Why does Firefox delete my passwords?
So far this year, Firefox has deleted all my saved passwords 3 times. I use Windows 8.1, have checked the settings in the password manager. I am using the same computer, same version of Windows that I have used for years. I don't know how to restore them other than typing them all in again as I use the sites. How can I prevent this? If there is no way to avoid this (it seems to happen when there has been an update) is there a way to restore them? I have basic computer skills, nothing advanced. Thanks.
All Replies (6)
Can you guess as to when your passwords are lost? During an update? Firefox or system?
In the event that the passwords information is lost, you should record all information in a separate text file somewhere else on your hard drive, or written down. You can easily copy and paste if you need to do so. If you are concerned about someone else looking at that file, you can compress it using a password.
Are you using sync?
If you have sync, and there is a problem anywhere, Shut Down Sync Immediately On All Devices to prevent the problem from spreading. Once the problem is fixed, perform the same repair on all computers/profiles before using sync again.
Once after a Firefox update. The last two times there was neither a Firefox nor Windows update. I don't use sync. I do have them written down but like the ease of having them entered automatically. Thanks for your time.
I use an add-on that makes backups of my user profile, Just In Case. Unfortunately, it is not compatible with the current Firefox.
Every now and then, open the profile folder and create a copy of the current profile as is to another location on your hard drive. This way you will have a backup.
If you do this each day, you will not lose much data. This should be done with Firefox Closed.
Note: In case you need to restore from these backups, you may need to overwrite old or corrupted files.
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-to-fix-preferences-wont-save
Note: Some software, like Advanced SystemCare with Surfing Protection, can protect files in the Firefox profile folder against changes. If you have such software then check the settings or uninstall this software.
Look on your desktop. Do you see a folder called; Old Firefox?
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/recovering-important-data-from-an-old-profile
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/back-and-restore-information-firefox-profiles
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-run-firefox-when-profile-missing-inaccessible
Type about:profiles<enter> in the address bar. How many profiles are listed? How many should be there?
Do you have a logins.json.corrupt file in the profile folder?
Current Firefox release use key4.db instead of key3.db used previously. It is possible that something goes wrong with the migration the passwords to disappear.