This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Cookies "Manage Exceptions" - Unable to select "Allow". When I do, only "Allow for Sessions" is selected.

  • 5 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 13 views
  • Last reply by cor-el

more options

Several Firefox updates ago, I lost the ability to retain cookies in Firefox. The result is I have to keep signing into websites (e.g., Amazon, Facebook), rather than the websites "remembering" me, which is how it had been for years.

I keep trying to add these (and other) website to Cookies "Manage Exceptions" - but I'm unable to select "Allow". When I do, only "Allow for Sessions" is selected for each website. And even "Allow for Sessions" doesn't last. The websites are gone the next time I open Settings.

Ask to save logins and passwords for websites is selected. "Remember browsing history" IS selected.

Despite a number of updates, this problem has persisted. Please help.

Several Firefox updates ago, I lost the ability to retain cookies in Firefox. The result is I have to keep signing into websites (e.g., Amazon, Facebook), rather than the websites "remembering" me, which is how it had been for years. I keep trying to add these (and other) website to Cookies "Manage Exceptions" - but I'm unable to select "Allow". When I do, only "Allow for Sessions" is selected for each website. And even "Allow for Sessions" doesn't last. The websites are gone the next time I open Settings. Ask to save logins and passwords for websites is selected. "Remember browsing history" IS selected. Despite a number of updates, this problem has persisted. Please help.

All Replies (5)

more options

Are you using any content blocking extensions that deal with cookies ?

Try to rename/remove permissions.sqlite in the Firefox profile folder with Firefox closed in case there is a problem with the cookies database.

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).

more options

1) "Are you using any content blocking extensions that deal with cookies ?"

I have very few extensions.

   Adblock, McAfee web adviser, video downloader and helper, and a Zoom tool.

I don't know if they deal with cookies.


2) "Try to rename/remove permissions.sqlite."

What will this remove? Will it remove anything I need?


(FWIW.... I had to log in here again today.)

more options

"How do I find my profile?

   Click the menu button Fx57menu, click Help, and select More Troubleshooting Information. The Troubleshooting Information tab will open.
   Under the Application Basics section next to Profile Folder, click Open Folder. Your profile folder will open." 

Is this referring to "Application Binary C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" OR "Profile Folder"?

(See attached s-shot of the actual list.)

more options

The permissions.sqlite file stores all exceptions including the cookie exceptions, so you lose the current exceptions if you rename or remove this file and let Firefox create a new database. You may also have to rename/remove the cookies.sqlite database file in case there is also a problem with this file.

more options

You need to click the button for the Profile folder.

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).