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Passwords not auto-filling

  • 16 replies
  • 15 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by popzzz

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Hello All, My passwords are no longer "auto-filling" the log-in fields as they used to. Could this be a result of my Options/Privacy/Clear History When Firefox Closes setting?? In addition, in the Options/Privacy/Settings/settings for clearing history options I have Browsing History, Download History, Cache and Cookies all checked. Somehow I'm missing something... Many thanks in advance....

Hello All, My passwords are no longer "auto-filling" the log-in fields as they used to. Could this be a result of my Options/Privacy/Clear History When Firefox Closes setting?? In addition, in the Options/Privacy/Settings/settings for clearing history options I have Browsing History, Download History, Cache and Cookies all checked. Somehow I'm missing something... Many thanks in advance....

Chosen solution

You can check the value the signon.autofillForms pref on the about:config page.


Start Firefox in Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode to check if one of the extensions or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox (Tools) > Add-ons > Appearance/Themes).

Read this answer in context 👍 3

All Replies (16)

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Make sure that you do not run Firefox in permanent Private Browsing mode.

To see all History and Cookie settings, choose:

  • Tools > Options > Privacy, choose the setting Firefox will: Use custom settings for history
  • Deselect: [ ] "Always use private browsing mode"
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" Could this be a result of my Options/Privacy/Clear History When Firefox Closes setting?? " Correct, see : Passwords being automatically cleared

see also : Options window - Privacy panel


thank you

Modified by ideato

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Hi Folks, Many thanks for your swift replies... cor-el: I have the Options you mentioned "engaged" already with all the remaining EXCEPT "Remember my browsing history" and "Remember download history" checked. ideato- I'll give those links a good hard look. I'm not actually losing my Passwords, they just aren't auto-filling (I have to type in both login fields )on a few sites like GMail and a some of my favorite Forums. What I don't understand is this sudden problem. I also have been running the Click & Clean Extension for some time now. I'm going to disable it and see if maybe some recent upgrade has screwed things up.

Modified by Mark C. Hein

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Do you mean names and passwords in the Password Manager or do you mean that you are no longer logged on to (remembered by) websites after closing and restarting Firefox?
There is a difference between remembering the name and password in the Password Manager and a "remember me" check box on a web page.
The latter usually involves the creation of a special "remember me" cookie that is stored on your computer and that is send to the server.
If that "remember me" cookie is removed or gets corrupted or is not send to the server then the server won't remember you and you need to sign in once again.

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Hello Again, "Do you mean names and passwords in the Password Manager or do you mean that you are no longer logged on to (remembered by) websites after closing and restarting Firefox?" I mean the Passwords stored/saved in the Password Manager. After I close FF (again, on sites like GMail) I have to "hand enter" the information. The information is there in the Password Manager, but it's not "auto-filling" the fields...

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Chosen Solution

You can check the value the signon.autofillForms pref on the about:config page.


Start Firefox in Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode to check if one of the extensions or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox (Tools) > Add-ons > Appearance/Themes).

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Hey cor-el, MANY thanks for all your time! Well, the problem did indeed turn out to be an Extension. all is now back to normal

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@cor-el,

I started in safe mode and FireFox v.12 still will NOT fill in passwords.

Fills in username no problem but will NOT fill in passwords.

signon.autofillForms set to true

NOT using private

do NOT clear anything when shut down

Modified by popzzz

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Did you check the settings?


Start Firefox in Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode to check if one of the extensions or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance/Themes).

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Tools > Options > Security: Passwords: "Remember passwords for sites" is checked.

I started in safe mode and FireFox v.12 still will NOT fill in passwords.

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I assume that you do see passwords in the Password Manager?

  • Tools > Options > Security: Passwords: "Saved Passwords" > "Show Passwords"
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Yes sir - all present and accounted for - still will NOT fill in passwords.

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Does it help if you (temporarily) disable saving form data in case that is interfering?

  • Tools > Options > Privacy > Firefox will: "Use custom settings for history" > "Remember search and form history"
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No sir - same thing - still will NOT fill in passwords.

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Create a new profile as a test to check if your current profile is causing the problems.

See "Basic Troubleshooting: Make a new profile":

There may be extensions and plugins installed by default in a new profile, so check that in "Tools > Add-ons > Extensions & Plugins" in case there are still problems.

If the new profile works then you can transfer some files from the old profile to that new profile, but be careful not to copy corrupted files.

See:

For the names and passwords you need two files, key3.db and signons.sqlite

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New profile will not even ask to save user/pass.

Options > security > save passwords = checked No extensions/plugins