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.

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

New copy of Firefox doesn't retain passwords for secure login addon

  • 13 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 21 views
  • Last reply by old-geezer

more options

Hard drive crash meant new computer. Saved profile, per instructions to thumb drive and pasted on new computer in Mozilla profiles folder. BUT still doesn't save passwords or cookies of secure web sites. What am I missing? Both old and new computer are W7 Pro 64 bit. Long time user of Firefox with Secure Login add-on.

Hard drive crash meant new computer. Saved profile, per instructions to thumb drive and pasted on new computer in Mozilla profiles folder. BUT still doesn't save passwords or cookies of secure web sites. What am I missing? Both old and new computer are W7 Pro 64 bit. Long time user of Firefox with Secure Login add-on.

All Replies (13)

more options

If an extension isn't working properly then you need to contact its creator for support.

more options

Actually, the passwords don't even show up in Firefox password manager. Therefore they are not available for use anywhere. I have two machines, one in each office, home and business, only the new one ( business office) doesn't save login info.

more options

Does Firefox offer to store the password?

Do you have the logins.json and key3.db from the backup in the current profile folder?

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

more options

I believe in the affirmative for both files. Sadly I won't know for sure until Monday. And NO it doesn't ask if I want to store passwords. This computer is fine, it's the business computer that has the problem. I'll have an informed response on Monday.

more options

Yes, both files are present. BUT I also discovered I have two profiles for some reason and BOTH have the "subject" files. Is it likely the missing password data is in the profile not queried by FF? How do I change and or delete the "extra" profile... if that is the issue? Pardon my simplistic response and lack of technical vocabulary.

more options

You can check the content of both logins.json files to see if any contain the missing passwords

You can open the file in the Scratchpad (Firefox menu button or Tools > Web Developer). Click the "Pretty Print" button to format the file for readability.

more options

O.K. the one imported from my other computer has data in that file. Having found a viable profile folder, how do I install it and will it query me to retain passwords, which isn't happening now ( but does on my other computer so I know how it SHOULD work). Should I simply delete the "suspect" folder?

more options

You need to copy both logins.json and key3.db files to a profile folder to have access to the passwords stored in the logins.json file.

more options

Back a couple posts you queried whether FF "offered to store passwords" and the answer is still negative even after copying/replacing the relevant files with valid files. I'm baffled. Is there a setting I'm overlooking?

more options

Does Firefox offer to store passwords if you delete the two files (logins.json and key3.db) and let Firefox create new files?

  • Tools > Options > Security: Passwords: [X] "Remember passwords for sites"
more options

Copying teh files from my other computer did not work. HOWEVER, I discovered that in Tools/Options/Security under password dialog, the option boxes are "whited out "so i cannot access to affirm asking for passwords.

more options

Make sure that you do not run Firefox in permanent Private Browsing mode (Always use Private Browsing mode; never remember history).

  • Tools > Options > Privacy > Firefox will: "Use custom settings for history"
  • Deselect: [ ] "Always use Private Browsing mode"
more options

I am completely baffled as to what to tell you now. I copied/pasted the files you mentioned. I've also looked carefully at the working Firefox on my home office computer and made sure all the settings are correct.( That computer saves passwords and cookies). I'm beginning to think there is something else going on, but I don't know what. Firefox still doesn't ask for nor retain passwords OR cookies. I've looked in both folders and they are empty.