Locked or damaged places.sqlite: Difference between revisions

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(→‎Damaged Places database: added first step, Places Maintenance add-on and reordered solutions)
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===Problems limited to bookmarks===
===Problems limited to bookmarks===
If the Places database damage seems to be limited to bookmarks, for example, if certain bookmarks cannot be deleted, moved, or edited [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=38&p=4800245], try creating a new bookmark backup file in Firefox via "Bookmarks -> Show all (or Organize) Bookmarks -> Import and Backup -> Backup" and then [[Backing_up_and_restoring_bookmarks_-_Firefox#Restoring_bookmarks_from_backup|restore the new backup]], as an alternative to rebuilding the Places database.  This may work since, in Firefox 3.0.5 and above,  the bookmark backup process bypasses certain invalid places.sqlite entries that may exist.  [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=448584]  and has the advantage of preserving your browsing history.  Using  [http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/ PC Tools Spyware Doctor] is reported to cause this type of bookmark damage so you should contact PC Tools support for a solution or else stop using the software.  [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=968095] [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=952555&p=5025405] [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=966655]
If the Places database damage seems to be limited to bookmarks, for example, if certain bookmarks cannot be deleted, moved, or edited [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=38&p=4800245], try creating a new bookmark backup file in Firefox via "Bookmarks -> Show all (or Organize) Bookmarks -> Import and Backup -> Backup" and then [[Backing_up_and_restoring_bookmarks_-_Firefox#Restoring_bookmarks_from_backup|restore the new backup]], as an alternative to rebuilding the Places database.  This may work since, in Firefox 3.0.5 and above,  the bookmark backup process bypasses certain invalid places.sqlite entries that may exist.  [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=448584]  and has the advantage of preserving your browsing history.  Using  [http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/ PC Tools Spyware Doctor] is reported to cause this type of bookmark damage so you should contact PC Tools support for a solution or else stop using the software.  [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=968095] [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=952555&p=5025405] [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=966655]
===Rename places.sqlite.corrupt file===
If your Firefox profile folder includes a "places.sqlite.corrupt" file in addition to "places.sqlite", one reported fix is to open the [[Profile folder - Firefox|Firefox profile folder]] and, after [[kill application|closing Firefox completely]], delete or rename the places.sqlite file and then rename "places.sqlite.corrupt" to "places.sqlite".  (If you see any other  places.sqlite* files, delete those as well, so that only one places.sqlite file remains.)  It is possible that certain security or "cleanup" software (e.g., CCleaner) is causing the places.sqlite file corruption.  It is also possible that  Firefox was not closed properly,  as might happen when your computer  loses power with Firefox running, which can cause a corrupt places.sqlite file.  Always make sure that you close Firefox properly (e.g., no Firefox processes in the Windows Task Manager) before shutting down the computer. [http://support.mozilla.com/questions/803069]
   
   
===Rebuild Places database===
===Rebuild Places database===
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#[[Kill application|Close Firefox completely]]  
#[[Kill application|Close Firefox completely]]  
#Open the [[Profile folder - Firefox|Firefox profile folder]]
#Open the [[Profile folder - Firefox|Firefox profile folder]]
#Delete or rename all files named "places.sqlite", including "places.sqlite-journal" and any "places.sqlite.corrupt" files, if found.  
#Delete or rename all files named "places.sqlite", including "places.sqlite-journal" and any "places.sqlite.corrupt" files, if found (but first, see below, [[#If a places.sqlite.corrupt file exists|if a places.sqlite.corrupt file exists]]).
When you restart Firefox, "places.sqlite" will be rebuilt and your bookmarks will be automatically restored from the latest [[bookmarkbackups folder|JSON bookmark backup]]; however, your browsing history will be lost.  [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=653460&p=4779265] [http://support.mozilla.com/tiki-view_forum_thread.php?forumId=1&comments_threshold=0&comments_parentId=145347&comments_offset=40&comments_per_page=20] [http://support.mozilla.com/tiki-view_forum_thread.php?&comments_parentId=158802&forumId=1] [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=605038&p=3149325]   
When you restart Firefox, "places.sqlite" will be rebuilt and your bookmarks will be automatically restored from the latest [[bookmarkbackups folder|JSON bookmark backup]]; however, your browsing history will be lost.  [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=653460&p=4779265] [http://support.mozilla.com/tiki-view_forum_thread.php?forumId=1&comments_threshold=0&comments_parentId=145347&comments_offset=40&comments_per_page=20] [http://support.mozilla.com/tiki-view_forum_thread.php?&comments_parentId=158802&forumId=1] [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=605038&p=3149325]   


'''Note:'''  In rare cases, your JSON bookmark backup files may also be damaged.  You can optionally rebuild the Places database without using any JSON backups by also removing all "bookmarks-(date).json" files from the [[bookmarkbackups folder]] but this will result in missing bookmarks unless the profile folder contains a [[bookmarks.html]] file with your current bookmarks.  Check the creation date on your bookmarks.html as it's use within Firefox was dropped starting with Firefox 3 and is now essentially used as a vehicle to transfer bookmarks between systems.  If you have a [[Export bookmarks|bookmarks.html export]] or a saved copy of bookmarks.html,  you can place it in the Firefox profile folder after removing the "places.sqlite*" and all JSON bookmark backups and Firefox will use those bookmarks to rebuild "places.sqlite".
'''Note:'''  In rare cases, your JSON bookmark backup files may also be damaged.  You can optionally rebuild the Places database without using any JSON backups by also removing all "bookmarks-(date).json" files from the [[bookmarkbackups folder]] but this will result in missing bookmarks unless the profile folder contains a [[bookmarks.html]] file with your current bookmarks.  Check the creation date on your bookmarks.html as it's use within Firefox was dropped starting with Firefox 3 and is now essentially used as a vehicle to transfer bookmarks between systems.  If you have a [[Export bookmarks|bookmarks.html export]] or a saved copy of bookmarks.html,  you can place it in the Firefox profile folder after removing the "places.sqlite*" and all JSON bookmark backups and Firefox will use those bookmarks to rebuild "places.sqlite".
===If a places.sqlite.corrupt file exists===
If your Firefox profile folder includes a "places.sqlite.corrupt" file,  one reported fix is to open the [[Profile folder - Firefox|Firefox profile folder]] and, after [[kill application|closing Firefox completely]], delete or rename the places.sqlite file and then rename "places.sqlite.corrupt" to "places.sqlite".  (If you see any other  places.sqlite* files, delete those as well, so that only one places.sqlite file remains.)  It is possible that certain security or "cleanup" software (e.g., CCleaner) is causing the places.sqlite file corruption.  It is also possible that  Firefox was not closed properly,  as might happen when your computer  loses power with Firefox running, which can cause a corrupt places.sqlite file.  Always make sure that you close Firefox properly (e.g., no Firefox processes in the Windows Task Manager) before shutting down the computer. [http://support.mozilla.com/questions/803069]


==Other solutions==
==Other solutions==

Revision as of 14:40, 17 October 2011

Starting in Firefox 3, bookmarks and browsing history are stored in the places.sqlite file, located in the Firefox profile folder. If the Places database is locked or damaged, many Firefox functions will not work and the following symptoms may occur:

  • Firefox opens to a blank page instead of the home page
  • Toolbar buttons such as Back/Forward are disabled
  • Bookmarks and history are missing
  • URL is not updated in the Location Bar as you browse
  • Bookmarking a page has no effect
  • Unable to delete, move, or edit certain bookmarks
  • Periodic hangs and "Not responding" errors

Note: For other solutions to missing bookmarks, see Lost bookmarks. If changes made to bookmarks are lost when you restart Firefox, see Bookmarks not saved. If deleting a large quantity of bookmarks is very slow or causes a hang, see Firefox hangs.

Locked Places database

If Firefox works normally when you first open it after starting up the computer but multiple symptoms arise after you close and later reopen Firefox, it's likely that a Firefox process from a previous session did not close properly and the Places database ("places.sqlite" file) is locked. To work around the issue, close Firefox completely, end any Firefox processes (or reboot the computer), and restart Firefox. [1]

If this is a recurring problem, see Firefox hangs - Hang at exit and check for problematic extensions. Note: Starting in Firefox 3.5, if you open Firefox and the Places database is locked you will see the message, The bookmarks and history system will not be functional because one of Firefox's files is in use by another application. Some security software can cause this problem. [2]

Damaged Places database

If the symptoms described earlier occur even when you first start Firefox after rebooting the computer, the Places database (places.sqlite file) may be damaged.

Other solutions are listed below.

Problems limited to bookmarks

If the Places database damage seems to be limited to bookmarks, for example, if certain bookmarks cannot be deleted, moved, or edited [4], try creating a new bookmark backup file in Firefox via "Bookmarks -> Show all (or Organize) Bookmarks -> Import and Backup -> Backup" and then restore the new backup, as an alternative to rebuilding the Places database. This may work since, in Firefox 3.0.5 and above, the bookmark backup process bypasses certain invalid places.sqlite entries that may exist. [5] and has the advantage of preserving your browsing history. Using PC Tools Spyware Doctor is reported to cause this type of bookmark damage so you should contact PC Tools support for a solution or else stop using the software. [6] [7] [8]

Rebuild Places database

If the previous solutions didn't resolve the problem, you can rebuild the Places database as follows: (You may wish to export your bookmarks to an HTML file first, as a precaution.)

Warning: Deleting or renaming the places.sqlite file will result in rebuilding the places database and loss of all browsing history, which is used for features such as the Location Bar Auto Complete drop-down (AwesomeBar) list. First try the other solutions given above.

  1. Close Firefox completely
  2. Open the Firefox profile folder
  3. Delete or rename all files named "places.sqlite", including "places.sqlite-journal" and any "places.sqlite.corrupt" files, if found (but first, see below, if a places.sqlite.corrupt file exists).

When you restart Firefox, "places.sqlite" will be rebuilt and your bookmarks will be automatically restored from the latest JSON bookmark backup; however, your browsing history will be lost. [9] [10] [11] [12]

Note: In rare cases, your JSON bookmark backup files may also be damaged. You can optionally rebuild the Places database without using any JSON backups by also removing all "bookmarks-(date).json" files from the bookmarkbackups folder but this will result in missing bookmarks unless the profile folder contains a bookmarks.html file with your current bookmarks. Check the creation date on your bookmarks.html as it's use within Firefox was dropped starting with Firefox 3 and is now essentially used as a vehicle to transfer bookmarks between systems. If you have a bookmarks.html export or a saved copy of bookmarks.html, you can place it in the Firefox profile folder after removing the "places.sqlite*" and all JSON bookmark backups and Firefox will use those bookmarks to rebuild "places.sqlite".

If a places.sqlite.corrupt file exists

If your Firefox profile folder includes a "places.sqlite.corrupt" file, one reported fix is to open the Firefox profile folder and, after closing Firefox completely, delete or rename the places.sqlite file and then rename "places.sqlite.corrupt" to "places.sqlite". (If you see any other places.sqlite* files, delete those as well, so that only one places.sqlite file remains.) It is possible that certain security or "cleanup" software (e.g., CCleaner) is causing the places.sqlite file corruption. It is also possible that Firefox was not closed properly, as might happen when your computer loses power with Firefox running, which can cause a corrupt places.sqlite file. Always make sure that you close Firefox properly (e.g., no Firefox processes in the Windows Task Manager) before shutting down the computer. [13]

Other solutions

  • A Windows user reports that running the CHKDSK utility fixed the Places database corruption that occurred after a crash. [14]
  • A Linux user suggests that you check file permissions within your profile directory (e.g. ~/.mozilla/firefox/ljzv2exp.default/). [15]
  • Linux users report that updating Sqlite and then removing all places.sqlite* files resolves the issue. For more information, read this Firefox Support topic and this forum thread.
  • A Mac user reports multiple problems with bookmarks and history if the environment variable DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH is set for the login via the file ~/.MacOSX/environment.plist. Removing "environment.plist" and then logging out and back in resolves the issue. [16]
  • Go through the standard diagnostic steps or create a new Firefox profile to see if that solves the problem. [17]
  • Firefox 3.5 implements preventative maintenance for places.sqlite [18] [19] so, you are still using Firefox 3.0, upgrade Firefox to the latest version, available here.

See also

External links

Related bug reports