Downloads window is blank

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If you notice that when you open the Where to find and manage downloaded files in Firefox its list of downloads is blank, follow the instructions in this article.


For other downloading problems:


Set Firefox to retain download history

If you open the Downloads window by clicking the Tools menu and selecting Downloads, and there are no entries listed, it may be because you have not set Firefox to remember what you've downloaded.

  1. In the Menu bar at the top of the screen, click Firefox and then select Preferences or Settings, depending on your macOS version.Click the menu button Fx89menuButton and select Settings.
  2. Select the Privacy panel.
  3. Set Firefox will: to Use custom settings for history.
  4. Check the box for Remember download history.
  5. Close the Settings page. Any changes you've made will automatically be saved.

After you close the OptionsPreferences window, Firefox will retain a list of files you download.

Note: To clear the list of downloads automatically when Firefox is closed, see the Delete browsing, search and download history on Firefox article.

If the list of downloads is still blank after following the above instructions, continue with the next set of instructions.


Reset toolbars and controls

If Firefox is set to remember what you've downloaded, but the downloads window remains blank:

Click the menu button Fx89menuButton, click Help, select Troubleshoot Mode… and click Restart in the Restart Firefox in Troubleshoot Mode? dialog.

Note: You can also start Firefox in Troubleshoot Mode by holding down the Shift key while starting Firefox.holding down the option key while starting Firefox.quitting Firefox and then going to your Terminal and running: firefox -safe-mode
You may need to specify the Firefox installation path (e.g. /usr/lib/firefox).

  1. In the Firefox Safe Mode window, select Reset toolbars and controls.

    3dd75ed695cb4a3fc158ec96882b445d-1259987881-768-1.png



    downloadswindowisblank-safemode-mac.png

  2. Click Make Changes and Restart.

This will reset your Firefox toolbars. To make changes to the toolbars, see Customize Firefox controls, buttons and toolbars article.

If the list of downloads is still blank after following the above instructions, continue with the next set of instructions.


Remove corrupt downloads file

If Firefox is set to remember what you've downloaded, but its list of downloads is still blank:

  1. Open your profile folder:

    • Click the menu button Fx89menuButton, click Help and select More Troubleshooting Information.From the Help menu, select More Troubleshooting Information. The Troubleshooting Information tab will open.
    • Under the Application Basics section next to Profile FolderProfile Directory, click Open FolderShow in FinderOpen Directory. A window will open that contains your profile folder.Your profile folder will open.Your profile folder will open.
    Note: If you are unable to open or use Firefox, follow the instructions in Finding your profile without opening Firefox.

  2. Click the Firefox menu Fx89menuButton and select Exit.Click the Firefox menu at the top of the screen and select Quit Firefox.Click the Firefox menu Fx89menuButton and select Quit.
  3. Delete the downloads.sqlite file.

When you start Firefox again, your downloads should be remembered in the Downloads window.


Further troubleshooting

If the downloads history list is still blank after performing the steps above:

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