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"The file doesn’t include any bookmark data. Pick another file"

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  • Last reply by cor-el

ramirezd101
ramirezd101
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I get errors when importing my bookmarks from one laptop to another. I've tried importing HTML file and restoring from JSON file multiple times with multiple files. The bookmarks are not saved in any folder including the "imported bookmarks" folder. This is frustrating... Could you please help with this simple task?

I get errors when importing my bookmarks from one laptop to another. I've tried importing HTML file and restoring from JSON file multiple times with multiple files. The bookmarks are not saved in any folder including the "imported bookmarks" folder. This is frustrating... Could you please help with this simple task?

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ramirezd101
ramirezd101 Question owner
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This is the error message I get when trying to restore from JSON file "Unable to process the backup file."

cor-el
cor-el
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  • Top 10 Contributor
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If you use Sync, best is to disconnect Sync temporarily during troubleshooting.

This could be a problem with the places.sqlite and favicons.sqlite files in the Firefox profile folder.

  • use the "Places Database" -> "Verify Integrity" button on the "Help -> More Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page

If errors are reported with "Verify Integrity", close and restart Firefox or reboot and retry.

If "Verify Integrity" cannot repair places.sqlite, rename/remove all places.sqlite and favicons.sqlite files in the Firefox profile folder with Firefox closed. Firefox will rebuild places.sqlite and restore the bookmarks from the most 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
  • you lose the history when a new places.sqlite is created

You may have to restore an older bookmarks backup in the bookmarkbackups folder via the Bookmarks Manager (Library).

See also:

You can use the button on the "Help -> More Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page to go to the current Firefox profile folder or use the about:profiles page (Root directory).