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duplicate tabs on restore session

  • 7 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 2 views
  • Last reply by mpsmom

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I have FF quantum 60.0.1 (64-bit) set to "Show your windows and tabs from last time", however, when it starts up, it opens duplicate tabs for some of the tabs. Sometimes 3 of the same tab in different locations on the tab bar. I know which are the dupes because there is no history. Any idea what's causing that?

I have FF quantum 60.0.1 (64-bit) set to "Show your windows and tabs from last time", however, when it starts up, it opens duplicate tabs for some of the tabs. Sometimes 3 of the same tab in different locations on the tab bar. I know which are the dupes because there is no history. Any idea what's causing that?

All Replies (7)

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Separate Issue; Your System Details shows;

Installed Plug-ins

Shockwave Flash 27.0 r0 Shockwave Flash 29.0 r0
Having more than one version of a program may cause issues. You must remove the older programs. Then get the current full installer.

Flash: Grab the uninstaller from here:

http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-windows.html Uninstall Flash Player | Windows

http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-mac-os.html Uninstall Flash Player | Mac

Then reinstall the latest version.

Note: Windows users should download the active_x for Internet Explorer. and the plugin for Plugin-based browsers (like Firefox).

Note: Windows 8 and Windows 10 have built-in flash players and Adobe will cause a conflict. Install the plugin only. Not the active_x.

Flash Player Version 29.0.0.171

https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/ Direct link scans current system and browser Note: Other software is offered in the download. <Windows Only>

https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/otherversions/ Step 1: Select Operating System Step 2: Select A Version (Firefox, Win IE . . . .) Note: Other software is offered in the download. <Windows Only>


See if there are updates for your graphics drivers https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/upgrade-graphics-drivers-use-hardware-acceleration

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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.

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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What am I missing?!?! I did as instructed and deleted sessionstore.jsonlz4 and the back up folder. Open FF, get a single new page tab, 5 secs later, it opens 11 other tabs. WTF? What am I missing? In the same folder is sessionscheckpoints, does that have anything to do with session restores? What if I change it to open to a homepage, then revert back, think that would make a difference?

Modified by mpsmom

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If your Firefox was able to restore a session without any of the normal files, perhaps you have an extension that is separately saving/restoring your session? You could check the add-ons page. Either:

  • Ctrl+Shift+a (Mac: Command+Shift+a)
  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
  • type or paste about:addons in the address bar and press Enter/Return

In the left column of the Add-ons page, click Extensions.

Then cast a critical eye over the list on the right side. Most extensions related to sessions will have "session" in the name, but there's no universal rule. Do you have any of these or anything else that might explain it?

  • Tab Session Manager
  • My Sessions
  • Session Boss
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I have tab suspender, that would be the only one I would think could be messing with the tab restore.

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The author of the original Tab Suspender extension removed it from the Add-ons site. On a documentation page, it says: "Also after a reboot or browser crash, all your unloaded tabs can be resumed through the internal session manager." https://add0n.com/tab-suspender.html

So that might be happening.

The author's replacement for Firefox 58 and later is:

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thanks jscher2000

I also saw this on their site "What does happen if I have a few suspended tabs and my browser crashes?

"Tab Suspender (Tab Unloader)" extension has a built-in session manager. Once your browser gets restarted, a desktop notification is displayed. Clicking on this notification opens all the suspended tabs once again." I was wondering why I would get a box up showing me my different tabs after FF had already loaded the tabs. I never used the tab restore from tab suspender so I still think it's FF doing, but apparently tab suspender is playing into it. I'm not 100%, but I think it's only suspended tabs that are duplicating. Hah! found this too... "What is the meaning of "Use native method" in the options page? If your browser supports chrome.tabs.discard, Tab Suspender uses this method to suspend tabs. So your browser {sic} actaully handles the tab suspension and hence the native session manager handles the discarded tabs. This is the recommended method, however if you still prefer the old method, use the options page to revert. Note that if your browser does not support this method (like in Firefox browser), the old method will be used." tab suspender is set to use native method.