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Logins and passwords not imported in Version 81

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  • 1 has this problem
  • 44 views
  • Last reply by c.kurt

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To start off, I've never used the sync feature. Not that I think it won't work, I just haven't trusted the cloud enough yet. That being said, I know my logins and passwords are stored in the "profile" in the appdata of mozilla firefox, on this local computer. To my knowledge, this information is stored in the "logins.json" file located in my default profile. Up until now, I have had no issues retrieving the information I need. However, after this morning, when Version 81 was installed, I visited a website where I needed a particular login. I normally have Firefox automatically populate this information, on this particular site. However, since that did not happen this time, I checked my "logins and passwords" page, only to find "No logins found" on the sidebar, and "No synced logins found" in the main space, with instructions on how to sync from other devices or import from other browsers. Since I have not had a login before (for Firefox), I created an account to see if I could import the information from a previous version. However, only other browsers were listed, and I can't sync from another device, as the information is stored on this machine. Creating an account has also allowed me to post here...

I have opened the logins.json file with notepad, and the logins-backup.json file, and both are full of information. Of course it's not plain text, but the information is there. I can also open these files with Firefox, however, it doesn't recognize the file as the "logins and passwords" file, it just displays the encrypted information in a different (html?) format.

Any advice on how I can import these 55+ logins and passwords without re-creating or changing each one of them? Thanks.

To start off, I've never used the sync feature. Not that I think it won't work, I just haven't trusted the cloud enough yet. That being said, I know my logins and passwords are stored in the "profile" in the appdata of mozilla firefox, on this local computer. To my knowledge, this information is stored in the "logins.json" file located in my default profile. Up until now, I have had no issues retrieving the information I need. However, after this morning, when Version 81 was installed, I visited a website where I needed a particular login. I normally have Firefox automatically populate this information, on this particular site. However, since that did not happen this time, I checked my "logins and passwords" page, only to find "No logins found" on the sidebar, and "No synced logins found" in the main space, with instructions on how to sync from other devices or import from other browsers. Since I have not had a login before (for Firefox), I created an account to see if I could import the information from a previous version. However, only other browsers were listed, and I can't sync from another device, as the information is stored on this machine. Creating an account has also allowed me to post here... I have opened the logins.json file with notepad, and the logins-backup.json file, and both are full of information. Of course it's not plain text, but the information is there. I can also open these files with Firefox, however, it doesn't recognize the file as the "logins and passwords" file, it just displays the encrypted information in a different (html?) format. Any advice on how I can import these 55+ logins and passwords without re-creating or changing each one of them? Thanks.
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Chosen solution

You can open logins.json in a Firefox tab to check if the file is valid JSON.

If that is the case then there is likely a problem with the key file (key4.db) that stores the encryption key.

You can check if you can find older copies of logins.json and key4.db as part of a Windows System Restore point.

You can look at a utility to browse System Restore points.

You can use the button on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page to go to the current Firefox profile folder or use the about:profiles page.

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Update: I have now realized that this problem must have been around longer than a day. Perhaps I just haven't noticed the missing passwords since the installation of version 80. Either way, it seems many people have experienced similar problems of losing data after this update (to 80).

The problem is, my missing data is the logins.json file, which includes encrypted data. Those who have lost bookmarks, and history; I cannot speak to whether those files are encrypted or not. Regardless, after several attempts at renaming or replacing the "logins.json" file with a backup, Firefox doesn't seem to load this file, as the page still reads "no logins found", even after several restarts.

I have opened the about:config page and toggled "signon.management.page.fileImport.enabled" to True. However, upon trying to import the information from a file, the favored format is a .csv file, not a .json file. So, I'm still not able to get my passwords back.

How do I coax Firefox into importing or recognizing the .json file?

Thanks,

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Chosen Solution

You can open logins.json in a Firefox tab to check if the file is valid JSON.

If that is the case then there is likely a problem with the key file (key4.db) that stores the encryption key.

You can check if you can find older copies of logins.json and key4.db as part of a Windows System Restore point.

You can look at a utility to browse System Restore points.

You can use the button on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page to go to the current Firefox profile folder or use the about:profiles page.

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cor-el said

If that is the case then there is likely a problem with the key file (key4.db) that stores the encryption key. You can check if you can find older copies of logins.json and key4.db as part of a Windows System Restore point. You can look at a utility to browse System Restore points.

Thank you, @cor-el I was able to locate an older version of the key4.db and overwrite the existing. Now all my login information is now accessible again. Thanks!