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cannot get rid of master password window log in

  • 23 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by pacanes

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Hi, I signed for a master password in Firefox. When the window appears to ask me to insert it, I do but it doesn't work. Then I try to reset it with this link: chrome://pippki/content/resetpassword.xul into but it doesn't work either as nothing appears after hitting enter. I want to get rid of this annoying pop up window as I'm sure I'm entering the right password but it's always denied. Thank you very much!

Hi, I signed for a master password in Firefox. When the window appears to ask me to insert it, I do but it doesn't work. Then I try to reset it with this link: chrome://pippki/content/resetpassword.xul into but it doesn't work either as nothing appears after hitting enter. I want to get rid of this annoying pop up window as I'm sure I'm entering the right password but it's always denied. Thank you very much!

All Replies (20)

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Have you tried simply unchecking the Use master password button in the Firefox settings? It will ask you for the password and, if you enter it correctly, it will remove the password for you.

Otherwise, you will need to reset the password using the following page: chrome://pippki/content/resetpassword.xul

WARNING: Resetting your master password will remove all of your saved usernames and passwords.

If you are, for whatever reason, having issues getting either of those options to work, try it while running Firefox in safe mode.

Hope this helps.

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If resetting the master password isn't working the try to remove pkcs11.txt and secmode.db in the profile folder. If this still doesn't work the rename/remove logins.json and key4.db. These two files store the passwords and the key file (master password), so you lose all stored passwords like posted above.

Note that if you use Sync then the Firefox account credentials for the Sync account are stored in the Password Manager and you would have to enter the MP when you start Firefox to unlock the passwords.

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.

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Hi, it doesn't work even if I remove the pkcs11.txt file from the root folder. I didn't see the secmode.db file in the profile folder.

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Did you try to remove the logins.json and key4.db and a possible key3.db file used by older Firefox versions ?

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.

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It doesn't work.

If I refresh Firefox, it will be fine afterwords?

I'm afraid to create a new Master password as I know the one I inserted was the right one but for unknown reasons wasn't recognized.

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Hi, I refreshed Firefox, then I try to set a new Master Password and it tells me that it can change the password even if I'm creating a new one for the first time? You can see in attachment. Thank you very much!

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At this point, I'd recommend exporting your Firefox bookmarks. Then create a new Firefox profile (keep the old profile on your system) and import your bookmarks back into Firefox.

This should give you a clean slate to work with and you should no longer have issues with the Master Password.

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Wesley Branton said

At this point, I'd recommend exporting your Firefox bookmarks. Then create a new Firefox profile (keep the old profile on your system) and import your bookmarks back into Firefox. This should give you a clean slate to work with and you should no longer have issues with the Master Password.
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I have the exact same problem and I deleted firefox from my hard drive and then reinstalled it and it didn't solve the problem. the inaccessible master password is still in effect.

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You can check the about:policies#active page in Firefox 63+ to see if there are policies active.

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suberirobert said

I have the exact same problem and I deleted firefox from my hard drive and then reinstalled it and it didn't solve the problem. the inaccessible master password is still in effect.

I'd like to point out that reinstalling Firefox is different from creating a new profile.

When you reinstall Firefox, all of your Firefox data and settings stay untouched. Theoretically, reinstalling Firefox will do nothing to fix the issue because it's going to leave your setting alone.

When you create a new profile, you are essentially starting from scratch, which is why you will need to export your bookmarks first and then import them back in. This should, in most cases, reset all of the settings and remove the Master Password entirely. Unfortunately, it will remove your currently stored passwords, but I assume having them locked away is not helpful at the moment anyway.

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Thank you for your reply! Once done, should I forget about setting up a Master Password as it doesn't seem to work well or it's just an isolated case? Thank you!

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Also, the new profile I created is pacanes. I selected set to default but if you look the attachment, looks like it didn't work even if everything is working fine now. Which is the profile I should delete and should I create another master password as not convince it will work.

Thank you very much!

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You can inspect the Mozilla and Firefox keys with the Windows Registry Editor in this location to see what policies are active:

  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Mozilla\Firefox
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Hi, does the master password works for most people or am I the only one who coudn't sign in with the right password, even if it was set up the right way? Thanks!

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I had the same problem and the only cure I found was to create a new profile. You can then delete the old profile. Make sure to save your bookmarks.

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Thank you. The new profile solved the problem and I had no problems losing bookmarks. But why does the Master Password not work??

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Does the master password works for anyone?

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Didn't work for me and caused a lot of disruption. Had to create a new profile to undo the problem.

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I've been using a Master Password for years and I've never had any issues with it.

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