Restore previous session - Configure when Firefox shows your most recent tabs and windows

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Firefox can restore your open tabs and windows from your last session—even after a crash or restart. You can choose whether Firefox restores your session automatically when it starts or only when you request it.

If your session doesn’t restore as expected, this article includes troubleshooting tips for pinned tabs, private windows, and update-related changes.

Note: Session Restore may keep you logged in to sites that you were logged in to before you closed Firefox. For more information, see Session Restore limitations and privacy.

When Firefox restores your session

When you manually select "Restore previous session"

You can manually restore your previous session from the Firefox menu if it does not restore automatically.

  1. Click the menu button Fx89menuButton on the right side of your toolbar.
  2. Click History.
  3. Select Restore Previous Session.
Sessionrestore89

After a Firefox update

When Firefox updates, it often needs to restart. Tabs and windows should restore automatically after the update.

If they don’t:

  • Click the menu Fx89menuButton button, click History and go to Recently Closed Windows/Tabs to recover them.
  • Check if Session Restore is enabled (see Configure session restore).
firefoxupdate142fx70Linux-AboutFirefox-RestartFirefox 70 MacOS Restart to update

After restarting Firefox in Troubleshoot Mode

When you restart in Troubleshoot Mode to diagnose Firefox problems, your tabs and windows will be reopened.

If they don’t: Click the menu Fx89menuButton button, click History and go to Recently Closed Windows/Tabs to restore them manually.

After a crash or unexpected shutdown

If Firefox crashed or if your device shut down unexpectedly, it will usually attempt to restore your last session the next time you open it. You may see the Restore Session page:

  • Select the windows or tabs you want to restore.
  • Click Restore Session.

If Firefox crashes again during restore:

  • Click Start New Session instead.
  • Click the menu Fx89menuButton button, click History and go to Recently Closed Windows/Tabs to recover your session manually.
Fx97RestoreSession

When you've set Firefox to restore the previous session at startup

You can set Firefox to always show your windows and tabs from your previous session each time you start Firefox. To change your Firefox startup settings, see Configure session restore below.

Configure session restore

To set Firefox to restore your tabs and windows on startup:

  1. In the Menu bar at the top of the screen, click Firefox and select Settings (select Preferences on older macOS versions).Click the menu button Fx89menuButton and select Settings.
  2. Select the General panel.
  3. Below Startup, select Open previous windows and tabs
    Fx94settings-Startup.
  4. Close the Settings page. Any changes you've made will automatically be saved.

Session Restore limitations and privacy

Session Restore works for regular tabs and windows. However, some exceptions apply:

FeatureWill it be restored?
Pinned tabsYes
Private windowsNo — by design
Login sessionsMay keep you signed in
Privacy tip: If someone else uses your computer, they may be able to access sites you were logged into. To protect your information, consider disabling automatic session restore.

Disable session restore after crashes (Advanced)

If you don’t want Firefox to restore your session after crashes:

Warning: These instructions are for experienced Firefox users. Changing settings in the Configuration Editor (about:config) can have serious effects on your browser’s stability, security and performance.
Only proceed if you are comfortable with advanced settings and understand the potential impacts.

  1. Type about:config in the address bar and press EnterReturn.
    A warning page may appear. Click Accept the Risk and Continue to go to the about:config page.
  2. In the Search preference name box at the top type browser.sessionstore.resume_from_crash.
  3. Click the Toggle Fx71aboutconfig-ToggleButton button next to browser.sessionstore.resume_from_crash to set it to false.

Troubleshooting

Session didn’t restore correctly

Ensure Firefox was closed properly

To properly close Firefox: Click the Firefox menu Fx89menuButton and select Exit.Click the Firefox menu at the top of the screen and select Quit Firefox.Click the Firefox menu Fx89menuButton and select Quit.

  • If you close individual windows manually, only the last closed window's tabs will be restored.

Check history settings

  1. In the Menu bar at the top of the screen, click Firefox and select Settings (select Preferences on older macOS versions).Click the menu button Fx89menuButton and select Settings.
  2. Select the Privacy & Security panel.
  3. In the History section make sure that the Firefox will drop-down menu is set to either Remember history or Use custom settings for history.
    • If Firefox will is set to Use custom settings for history, then make sure that Always use Private Browsing mode is not checked.
    • If Firefox will is set to Use custom settings for history and Clear history when Firefox closes is checked, then click the Settings button and make sure that Browsing & download history is not checked.
  4. Close the Settings page. Any changes you've made will automatically be saved.

Recently closed tabs/windows are missing

If Firefox didn’t offer to restore your session:

  • Go to History > Recently Closed Windows/Tabs.

Use Ctrl + Shift + T (or Cmd + Shift + T on macOS) to reopen the last closed tab.

Tabs open to blank or home page

This could be caused by:

  • A conflicting extension
  • A change during an update
  • Corrupt session data

Try:

  • Disabling add-ons in Troubleshoot Mode
  • Resetting Firefox settings (see this guide)

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