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 bookmarks

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 10 views
  • Last reply by cor-el

giuliorosati98
giuliorosati98
more options

hi from italy, i'm having a problem with the bookmark's backup file. after the windows update all my bookmarks are gone, and i can't even save new ones i've followed the guide for the backup file for my bookmarks, but when i click it, the message "unable to restore backup files" appears, "Impossibile elaborare il file di backup." in italian. i don't know what to do, i'm everything but a computer guy, i saved some important sites and now i can't find them, i really need your help thanks

hi from italy, i'm having a problem with the bookmark's backup file. after the windows update all my bookmarks are gone, and i can't even save new ones i've followed the guide for the backup file for my bookmarks, but when i click it, the message "unable to restore backup files" appears, "Impossibile elaborare il file di backup." in italian. i don't know what to do, i'm everything but a computer guy, i saved some important sites and now i can't find them, i really need your help thanks

All Replies (2)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 25 Contributor
more options

Unfortunately, this sometimes indicates a corrupt database, but sometimes it is just a locked file.

If you haven't already, try a regular shut down and restart of Windows to release file locks and complete any deferred updates.

If the problem continues, could you let us know what you get when you run the "Verify Integrity" function. That's here:

Open Firefox's Troubleshooting Information page using any of these methods:

  • "3-bar" menu button > "?" Help > Troubleshooting Information
  • (menu bar) Help > Troubleshooting Information
  • type or paste about:support in the address bar and press Enter

Near the bottom, there is a section titled Places Database -- that's the file which stores history and bookmarks. Click the button labeled Verify Integrity. There may be a 10-15 second delay before results appear.

If all is well, the report that appears below the button should start with: 

> Task: checkIntegrity
+ The places.sqlite database is sane
+ The favicons.sqlite database is sane

Does yours sound positive, or report failures? You can select and copy the report, and then paste it into a reply for review and comment.

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

If you use Sync then best is to disconnect Sync temporarily during troubleshooting.

This can be caused by a problem with the places.sqlite and favicons.sqlite databases in the Firefox profile folder.

If "Verify Integrity" cannot repair places.sqlite, rename/remove all places.sqlite and favicons.sqlite files in the Firefox profile folder with Firefox closed. Firefox will rebuild places.sqlite and restore the bookmarks from a recent JSON backup in the bookmarkbackups folder.

  • keep a backup copy of places.sqlite in case a new places.sqlite database has to be created

See also:

You can use the button on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page to go to the current Firefox profile folder or use the about:profiles page.