Fix login issues on websites that require a username and password

Firefox Firefox Last updated: 29% of users voted this helpful

If you find that you can't log in to a website that requires a username and password, follow the steps described in this article.

Enable cookies for the website

Make sure that cookies are enabled for the site in question.

If you changed any settings, try logging in to the site again.

Clear history for that site

The cookies and temporary data already stored on your computer may be causing the problem. Delete them, then test for your problem:

  1. Click the menu button Fx89menuButton to open the menu panel. Click History and then click the Manage history bar at the bottom to open the Library window.
  2. At the top right corner, type the name of the website you wish to forget in the Search History field, and press EnterReturn.
  3. In the resulting list, right-clickhold down the Ctrl key while you click on the site you wish to forget, and select Forget About This Site.
    History Win6

    History Mac6

    History Lin6
  4. Close the Library window.

Clear all cookies and the cache

If deleting cookies for the site with the problem did not fix the error, clear all the cookies stored on your computer and clear the Firefox cache:

  1. Click the menu button Fx89menuButton to open the menu panel.
  2. Click History and select Clear recent history…
  3. In the Time range to clear: drop-down, select Everything.
  4. Below the drop-down menu, select both Cookies and Cache. Make sure other items you want to keep are not selected.
  5. Click Clear Now.
  1. Click the menu button Fx89menuButton to open the menu panel.
  2. Click History and select Clear recent history…
  3. In the When: drop-down, select Everything.
  4. Below the drop-down menu, select both Cookies and site data and Temporary cached files and pages. Make sure other items you want to keep are not selected.
  5. Click Clear.
To learn more about clearing cookies, site data and cached web content in Firefox, see Clear cookies and site data in Firefox.

Check add-ons

Some extensions can cause problems with logging in to websites, especially extensions associated with certain websites. See Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems.

Security application is blocking cookies

Some Internet security and privacy applications have features that block cookies. Check the documentation that came with your software or visit the software provider's support site, to see if your application includes a cookie control feature and how you can change those settings.

Remove corrupt cookies file

If you can't log in to websites after removing the cookies associated with it, clearing your Firefox cache, and trying with your extensions and plugins disabled, and have checked security software, you may have a corrupt cookies file in your Firefox profile folder.

This will remove all your stored cookies and essentially log you out of all saved sessions on all websites.
  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 cookies.sqlite file and any cookies.sqlite-journal files.
  4. Restart Firefox.




Includes information from Websites report cookies are disabled (mozillaZine KB)

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