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Session restore doesn't restore all windows

  • 3 replies
  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by cor-el

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For a few weeks now, Firefox does no longer restore all my opened windows (+ tabs).

It very consitently fails to restore one (1) Window, which is also not to be found in History / Recently closed windows (or tabs); Recently closed windows consistently shows (empty).

If I close Firefox with 4 windows, it will restore next session with 3 windows. If I have 3 windows open, 2 will be restored... etc. etc. etc. The window that is not restored can't be predicted. It is not neccesarily the last window used, or open on full screen when close, or least used window... there is not any consistency here...

I am talking about normally closing Firefox, usually through Close all windows from the taskbar.

Where does my missing window go, why won't it restore my full session (check and rechecked all settings, they are correct!)?

For a few weeks now, Firefox does no longer restore all my opened windows (+ tabs). It very consitently fails to restore one (1) Window, which is also not to be found in History / Recently closed windows (or tabs); Recently closed windows consistently shows (empty). If I close Firefox with 4 windows, it will restore next session with 3 windows. If I have 3 windows open, 2 will be restored... etc. etc. etc. The window that is not restored can't be predicted. It is not neccesarily the last window used, or open on full screen when close, or least used window... there is not any consistency here... I am talking about normally closing Firefox, usually through Close all windows from the taskbar. Where does my missing window go, why won't it restore my full session (check and rechecked all settings, they are correct!)?

Chosen solution

Use one of these to close Firefox if you are currently doing that by clicking the close X on the Firefox Title bar.

  • "3-bar" menu button -> Exit (Power button)
  • Windows: File -> Exit
  • Mac: Firefox -> Quit Firefox
  • Linux: File -> Quit
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All Replies (3)

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You may have corrupt sessionstore [v56] sessionstore.jsonlz4 file(s). Delete all sessionstore* files and the sessionstore-backups folder.

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

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.

Windows: Show Folder; Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder

Linux: Under the page logo on the left side, you will see Application Basics. Under this find Profile Directory. To its right press the button Open Directory.

Locate the above file. Then rename or delete it. Restart Firefox.


Don't delete the files if you need to rescue any data from them, just move them out of the profile folder to some location where Firefox doesn't look for them. You can try to read out their contents using this tool: https://www.jeffersonscher.com/res/scrounger.html

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Unfortunately, it didn't help. I might just go an try uninstall en reinstall the whole thing... After writing down some pages/links I don't want to loose all over again.

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Chosen Solution

Use one of these to close Firefox if you are currently doing that by clicking the close X on the Firefox Title bar.

  • "3-bar" menu button -> Exit (Power button)
  • Windows: File -> Exit
  • Mac: Firefox -> Quit Firefox
  • Linux: File -> Quit