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Profile can't be loaded-Changed Profile Name, but the recommended Terminal search for that scenario doesn't turn anything up. Terminal says no such file exists

wags699
wags699
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In the process of cleaning out my files, I accidentally changed the name of my firefox backup folder. Since doing this, Firefox won't open. I get the "Your Firefox profile cannot be loaded. It may be missing or inaccessible" message. It's also possible that I put something in the trash that I shouldn't have, but I haven't emptied the trash and I restored everything from the wase basket since discovering the problem.

I tried doing the Terminal Search mozilla recommends (it's a mac) when you have renamed your Profile (and that is the presumed reason why Firefox can't open), but Terminal says there is no such file.

I did find the original fold that I changed in the Library. Is there anything I can do to fix this? Will all my bookmarks and profile info necessarily be lost?

Thanks

In the process of cleaning out my files, I accidentally changed the name of my firefox backup folder. Since doing this, Firefox won't open. I get the "Your Firefox profile cannot be loaded. It may be missing or inaccessible" message. It's also possible that I put something in the trash that I shouldn't have, but I haven't emptied the trash and I restored everything from the wase basket since discovering the problem. I tried doing the Terminal Search mozilla recommends (it's a mac) when you have renamed your Profile (and that is the presumed reason why Firefox can't open), but Terminal says there is no such file. I did find the original fold that I changed in the Library. Is there anything I can do to fix this? Will all my bookmarks and profile info necessarily be lost? Thanks

Chosen solution

Sorry please disregard that last post. I renamed the file pb9gynbr.default-1453260558091 and Firefox is up and running again. Thanks again for your help!

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All Replies (4)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 25 Contributor
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The folder path should be along these lines:

.../Application Support/Firefox/Profiles

In the Firefox folder (not the Profiles folder), look for a settings file named Profiles.ini and open that file in a text editor -- or open a copy of it, if you want to play it really safe.

If there are multiple entries, find the one with Default=1 and that is the profile folder name Firefox is looking for and not finding. Does that folder exist at this point in the Profiles subfolder? If so, you can rename it to the name Firefox is looking for.

wags699
wags699 Question owner
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Hi, Thanks a lot for your response.

This is what I see in Text Edit. I'm not sure which would apply to Default=1... Maybe the first entry?:

Name=default-1453260558091

wags699
wags699 Question owner
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Chosen Solution

Sorry please disregard that last post. I renamed the file pb9gynbr.default-1453260558091 and Firefox is up and running again. Thanks again for your help!

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 25 Contributor
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Thanks for the screenshot and confirming your success. I guess the Default=1 line only appears when there are multiple profiles; I didn't check that.