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Sync Keeps Disconnecting Randomly & Creating Duplicate Devices on Every Login

  • 2 replies
  • 4 have this problem
  • 30 views
  • Last reply by FlyerFlox

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-Every few times I open up Firefox, it will tell me Sync is disconnected. Sometimes it is because I just used CCleaner, but most of the time it happens for no apparent reason.

-When I just now logged into my Sync account settings, it showed approximately 20 duplicates of my desktop. I'm pretty sure it is creating a duplicate every time I log in.

-With respect to CCleaner, I tried whitelisting every single Mozilla or Firefox-related cookie (including "accounts.firefox.com"), but Sync still disconnects every time I use it.

So my questions are, in order of importance:

1. How can I get Sync to stop randomly disconnecting?

2. How can I keep Sync from disconnecting after I use CCleaner?

3. How can I keep Sync from creating a duplicate of my desktop every time I log in? (If I could prevent the constant random disconnects, I assume that would mostly solve this problem.)

I would greatly appreciate any assistance, thank you!

-Every few times I open up Firefox, it will tell me Sync is disconnected. Sometimes it is because I just used CCleaner, but most of the time it happens for no apparent reason. -When I just now logged into my Sync account settings, it showed approximately 20 duplicates of my desktop. I'm pretty sure it is creating a duplicate every time I log in. -With respect to CCleaner, I tried whitelisting every single Mozilla or Firefox-related cookie (including "accounts.firefox.com"), but Sync still disconnects every time I use it. So my questions are, in order of importance: 1. How can I get Sync to stop randomly disconnecting? 2. How can I keep Sync from disconnecting after I use CCleaner? 3. How can I keep Sync from creating a duplicate of my desktop every time I log in? (If I could prevent the constant random disconnects, I assume that would mostly solve this problem.) I would greatly appreciate any assistance, thank you!

All Replies (2)

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You can also check for issues with the preferences as shown on the on the about:config page and saved in prefs.js.

The Sync version used in Firefox 34+ releases uses the password manager to store the authentication data that is used to connect to the Sync server. When Firefox is started you need to enter the master password to be able to connect to Sync. The chrome://FirefoxAccounts entry in the password manager stores the authentication data (kA and kB) in JSON format. The signedInUser.json file in the profile folder stores the sessionToken that is used once you have logged on successfully.


In case of issues with Sync you can try this: Disconnect from Sync and Reconnect to Sync again. You can disconnect from Sync by clicking the e-mail address in the "3-bar" Firefox menu button drop-down list or go to "Options/Preferences > Sync". Delete the signedInUser.json file in the Firefox profile folder and delete the Weave folder (Sync was formerly named Weave). Remove an existing chrome://FirefoxAccounts entry in the Firefox Password Manager. If that isn't enough then delete the prefs.js files to reset all prefs and maybe also delete the compatibility.ini file to reinitialize the profile. Delete and re-create the Firefox account or change the Sync password. Note that changing the Sync password will wipe all data stored on the Sync server.

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Thank you for your help! I will try that in the next day or so, and get back to you.