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Bookmarks Toolbar does not appear in "Show All Bookmarks"

  • 3 replies
  • 3 have this problem
  • 26 views
  • Last reply by cbeisel

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I keep all my bookmarks in the Bookmarks Toolbar folder. All are intact and functional. They appear to back up properly (i.e., viewing a newly-created json file with MS Notepad, I find nothing to suggest that anything is missing). BUT, I can't actually view/organize these (or any other) bookmarks in the Library. After clicking "Show All Bookmarks," the main Library pane that opens is empty. In the navigation pane at the left, there is an entry "+ All Bookmarks," suggesting there's an expandable tree there. Clicking on the "+" has no effect; no expanded tree in the Nav pane, no bookmarks in the main pane. In short, I have no way to organize my existing bookmarks, even though they are intact and functional.

I keep all my bookmarks in the Bookmarks Toolbar folder. All are intact and functional. They appear to back up properly (i.e., viewing a newly-created json file with MS Notepad, I find nothing to suggest that anything is missing). BUT, I can't actually view/organize these (or any other) bookmarks in the Library. After clicking "Show All Bookmarks," the main Library pane that opens is empty. In the navigation pane at the left, there is an entry "+ All Bookmarks," suggesting there's an expandable tree there. Clicking on the "+" has no effect; no expanded tree in the Nav pane, no bookmarks in the main pane. In short, I have no way to organize my existing bookmarks, even though they are intact and functional.

All Replies (3)

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Try the Firefox SafeMode.
A troubleshooting mode, which disables most Add-ons.
(If you're not using it, switch to the Default Theme.)

  1. You can open the Firefox 4/5/6/7 SafeMode by holding the Shft key when you use the Firefox desktop or Start menu shortcut.
  2. Or use the Help menu item, click on Restart with Add-ons Disabled... while Firefox is running.

To exit the Firefox Safe Mode, just close Firefox and wait a few seconds before using the Firefox shortcut (without the Shft key) to open it again.

If it is good in the Firefox SafeMode, your problem is probably caused by an extension, and you need to figure out which one.
http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/troubleshooting+extensions+and+themes

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Thanks for the prompt reply.

I tried your SafeMode suggestion. There was no change in the performance of the Bookmark Library; it still opens blank and the "+ All Bookmarks" will not expand.

I skimmed through a few hundred other questions and answers and found a handful of others with what appears to be a similar problem. I'm currently looking at this:

[or damaged places.sqlite]

I tried the backup/restore solution. I creating a new backup, verifying that it was current by adding a new bookmark just before backing up, and then checking the json file to be sure it was there. No problem. I did a restore: all bookmarks look like they're still OK, but there was no change in the performance of the Library window.

I'll try CHKDSK next, before I attempt a full rebuild of places.sqlite.

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Followup:

Problem solved.

I followed the direction in [http://kb.mozillazine.org/Bookmarks_history_and_toolbar_button...] for rebuilding the Places database:


  1. Backed up bookmarks via Bookmarks > Show All Bookmarks > Import/Backup
  2. Opened my Profile folder via Help > Troubleshooting Information > Open Containing Folder
  3. Closed Firefox
  4. In the Profile folder, renamed places.sqlite to places-sqlite.bak
  5. Re-started Firefox

My Bookmark Toolbar appears properly in the re-opened Firefox. The "Show All Bookmarks" now accesses a fully-functioning Bookmark Library that can be viewed and edited.

One side effect: all the favicons that had been associated with my bookmarks have disappeared.