Firefox Sync troubleshooting and tips

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If you've run into a problem getting Firefox Sync up and running, this article will walk you though the most common solutions.

Note: If you are using the integrated Sync feature of Firefox 4 Beta you will need to install the new Sync add-on version 1.5 in order for Sync to continue to work. Once you update to 1.5 on one of your computers, you will need to update all of your other computers to that version as well to continue syncing.


Help, I can't log in!

If you are having trouble logging in, there are a few things that you can check:

Make sure you are running Firefox version 3.5 or above

  1. At the top of the Firefox windowOn the menu bar, click on the HelpFirefoxHelp menu and select About Mozilla Firefox.
  2. Check the Firefox version number in the About Firefox window.
  3. If you need a newer version of Firefox see Update Firefox to the latest release.

Re-set your password

  1. At the top of the Firefox windowOn the menu bar, click on the ToolsFirefoxEdit menu and select OptionsPreferences...Preferences.
  2. Click on the Sync tab.
  3. Click the arrow next to Manage Account to reveal the Change Password link.


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  1. Click the Change Password link and a new password sheet will slide downwindow will open.
  2. Enter your password and then confirm your password.


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Your other devices may not be able to connect to your account until you enter this password on those devices
  1. Then click Change Password.
  2. Close the Settings page. Any changes you've made will automatically be saved. .

Check to see if other extensions are interfering with Firefox Sync

  1. Follow these instructions to disable all extensions except for Firefox Sync.
  2. Then test for faulty extensions.

I've forgotten my Secret Phrase, what can I do?

  1. At the top of the Firefox windowOn the menu bar, click on the ToolsFirefoxEdit menu and select OptionsPreferences...Preferences.
  2. Click on the Sync tab.
  3. Click the arrow next to Manage Account to reveal the Change Secret Phrase link.


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  1. Click the Change Secret Phrase link and a new Secret Phrase sheet will slide downwindow will open.
  2. Enter a new Secret Phrase and then confirm it.


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This will erase all of your data stored on the server. New data will be secured by this phrase and then uploaded. Your other devices will not be able to sync until this new Secret Phrase is entered for that device.
  1. Then click Change Secret Phrase.
  2. Close the Settings page. Any changes you've made will automatically be saved. .

I have another type of problem

The sync log might help troubleshooting your problem. To see the log, enter about:sync-log in the Location bar and press EnterReturn.

If this article doesn't solve your problem, you can ask the people who make Firefox Sync for help in this forum.
Note: The forum is called "Mozilla-Labs-Weave" because Firefox Sync used to be called Weave.