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.

Profile data can be removed or not recorded several ways;

• 1) Running Firefox in Private Mode (nothing is recorded)
• 2) Privacy settings; (In the address bar, type about:preferences#privacy<enter>)
• 3) Many disk cleaners and anti-virus type programs can remove data from browsers. Open their settings and have them leave the browsers alone.
• 4) Mal-ware.

Close Firefox when not in use. For the next few days, run Firefox in Safe Mode only. Is the problem still there?

Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web link} by holding down the <Shift> (Mac=Options) key, and then starting Firefox.

A small dialog should appear. Click Start In Safe Mode (not Refresh).

Are you using any bookmark add-ons?

Do you have any cleanup or other software scheduled to run at that time that might be causing this?

FredMcD said

Are you using any bookmark add-ons?

Not running any bookmark add-ons.

cor-el said

Do you have any cleanup or other software scheduled to run at that time that might be causing this?

Not thought about that, but it often happens during the day as well, not just at night. I will check the back-up software that runs nighttime and hold it off for a couple of days, and see if that makes a difference. Thanks for the suggestion.

FredMcD said

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.

---

Profile data can be removed or not recorded several ways;

• 1) Running Firefox in Private Mode (nothing is recorded)
• 2) Privacy settings; (In the address bar, type about:preferences#privacy<enter>)
• 3) Many disk cleaners and anti-virus type programs can remove data from browsers. Open their settings and have them leave the browsers alone.
• 4) Mal-ware.

---

Close Firefox when not in use. For the next few days, run Firefox in Safe Mode only. Is the problem still there?

Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web link} by holding down the <Shift> (Mac=Options) key, and then starting Firefox.

A small dialog should appear. Click Start In Safe Mode (not Refresh).

Thank you for the suggestion. I will try running in safe mode and see if that makes a difference.

There was an upgrade yesterday to 58.0.2 and the problem still happened.

Quote: I always get a message afterwards saying "Unable to process the backup file", but the bookmarks are restored

This error is an indication that places.sqlite is corrupted and that can also cause bookmarks to get lost. If Firefox notices that the file is corrupted then a new places.sqlite file is created and the bookmarks are restored from a recent JSON backup (bookmarkbackups folder). The corrupted places.sqlite file is renamed to places.sqlite.corrupt, so you can check for the presence of such files.

You can check for problems with the places.sqlite database (bookmarks and history) in the Firefox profile folder.

• use "Verify Integrity" on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page

See also:

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Locked_or_damaged_places.sqlite
• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/Bookmarks+not+saved#w_fix-the-bookmarks-file

If "Verify Integrity" on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page cannot repair places.sqlite then remove all places.sqlite files Firefox profile folder. Firefox will rebuild places.sqlite and restore the bookmarks from the most 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
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Unable_to_process_the_backup_file_-_Firefox

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 Directory:
  Windows: Show Folder; Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox

FredMcD said

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.

---

Profile data can be removed or not recorded several ways;

• 1) Running Firefox in Private Mode (nothing is recorded)
• 2) Privacy settings; (In the address bar, type about:preferences#privacy<enter>)
• 3) Many disk cleaners and anti-virus type programs can remove data from browsers. Open their settings and have them leave the browsers alone.
• 4) Mal-ware.

---

Close Firefox when not in use. For the next few days, run Firefox in Safe Mode only. Is the problem still there?

Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web link} by holding down the <Shift> (Mac=Options) key, and then starting Firefox.

A small dialog should appear. Click Start In Safe Mode (not Refresh).

For two weeks now I have had the Sync shut down and the problem has never occurred again.

Thank you for that recommendation.

Good to hear. My advice is to change the sync password.

Resetting the sync password, or changing its e-mail, will remove all data from the servers.

This is a security feature. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/ive-lost-my-firefox-sync-account-information

• I've lost my Firefox Sync account information - What to do
• I’ve forgotten, or don't have access to, my Firefox Account email address

After, then restore each device one at a time. And watch for problems.