First, let's make a backup:

Open the Bookmarks Manager; Press the Alt or F10 key to bring up the toolbar, and select Bookmarks. Hot key is <Control> (Mac=<Command>) <Shift> B.

Once the window is open, at the top of the page, press the button labeled Import and Backup. Select Export Bookmarks To HTML, and follow the prompts and save it to a HTML file. Copy the file to another computer/profile. Repeat the instructions above, BUT select Import Bookmarks From HTML.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/restore-bookmarks-from-backup-or-move-them

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/recover-lost-or-missing-bookmarks

[v57+] Places Maintenance is built into Firefox.

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

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

When done, copy and post the results here.

Hi - I can't seem to backup and export my bookmarks. I followed the instructions in your previous email and got the export screen up but then nothing happened. I tried exporting to my dropbox folder and also to a USB stick and nothing appeared in either. I can't actually save any new bookmarks now so nothing is working properly.

What do you suggest?

Did you run Places Maintenance?

No, don't think so - not sure what that is.

I found it and tried verify integrity and got this > Task: checkIntegrity - Unable to check favicons.sqlite integrity: [Exception... "Could not open connection to /Users/gabriellehadley/Library/Application Support/Firefox/Profiles/vbamu8k0.default-1539340310264/favicons.sqlite: 2153971713" nsresult: "0x80630001 (NS_ERROR_STORAGE_BUSY)" location: "JS frame :: resource://gre/modules/Sqlite.jsm :: openConnection/</< :: line 992" data: no] > Task: invalidateCaches - The task queue was cleared by an error in another task. > Task: checkCoherence - The task queue was cleared by an error in another task. > Task: expire - The task queue was cleared by an error in another task. > Task: originFrecencyStats - The task queue was cleared by an error in another task. > Task: vacuum - The task queue was cleared by an error in another task. > Task: stats - The task queue was cleared by an error in another task. > Task: _refreshUI - The task queue was cleared by an error in another task.

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

In case errors are reported with "Verify Integrity", close and restart Firefox and retry.

See also:

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Locked_or_damaged_places.sqlite
• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/Bookmarks+not+saved#w_fix-the-bookmarks-file

If "Verify Integrity" button on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page cannot repair places.sqlite then remove all places.sqlite files in the Firefox profile folder. 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
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Unable_to_process_the_backup_file_-_Firefox

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:preferences page.

• Help -> Troubleshooting Information -> Profile Directory:
  Windows: Show Folder; Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox

I closed Firefox and restarted it and I can now edit my bookmarks so many thanks for the help