Firefox keeps asking me for Primary Password

Revision Information
  • Revision id: 193089
  • Created:
  • Creator: AliceWyman
  • Comment: added Eset - see discussion
  • Reviewed: Yes
  • Reviewed:
  • Reviewed by: AliceWyman
  • Is approved? Yes
  • Is current revision? No
  • Ready for localization: Yes
  • Readied for localization:
  • Readied for localization by: AliceWyman
Revision Source
Revision Content

If you’re using AVG or Eset Internet Security, its certificate might be causing Firefox to ask you for a master password every time you start Firefox.

To resolve this problem, you must first deactivate your master password and then reactivate it:

  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. Click Privacy & Security in the left panel and go to the Logins and Passwords section.
  3. Remove the check mark from the box next to Use a master password and enter the current password to confirm your ownership of the account.
    • If you've forgotten your master password, see this article.
  4. Click Remove and click OK in the dialog that appears to confirm its removal.
  5. 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.
  6. Open Firefox again.
  7. Repeat the above steps 1 and 2.
  8. Reactivate a master password by selecting the checkbox next to Use a master password and enter a password in the window that opens (use a previous or different password).
  9. 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.

When you next start Firefox, it should not ask you for your master password unless it's needed.

For more information about master passwords, see Use a Primary Password to protect stored logins and passwords.