Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Natao arisiva ity resaka mitohy ity. Mametraha fanontaniana azafady raha mila fanampiana.

No matter what I do, I cannot open Firefox - says my profile is missing - But Chrome indicates that Firefox is running.

  • 1 valiny
  • 0 manana an'ity olana ity
  • 20 views
  • Valiny farany nomen'i cor-el

more options

No matter what I do, I cannot open Firefox. It says my profile is missing or inaccessible. I have tried everything you suggest with no luck.

When I tried to import my bookmarks in Chrome, though, Chrome indicates that Firefox is running. I am using Chrome now as a backup.

I even uninstalled and reinstalled FF - same error message.

I am dead in the water.

How do I fix this problem?

No matter what I do, I cannot open Firefox. It says my profile is missing or inaccessible. I have tried everything you suggest with no luck. When I tried to import my bookmarks in Chrome, though, Chrome indicates that Firefox is running. I am using Chrome now as a backup. I even uninstalled and reinstalled FF - same error message. I am dead in the water. How do I fix this problem?

All Replies (1)

more options

You need to locate the profiles.ini file and delete this file or use the Profile Manager to create a new profile.

See:


This issue is caused by a problem with the profiles.ini file or with permissions/ownership of involved folders/files.

You can use one of these to make Firefox create a new default profile or recover an existing profile:

  • Delete the profiles.ini file to make Firefox create a new (default) profile
  • Use the Profile Manager to create a new profile
    If you still have an existing profile then click "Choose Folder" in the Profile Manager and browse to the location of a lost profile to recover this profile
    https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Managing+profiles

You should find the profiles.ini file in this hidden location:

  • Windows: %AppData%\Mozilla\Firefox\
    *C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\
  • Mac: *~/Library/Application Support/Firefox/
  • Linux: *~/.mozilla/firefox/

If clearing the profiles.ini file isn't working then also check the location of the cache files.

  • Windows: *C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<profile>\
  • Mac: *~/Library/Caches/Firefox/Profiles/
  • Linux:*~/.cache/mozilla/firefox/

You can also try to rename/delete the Mozilla\Firefox\ folder in both above mentioned locations (main, cache).