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Missing tabs on start up

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I've recently been opening Firefox to find that my tabs are missing - MIA. I haven't had any problem until recently. I am running the following version of Firefox: Firefox 108.0 (20221208122842) Details Installed on: December 13, 2022 at 2:47:02 PM Status: The Update was successfully installed

Unfortunately, when I did a search in help for tabs - the suggestions were above my pay grade. I tried some of the suggestions, but they didn't seem simple enough for me. (I'm 71 but somewhat computer literate having taught software). Hopefully, someone can help with this. My email is: [email removed from public forum]

Thank you for your assistance, Jane McIntosh

I've recently been opening Firefox to find that my tabs are missing - MIA. I haven't had any problem until recently. I am running the following version of Firefox: Firefox 108.0 (20221208122842) Details Installed on: December 13, 2022 at 2:47:02 PM Status: The Update was successfully installed Unfortunately, when I did a search in help for tabs - the suggestions were above my pay grade. I tried some of the suggestions, but they didn't seem simple enough for me. (I'm 71 but somewhat computer literate having taught software). Hopefully, someone can help with this. My email is: [email removed from public forum] Thank you for your assistance, Jane McIntosh

Modified by James

All Replies (1)

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Hi Jane, is this problem on your Windows 10 system or on your Android device (this question is posted under Android)? I'm going to guess Windows.

Are new tabs visible, in other words, if you press Ctrl+T you get a new tab and it appears on the tab bar?

Assuming that works: could you check whether either of these are available (not hidden or grayed out):

  • "3-bar" menu button > History > Restore Previous Session
  • (menu bar) History > Restore Previous Session

If they are missing or grayed, check either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > History > Recently Closed Windows
  • "Library" toolbar button > History > Recently Closed Windows
  • (menu bar) History > Recently Closed Windows

Anything there?


One possibility is that your history settings are clearing browsing history when Firefox closes. That will also clear session history files. let's check on that:

On the Settings page, Privacy & Security panel, History section, there's a general selector:

  • Firefox will: Remember history => should be okay
  • Firefox will: Never remember history => prevents restoring your session
  • Firefox will: Use custom settings for history => need to check the details

With custom settings:

[_] Always use private browsing mode => must be un-checked [X] Remember browsing and download history => must be checked [?] Clear history when Firefox closes => use the Settings button to check what is being cleared and make sure that "Browsing & download history" are NOT set to be cleared