Does Firefox 80.0 create corrupted/unusable backup files?
At approximately the time FF updated automatically to release 80.0, I was unable to save a backup file (json) and restore it to another computer. First time this happened. When I completely removed FF 80.0 from the target computer and tried again, I continued to get the message: "Unable to process the backup file."
I can only imagine that FF 80.0 on the source computer is producing faulty backup JSON files.
Suggested solutions I've seen for this error message are from older FF versions.
Chosen solution
JSON files are coded. Try this:
These instructions are for Firefox. Other browsers should also be able to do this.
These instructions will combine the new bookmarks with the old.
Open the Bookmarks Manager; Press the Alt or F10 key to bring up the toolbar, and select Bookmarks. Hot key is <Control> (Mac=<Command>) <Shift> B.
Once the window is open, at the top of the page, press the button labeled Import and Backup. Select Export Bookmarks To HTML, and follow the prompts and save it to a HTML file. Copy the file to another computer/profile. Repeat the instructions above, BUT select Import Bookmarks From HTML.
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/restore-bookmarks-from-backup-or-move-them
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/recover-lost-or-missing-bookmarks
Mozilla search: Import {web link}
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Chosen Solution
JSON files are coded. Try this:
These instructions are for Firefox. Other browsers should also be able to do this.
These instructions will combine the new bookmarks with the old.
Open the Bookmarks Manager; Press the Alt or F10 key to bring up the toolbar, and select Bookmarks. Hot key is <Control> (Mac=<Command>) <Shift> B.
Once the window is open, at the top of the page, press the button labeled Import and Backup. Select Export Bookmarks To HTML, and follow the prompts and save it to a HTML file. Copy the file to another computer/profile. Repeat the instructions above, BUT select Import Bookmarks From HTML.
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/restore-bookmarks-from-backup-or-move-them
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/recover-lost-or-missing-bookmarks
Mozilla search: Import {web link}
If you use Sync then best is to disconnect Sync temporarily during troubleshooting.
This can be caused by a problem with the places.sqlite and favicons.sqlite databases in the Firefox profile folder.
- use "Verify Integrity" button on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page
If errors are reported with "Verify Integrity", close and restart Firefox and retry.
If "Verify Integrity" cannot repair places.sqlite, rename/remove all places.sqlite and favicons.sqlite files in the Firefox profile folder. Firefox will rebuild places.sqlite and restore the bookmarks from a recent JSON backup in the bookmarkbackups folder.
- keep a backup copy of places.sqlite in case a new places.sqlite database has to be created
See also:
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/Bookmarks+not+saved#w_fix-the-bookmarks-file
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/fix-bookmarks-and-history-will-not-be-functional
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.
- Help -> Troubleshooting Information -> Profile Folder/Directory:
Windows: Open Folder; Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder - https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-firefox-stores-user-data
Thanks for the suggested solutions. The problem seems to have self-corrected. I was having a problem with Malwarebytes browser extension preventing right-click download of images. The solution was to turn off Scam protection in Malwarebytes, and around the time I did that, the JSON file backup/restore began working as well. Go figure.
That was very good work. Well Done. Please flag your last post as Solved Problem as this can help others with similar problems.
You should contact Malwarebyte's support on this.
How do I mark it as solved?
I found the solution on the Malwarebytes forum.
At the far right of that message, click on the 'Solved Problem' link.