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firefox ate my history

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after downloading and installing v.126 of firefox, my history has disappeared. the browser is not generating new history from web site visits. the history is fixed permanently on a single web address. this is the web address of a site that is in my toolbar. this site cannot be deleted from the history. this site cannot be deleted through the preferences menu. the same site shows in the history file as the only site visited in the past several months, even though i have not visited that site in the past several months. the browser does not show my browsing history. the browser does not create a browsing history. my history function is permanently broken.

help?

after downloading and installing v.126 of firefox, my history has disappeared. the browser is not generating new history from web site visits. the history is fixed permanently on a single web address. this is the web address of a site that is in my toolbar. this site cannot be deleted from the history. this site cannot be deleted through the preferences menu. the same site shows in the history file as the only site visited in the past several months, even though i have not visited that site in the past several months. the browser does not show my browsing history. the browser does not create a browsing history. my history function is permanently broken. help?

All Replies (7)

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How about your bookmarks -- are they still available and are you still able to add new bookmarks? I ask because bookmarks and history are stored together in the same file.

One possible reason for not accumulating history would be using private windows. You could double-check your History settings to make sure Firefox isn't set to use only private windows. Here's how:

Open the Settings/Preferences page, Privacy & Security panel.

Scroll down to History. The selector here can have any of these 3 values:

  • Firefox will: Remember history => usually this means everything is fine
  • Firefox will: Never remember history => this is a problem
  • Firefox will: Use custom settings for history => you need to review the details below:

For custom settings, make sure "Always use private browsing mode" is NOT checked. And then make sure that "Remember browsing and download history" IS checked.

Everything good so far?

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no, the bookmarks, both in the toolbar and in the folder, remain as they were. no, i do not use private windows routinely, i am clearly aware of when i am in a private window because i must request it manually. my preference setting is and always has been to "remember history". i have cleared cached content in the past and when i do i remove cache, browsing and forms history only. using "clear history" does not remove the single persistent web site listed as my history over the past several months from my history file.

no, you have not solved my problem.

Helpful?

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Are you able to save new bookmarks?

Could you let us know what you get when you run the "Verify Integrity" diagnosis and repair function. That's here:

Open Firefox's Troubleshooting Information page using any of these methods:

  • "3-bar" menu button > Help > More Troubleshooting Information
  • (menu bar) Help > More Troubleshooting Information
  • type or paste about:support in the address bar and press Enter

Near the bottom, there is a section titled Places Database -- that's the file which stores history and bookmarks. Click the button labeled Verify Integrity. There may be a 10-15 second delay before results appear.

If all is well, the report that appears below the button should start with:

> Task: checkIntegrity
+ The places.sqlite database is sane
+ The favicons.sqlite database is sane
> Task: invalidateCaches
+ The caches have been invalidated
> Task: checkCoherence
+ The database is coherent

Does yours say that, or something else? You can select and copy the report, and then paste it into a reply for review and comment.

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If you use Sync, best is to disconnect Sync temporarily during troubleshooting.

If errors are reported with "Verify Integrity", close and restart Firefox or reboot the computer 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 in "Help -> More Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) to go to the current Firefox profile folder or use the about:profiles page (Root directory).

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"Bookmarks -> Manage Bookmarks ->" RESTORE did delete the single corrupt history link and shows a history only from my current session (tonight). but let's see if it sticks; otherwise i will report.

whatever this bug is, it seems to me it should be fixed.

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All my history and bookmarks were deleted. I'm running the same version

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bsbaixo said

All my history and bookmarks were deleted. I'm running the same version

Hi bsbaixo, let's continue with your question here: https://support.mozilla.org/questions/1449036

Helpful?

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