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

Cuireadh an snáithe seo sa chartlann. Cuir ceist nua má tá cabhair uait.

I am receiving a "couldn't load XPCOM" error. I know that I can reinstall Firefox but how do I save my bookmarks?

  • 4 fhreagra
  • 400 leis an bhfadhb seo
  • 1 view
  • Freagra is déanaí ó cor-el

more options

I am receiving a "couldn't load XPCOM" error. I know that I can reinstall Firefox but when I went to do that it erased all of my bookmarks so I did a system restore. How do I save my bookmarks?

I am receiving a "couldn't load XPCOM" error. I know that I can reinstall Firefox but when I went to do that it erased all of my bookmarks so I did a system restore. How do I save my bookmarks?

Réiteach roghnaithe

Do a clean reinstall and delete the Firefox program folder before (re)installing a fresh copy of the current Firefox release.

If possible uninstall your current Firefox version to cleanup the Windows registry and settings in security software.

  • Do NOT remove "personal data" when you uninstall your current Firefox version, because this will remove all profile folders and you lose personal data like bookmarks and passwords including data in profiles created by other Firefox versions.

Remove the Firefox program folder before installing that newly downloaded copy of the Firefox installer.

  • (32 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\"
  • (64 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\"

Your bookmarks and other personal data are stored in the Firefox profile folder and won't be affected by an uninstall and (re)install, but make sure NOT to remove personal data when you uninstall Firefox as that will remove all Firefox profile folders and you lose your personal data.

If you keep having problems then also create a new profile.


Read this answer in context 👍 9

All Replies (4)

more options

You can backup your data by following these directions: Back up and restore information in Firefox profiles

more options

Réiteach Roghnaithe

Do a clean reinstall and delete the Firefox program folder before (re)installing a fresh copy of the current Firefox release.

If possible uninstall your current Firefox version to cleanup the Windows registry and settings in security software.

  • Do NOT remove "personal data" when you uninstall your current Firefox version, because this will remove all profile folders and you lose personal data like bookmarks and passwords including data in profiles created by other Firefox versions.

Remove the Firefox program folder before installing that newly downloaded copy of the Firefox installer.

  • (32 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\"
  • (64 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\"

Your bookmarks and other personal data are stored in the Firefox profile folder and won't be affected by an uninstall and (re)install, but make sure NOT to remove personal data when you uninstall Firefox as that will remove all Firefox profile folders and you lose your personal data.

If you keep having problems then also create a new profile.


more options

I reinstalled, it still wont open.

more options

Hi rrfny

You need to make sure to delete the Firefox program folder to remove all the files that are possibly leftover after uninstalling.

Also make sure that your security software isn't causing problems with installing Firefox.

Boot the computer in Windows Safe mode with network support (press F8 on the boot screen) as a test to see if that helps.