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My bookmarks are lost and Firefox is unable to restore from backup with this error msg "Unable to process the backup file.". Someone please help.

  • 7 replies
  • 22 have this problem
  • 6 views
  • Last reply by derror

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I am using Firefox 12 on my Macbook Pro, it crashed and when I restarted, all my bookmarks have disappeared. When I tried to restore them from the backup files, it keeps coming up with "Unable to process the backup file." Someone please help as I would have lost years of bookmarks.

Thank you

I am using Firefox 12 on my Macbook Pro, it crashed and when I restarted, all my bookmarks have disappeared. When I tried to restore them from the backup files, it keeps coming up with "Unable to process the backup file." Someone please help as I would have lost years of bookmarks. Thank you

Chosen solution

Hi guys, I also experienced this issue and based on previous explanation in one of the threads here I got to the following artilce - http://kb.mozillazine.org/Unable_to_process_the_backup_file_-_Firefox

I myself removed only the places.sqlite and places.sqlite.corrupt files from the profile directory and was able to successfully import my bookmarks from the backup file.

Read this answer in context 👍 3

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Have you not synchronized your bookmarks with Firefox Sync?

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I also forgot to mention that it will also not allow me to save any new bookmarks.

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I have tried to sync, but there is always an error when syncing. This message always pops up when I try to sync "Sync encountered an error while syncing: Unknown error. Sync will automatically retry this action."

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You are saying that you have saved your bookmarks by exporting it using bookmarks manager?

If this is the case, then simply reinstall firefox and try to import bookmarks. Remember to completely uninstall firefox : How to Uninstall

Modified by Himanshu Garg

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No I have not exported my bookmarks. I have been trying to retrieve my bookmarks using the restore function after they had disappeared.

If I uninstall Firefox completely, that would also delete all and any backup bookmarks files, wouldn't it?

Modified by derror

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Chosen Solution

Hi guys, I also experienced this issue and based on previous explanation in one of the threads here I got to the following artilce - http://kb.mozillazine.org/Unable_to_process_the_backup_file_-_Firefox

I myself removed only the places.sqlite and places.sqlite.corrupt files from the profile directory and was able to successfully import my bookmarks from the backup file.

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Hi Koff,

Thanks for that advice, it solved my bookmark problem!!!!!! Thank you so much!!!!