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.

How do I fix "profile missing" error on a Mac?

  • 1 reply
  • 2 have this problem
  • 3 views
  • Last reply by John99

mwrites
mwrites
more options

When I try to launch Firefox on my MacBook Pro, I get the message that it can't load because my "profile" may be missing. I saw that I could delete the "profiles.ini" folder, but this is not in my Library.

I have tried to shut down and restart my computer, and I also tried to uninstall and download Firefox again, but I still get the same error message. Can you help me?

Thanks! Marcus

When I try to launch Firefox on my MacBook Pro, I get the message that it can't load because my "profile" may be missing. I saw that I could delete the "profiles.ini" folder, but this is not in my Library. I have tried to shut down and restart my computer, and I also tried to uninstall and download Firefox again, but I still get the same error message. Can you help me? Thanks! Marcus

All Replies (1)

John99
John99
more options

profiles.ini is a file not a folder, and it should be in your Firefox folder above the Firefox profile folder.

You could have more than one profile. Firefox will often try to recreate a profile.ini file or a profile when it runs into problems. You could have a profile.ini that is hidden or you have not yet found it. If that file is wrong and points at a locked, inaccessible or none existent location you may have a problem that Firefox can not solve by itself.

Have another look for profiles.ini but when you find it rename it (maybe profiles.ini.faulty) that should be enough for Firefox to recreate a profile.ini , a profile & be able to start again.

The file profile.ini is short and the content of the now renamed file ought to give you a clue as to what is happening.