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.

Firefox No longer Loads - Profile Missing - Mac OS Mavericks

  • 5 replies
  • 32 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by cor-el

samah.sohrab
samah.sohrab
more options

I have Mac OS Mavericks 10.9

I attempted to run Firefox, and I got the error "Your Firefox profile cannot be loaded. It may be missing or inaccessible."

I read through the documentation, and I uninstalled Firefox, I also removed the profile. /Applications/ - deleted Firefox /Library - no firefox /Users/<username>/Library/Application Support/ - deleted Mozilla and Firefox folders

Then I downloaded Firefox25.dmg and installed it. I still get the same error. And there is no longer a Firefox or Mozilla folder under the Users/Library folder

I am using Chrome, as I can no longer use Firefox. So there is no troubleshooting information.

I have Mac OS Mavericks 10.9 I attempted to run Firefox, and I got the error "Your Firefox profile cannot be loaded. It may be missing or inaccessible." I read through the documentation, and I uninstalled Firefox, I also removed the profile. /Applications/ - deleted Firefox /Library - no firefox /Users/<username>/Library/Application Support/ - deleted Mozilla and Firefox folders Then I downloaded Firefox25.dmg and installed it. I still get the same error. And there is no longer a Firefox or Mozilla folder under the Users/Library folder I am using Chrome, as I can no longer use Firefox. So there is no troubleshooting information.

Chosen solution

Thank you. I was unable to find Firefox in the Process Monitor or in the Activity Monitor. But a reboot fixed the issue.

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (5)

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

This happens when there is a profiles.ini file, but the default profiles listed in this file is missing.

You can use the Profile Manager to create a new profile.

See "Creating a profile":

If the new profile works then you can transfer some files from an existing profile (in case there is still one) to the new profile, but be cautious not to copy corrupted files to avoid carrying over the problem.

samah.sohrab
samah.sohrab Question owner
more options

I'm sorry but this does not solve my issue.

There is No profile folder for the profile.ini. The ~/Library/Application Support/ folder does not contain Mozilla or Firefox.

Also, when I attempt to run the Profile Manager using the following command: /Applications/Firefox.app/Contents/MacOS/firefox -profilemanager

I still get the same error or Profile missing or inaccessible.

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

Note that the ~/Library is a hidden folder.

If you also get this error when you try to launch the Profile Manager via a terminal window then that would indicate that Firefox is running some how and you may need to check that in the process monitor or reboot the computer.

samah.sohrab
samah.sohrab Question owner
more options

Chosen Solution

Thank you. I was unable to find Firefox in the Process Monitor or in the Activity Monitor. But a reboot fixed the issue.

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

You're welcome