why is firefox losing my history, it used to save it for a week
Firefox used to save my history for a week, then drop a day at a time with a new day of history. About a week ago it started only saving "today" history. I could open Firefox the next day and "yesterday" would be there until I visited a website, then "yesterday" would be gone and today's first visit would be the only history shown. I have gone to Firefox "options" and gone through the privacy and security settings and see no changes..... I have used CCleaner, IObit and AVG for years and not had a problem until this about a week ago. Help please.
All Replies (8)
Did you check the settings in "Clear history when Firefox closes"?
- do not clear the Browsing History
- Options/Preferences -> Privacy -> Firefox will: "Use custom settings for history": [X] "Clear history when Firefox closes" -> Settings
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/delete-browsing-search-download-history-firefox
Note that it is best not to use external cleanup software, but use built-in Firefox means to avoid corrupting files.
You can check for problems with the places.sqlite database (bookmarks and history) in the Firefox profile folder.
See also:
I use "Custom Settings" and clear history is "unchecked". I have gotten no error messages or messages of any kind from Firefox that would indicate a problem with Firefox. I have no problem saving "bookmarks" or reviewing my bookmarks. Is it possible that Firefox is damages and a download and fresh install woulld correct my loss of history??
Current Firefox releases have no limit for saving the history other than a maximum to the number of visit pages (usually around 100,000). If you do not keep the history then it is either not saved (e.g. private browsing mode or saving history is disabled) or there is a problem with the places.sqlite database or external security software is clearing history.
If you used to keep it for a week, was your history removed weekly by CCleaner or other software?
I use custom settings and private browsing is UNCHECKED, and clear history when closed is UNCHECKED. It just seemed to happen that history was not kept for more that a week. My CCleaner is set up so it never removed my firefox history. I could run CCleaner, AVG, or IObit and not lose my Firefox history. I could run either of the previously mentioned now and today's history would remain in the firefox history. Would downloading a new firefox and reinstalling firefox replace a damaged places.sqlite database?
If you previously didn't keep history for longer than a week then something was already wrong. If it is exactly one week then you need to check for scheduled tasks in Windows that run at around the time your history disappears.
The places.sqlite file is a file in the profile folder and this folder isn't affected by a reinstall.
Did you try Places Maintenance?
If the Places Maintenance extension can't repair the places.sqlite database then remove all places.sqlite file(s) in the Firefox profile folder to make Firefox rebuild the places.sqlite database 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
FF Quantum 57.0.2 The only history that FF seems to maintain is 'today' and 'yesterday'. CCleaner is set to not touch history at all.
Without getting into mumbo-jumbo is there a secret setting buried someplace that I'm not seeing that would expand the length of my FF 'history?'
If this is a 'peculiarity' of FF Quantum can I get back my 'old' ordinary FF to replace Quantum? Is that the solution?
Thank you.
Firefox will keep history indefinitely up to a maximum number of pages. If this isn't the case for you then you either have an extension (not likely that an WebExtension can do this) or Firefox history setting not to keep history (you already checked related settings) or you have external cleanup software.
Did you try to exclude Firefox entirely from CCleaner and other software to see if that has effect?
Thanks. I'll try the CCleaner option removing FF from being scanned. Thank you again for your prompt reply. Dave