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EMPTY FOLDERS IN MY BOOKMARKS

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by FredMcD

Makzy
Makzy
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ARRrrrrrrrr, my worst nightmare.....Logged into FF to make a new folder inside one of my bookmarks to add new software only to find the folders empty. All the folders in some of my bookmarks are there it is just that they are all empty. I have many years of work in these bookmarks now lost. Is there a way to find them and bring them back’?

I did think of deleting my FF account and re-installing it but was afraid I may lose the rest of my folders inside my bookmarks. I changed over to google and luckily my folders are still there, unless I get my folders back, I will be switching and ditching FF to google MM

ARRrrrrrrrr, my worst nightmare.....Logged into FF to make a new folder inside one of my bookmarks to add new software only to find the folders empty. All the folders in some of my bookmarks are there it is just that they are all empty. I have many years of work in these bookmarks now lost. Is there a way to find them and bring them back’? I did think of deleting my FF account and re-installing it but was afraid I may lose the rest of my folders inside my bookmarks. I changed over to google and luckily my folders are still there, unless I get my folders back, I will be switching and ditching FF to google MM
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jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 25 Contributor
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Please do not delete anything.

If you haven't already, please exit Firefox normally, and then do a normal shutdown/restart of Windows. The goal here is to release any file locks that could be affecting bookmarks.

Assuming the problem continues:

Let's check whether the bookmarks moved somewhere else.

Could you open the Library window using Ctrl+Shift+O ("O" as in Organizer).

At the upper right is a search box. Try searching for a bookmark that is missing from one of your toolbar folders. If you find it, right-click that bookmark and click "Show in folder" so Firefox highlights the current folder in the left column.

Any luck finding them somewhere else?

If not, I suggest making two backups for safety:

(1) JSON-format Backup file. This article has the steps in the Manual Backup section: Restore bookmarks from backup or move them to another computer

(2) HTML-format Export file. This article has the steps: Export Firefox bookmarks to an HTML file to back up or transfer bookmarks

Then:

(3) If you use Sync (your Firefox is connected to a Firefox Account), try turning off bookmark sync temporarily. On the Settings page, Sync panel, there should be a checkbox for that.

(4) If you use the Default Bookmark Folder add-on, disable that temporarily on the Add-ons page (Ctrl+Shift+A, Extensions list). Otherwise, the next suggestion will truly wreck it.

(5) Try restoring a recent bookmark backup from the Restore menu. This article has the steps: Restore bookmarks from backup or move them to another computer.

FredMcD
FredMcD
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If you have sync, and there is a problem anywhere, Shut Down Sync Immediately On All Devices to prevent the problem from spreading. Type https://accounts.firefox.com/settings<enter> in the address box. Once the problem is fixed, perform the same repair on all computers/profiles before using sync again.


[v57+] Places Maintenance is built into Firefox.

Type about:support<enter> in the address box.

You will find Places Database near the bottom. Press the Verify Integrity button.

If any errors are reported: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/fix-bookmarks-and-history-will-not-be-functional

The places.sqlite file contains your History and Bookmarks. And it looks like it is corrupted.

Type about:support<enter> in the address box.

Under the page logo on the left side, you will see Application Basics. Under this find Profile Folder. To its right press the button Show Folder. This will open your file browser to the current Firefox profile. Now Close Firefox.

Locate the above file. Then rename or delete it. Restart Firefox. The browser should then create a new place.sqlite and recover your bookmarks from the backup files.

Note: Your history is not backed up and will be lost.