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

Firefox starts with new Profile every now and then

  • 3 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 214 views
  • Last reply by Bugscout

more options

It happened the third time in the last 4 days.

Firefox opens with a new default profile.

I have to create my profiles with profil manager again and again.

How can i stop this?

Regards Walter

It happened the third time in the last 4 days. Firefox opens with a new default profile. I have to create my profiles with profil manager again and again. How can i stop this? Regards Walter

Chosen solution

Firefox would create a new default profile if there is a problem with the profiles.ini file that register the profiles.

Is there currently only one profile present or are there profiles that aren't listed in profiles.ini ?

You can find the profiles.ini file in a hidden location in AppData\Roaming. You can find a button on the about:profiles page to go to the current profile folder*Windows: %AppData%\Mozilla\Firefox\
C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\

  • Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/Firefox/
  • Linux: ~/.mozilla/firefox/
Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (3)

more options

Hi, sorry to hear that, strange. Always :

The Refresh feature (called "Reset" in older Firefox versions) can fix many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your bookmarks, history, passwords, cookies, and other essential information.

Note: When you use this feature, you will lose any extensions, toolbar customizations, and some preferences. See the Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings article for more information.

To Refresh Firefox:

  1. Open the Troubleshooting Information page using one of these methods:
    • Click the menu button New Fx Menu, click help Help-29 and select Troubleshooting Information. A new tab containing your troubleshooting information should open.
    • If you're unable to access the Help menu, type about:support in your address bar to bring up the Troubleshooting Information page.
  2. At the top right corner of the page, you should see a button that says "Refresh Firefox" ("Reset Firefox" in older Firefox versions). Click on it.
  3. Firefox will close. After the refresh process is completed, Firefox will show a window with the information that is imported.
  4. Click Finish and Firefox will reopen.

Did this fix the problem? Please report back to us!

Thank you.

more options

Chosen Solution

Firefox would create a new default profile if there is a problem with the profiles.ini file that register the profiles.

Is there currently only one profile present or are there profiles that aren't listed in profiles.ini ?

You can find the profiles.ini file in a hidden location in AppData\Roaming. You can find a button on the about:profiles page to go to the current profile folder*Windows: %AppData%\Mozilla\Firefox\
C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\

  • Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/Firefox/
  • Linux: ~/.mozilla/firefox/
more options

Funny,

Firefox started with a new profile.ini the old profiles are still in their folders

i made a new ini with my profiles and a copy from profile.ini to be able to restore it quickly

and the problem didn´t show up again.

don´t know why but it works

So i don´t need to Refresh everything

Thanks