We're calling on all EU-based Mozillians with iOS or iPadOS devices to help us monitor Apple’s new browser choice screens. Join the effort to hold Big Tech to account!

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

Lolu chungechunge lwabekwa kunqolobane. Uyacelwa ubuze umbuzo omusha uma udinga usizo.

cannot restore/import Bookmarks from .html/.json file in Firefox 19.0.2

more options

After Resetting Firefox(now have new profile) cannot now restore/import Bookmarks from .html/.json backup files created prior to Reset, in Firefox 19.0.2. CPU usage zooms up to 112% waiting for html or json to be imported. Thank you.

After Resetting Firefox(now have new profile) cannot now restore/import Bookmarks from .html/.json backup files created prior to Reset, in Firefox 19.0.2. CPU usage zooms up to 112% waiting for html or json to be imported. Thank you.

All Replies (11)

more options

You can check for problems with the places.sqlite database file in the Firefox Profile Folder and delete all places.sqlite files and restore the bookmarks another time.

more options

I have this problem - now I have NO ACCESS to my bookmarks!

more options

Hi jdante, did you run the Reset?

Could you verify that the bookmarkbackup files got migrated? Here's how:

Help > Troubleshooting Information > "Show Folder" button

In the window that opens, you should find a folder named bookmarkbackups that contains dated files. Are they there?

If those files are missing: In a separate window, open the Old Firefox Data folder on your desktop and check for bookmarkbackups in there. If you find them, copy them to the new bookmarkbackups folder. You can close the desktop folder now.

So now you have backups.

In Firefox, use Exit to close the browser.

I assume you are staring at your bookmarkbackups folder. Review the backups files. Check the dates and sizes. If the most recent one(s) look wrong (e.g., much too small), delete them until the newest file looks like a correct one.

Move back up to the level above the bookmarkbackups folder and rename the places.sqlite file to something like places.old.

When you restart Firefox, it should create a new places.sqlite database and restore the most recent backup it finds.

Any luck?

more options

Changing places.sqlite file to places.old is not possible because the message comes up file is open in Firefox Trying to open .json files in any meaningful way is also impossible as the result is a page of jargon with Notepad or MS Word

more options

Hi mossbarry, you do need to exit Firefox and allow a few moments for file updates to be completed before renaming the file.

more options

Hi, I'm having the same problem importing my json bookmarks.

One level up from bookmarkbackups is file called nrcehfht.default instead of the places.sqlite? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks, Phil

more options

Hi pbcd, the nrcehfht.default folder should have numerous files in it. One of those files should be places.sqlite (it's a file, not a folder).

more options

trying to get your bookmark from a disc or usb key , open the all bookmark thing , click on import tab then the restore and choose file thing , you will find your json file and it will work.

more options

Hi! For resolve this issue: on a (top) menu "Bookmarks" chose "Unsorted Bookmarks" (it's a last command), and you will be prompted via "Library" dialog box. From there chose from a (top) menu: "Import bookmarks from HTML page / restore (from a file). That's all.

more options

that works for the newer back up of bookmarks since they are in HTML but for the old files you must hit the restore button since they were in JSON and not HTML

more options

Hi tigmig and daninkognito, Firefox's regular backup format is JSON. However, you can manually export to the HTML format from Firefox or from other browsers in order to exchange bookmarks. Given a choice, restore the JSON format because it stores more data, such as tags you have assigned to your bookmarks. But also, be aware that a restore replaces all current bookmarks, so if you need to mix and match, export your current bookmarks to HTML first.