Profile cannot be loaded: Difference between revisions
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If you attempt to start your Mozilla application and you see a "Profile Missing" dialog with a message that your Firefox, Thunderbird, or SeaMonkey ''profile cannot be loaded. It may be missing or inaccessible'', it usually means that the [[profile folder]] referenced in the [[profiles.ini file]] is either not accessible or cannot be located. | If you attempt to start your Mozilla application and you see a "Profile Missing" dialog with a message that your Firefox, Thunderbird, or SeaMonkey ''profile cannot be loaded. It may be missing or inaccessible'', it usually means that the [[profile folder]] referenced in the [[profiles.ini file]] is either not accessible or cannot be located. | ||
* If you see this error message after using Apple's [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Migration_Assistant_%28Apple%29 Migration Assistant] on Mac OS, see the [[Profile missing after using Migration Assistant on Mac OS]] article for solutions. | |||
'''Note:''' This error message may sometimes appear after selecting the "Close Firefox" button that's been added to the [[Firefox is already running but is not responding]] error dialog on Windows, starting in Firefox 34 ([https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1068657 bug 1068657]). If this happens, simply dismiss the dialog, wait a few seconds, then start Firefox as you normally do. Alternatively, open the Windows Task Manager, end all Firefox processes and then start Firefox. | '''Note:''' This error message may sometimes appear after selecting the "Close Firefox" button that's been added to the [[Firefox is already running but is not responding]] error dialog on Windows, starting in Firefox 34 ([https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1068657 bug 1068657]). If this happens, simply dismiss the dialog, wait a few seconds, then start Firefox as you normally do. Alternatively, open the Windows Task Manager, end all Firefox processes and then start Firefox. | ||
== Profile is not accessible or cannot be located == | |||
A "Profile Missing" error can occur if you delete, rename or move the [[profile folder]] for your Mozilla appication, if you run the application from removable media, or if the profile folder is stored on a network drive (see [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=278860 bug 278860] for the background). To resolve the problem: | |||
If possible, restore the profile folder to its original name and location, so that your Mozilla application can find it. Alternately, you can edit the [[profiles.ini file]] to show the changed location, as suggested in the [[Profile_in_use#Check_the_profiles.ini_file |Profile in use]] article. If you moved the profile folder, another solution is use the [[Profile Manager]] to create a new profile that points to the new folder location, by using the "Choose Folder" option during the profile creation process. See [[Moving your profile folder]] for details. | |||
If possible, restore the | |||
'''Important''': If you deleted your only profile folder, have no backup to restore and are now seeing the "profile cannot be loaded" message, you can create a new Firefox, Thunderbird, or SeaMonkey profile and then start your Mozilla application, using one of these methods: | '''Important''': If you deleted your only profile folder, have no backup to restore and are now seeing the "profile cannot be loaded" message, you can create a new Firefox, Thunderbird, or SeaMonkey profile and then start your Mozilla application, using one of these methods: | ||
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*[https://support.mozilla.org/kb/how-run-firefox-when-profile-missing-inaccessible How to run Firefox when your profile is missing or inaccessible] at Mozilla Support | *[https://support.mozilla.org/kb/how-run-firefox-when-profile-missing-inaccessible How to run Firefox when your profile is missing or inaccessible] at Mozilla Support | ||
'''Related bug reports''' | |||
*[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=278860 Bug 278860] - confusing "profile in use"/"already running" error when profile is missing (not found) | *[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=278860 Bug 278860] - confusing "profile in use"/"already running" error when profile is missing (not found) | ||
*[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=752822 Bug 752822] - Profile missing error message should indicate to user the location of the profile | *[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=752822 Bug 752822] - Profile missing error message should indicate to user the location of the profile | ||
Revision as of 20:04, 23 November 2014
If you attempt to start your Mozilla application and you see a "Profile Missing" dialog with a message that your Firefox, Thunderbird, or SeaMonkey profile cannot be loaded. It may be missing or inaccessible, it usually means that the profile folder referenced in the profiles.ini file is either not accessible or cannot be located.
- If you see this error message after using Apple's Migration Assistant on Mac OS, see the Profile missing after using Migration Assistant on Mac OS article for solutions.
Note: This error message may sometimes appear after selecting the "Close Firefox" button that's been added to the Firefox is already running but is not responding error dialog on Windows, starting in Firefox 34 (bug 1068657). If this happens, simply dismiss the dialog, wait a few seconds, then start Firefox as you normally do. Alternatively, open the Windows Task Manager, end all Firefox processes and then start Firefox.
Profile is not accessible or cannot be located
A "Profile Missing" error can occur if you delete, rename or move the profile folder for your Mozilla appication, if you run the application from removable media, or if the profile folder is stored on a network drive (see bug 278860 for the background). To resolve the problem:
If possible, restore the profile folder to its original name and location, so that your Mozilla application can find it. Alternately, you can edit the profiles.ini file to show the changed location, as suggested in the Profile in use article. If you moved the profile folder, another solution is use the Profile Manager to create a new profile that points to the new folder location, by using the "Choose Folder" option during the profile creation process. See Moving your profile folder for details.
Important: If you deleted your only profile folder, have no backup to restore and are now seeing the "profile cannot be loaded" message, you can create a new Firefox, Thunderbird, or SeaMonkey profile and then start your Mozilla application, using one of these methods:
- Use the Profile Manager to create a new profile.
- Show hidden files and folders, if necessary, and then delete or rename the profiles.ini file (or the Firefox, Thunderbird, or SeaMonkey folder that contains it) in the profile folder path. A new default profile will be created when you next start your Mozilla application.
See also
External links
- How to run Firefox when your profile is missing or inaccessible at Mozilla Support
Related bug reports
- Bug 278860 - confusing "profile in use"/"already running" error when profile is missing (not found)
- Bug 752822 - Profile missing error message should indicate to user the location of the profile
- Bug 1068657 - Sometimes "Profile Missing" dialog appears after closing the Firefox process in the "Firefox already running" dialog
