th anniversary and discuss Firefox’s future on Mozilla Connect. Mark your calendar on Thursday, November 14, 18:00 - 20:00 UTC!

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.

Avatar for Username

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

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

What can I do when my master password no longer works?

  • 1 reply
  • 3 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by cor-el

jdurhamrnbc
jdurhamrnbc
more options

My master password suddenly stopped working when I try to sign in. I've not forgotten my password and my caps lock is not on or anything else like that. Every time I enter my password, the browser prompts me again for the password. Can I reset my password?

My master password suddenly stopped working when I try to sign in. I've not forgotten my password and my caps lock is not on or anything else like that. Every time I enter my password, the browser prompts me again for the password. Can I reset my password?

All Replies (1)

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

Best is to first create a backup copy of the logins.json and key3.db files in the Firefox profile folder.

You can use this button to go to the current Firefox profile folder:

If you do not know/remember the current master password then your only option is to reset the master password. You will lose all passwords stored in the Password Manager when you reset the master password. If you think that there is still a chance that you might remember the MP and want to give it another try in the future in a new profile then you can backup the logins.json and key3.db files in the Firefox profile folder.

If the chrome URL (chrome://pippki/content/resetpassword.xul) isn't working then delete the logins.json and key3.db files in the Firefox profile folder.

You lose all passwords stored in the Password Manager if you reset the Master Password by using the chrome URL or delete the logins.json and key3.db files.

If you still have the signons.sqlite file used in older Firefox versions then it is possible to import passwords stored in this file in case they are still of use. You can do that by resetting signon.importedFromSqlite on the about:config page and deleting the logins.json file with Firefox closed.