Fix login issues on websites that require a username and password

Revision Information
  • Revision id: 870
  • Created:
  • Creator: Chris Ilias
  • Comment: s/cmd/command (bug 523783)
  • Reviewed: No
  • Ready for localization: Yes
  • Readied for localization by: AnonymousUser
Revision Source
Revision Content

If you find that you cannot log in to a website that requires a username and password, follow the steps described in this article.


Enable cookies for the website

Make sure that cookies are enabled for the site in question:

  1. In the Menu bar at the top of the screen, click Firefox and then select Preferences or Settings, depending on your macOS version.Click the menu button Fx89menuButton and select Settings.

Select the Privacy & Security panel and go to the History section.

  • In the drop-down menu next to Firefox will, choose Use custom settings for history.

    1. Make sure Accept cookies from sites is selected.
    2. Make sure Accept third party cookies is selected.
    1. Click Exceptions....
    2. Make sure the site you're trying to access isn't listed.
      • If it is listed, click on its entry, then click Remove Site.
    1. In the Menu bar at the top of the screen, click Firefox and then select Preferences or Settings, depending on your macOS version.Click the menu button Fx89menuButton and select Settings.
    2. Click the Privacy icon.
    3. Make sure Accept cookies from sites is selected.
    4. Make sure Accept third party cookies is selected.
    1. Click Exceptions....
    2. Make sure the site you're trying to access isn't listed.
      • If it is listed, click on its entry, then click Remove Site.

    If you changed any settings, try logging in to the site again.

    Clear history for that site

    The cookies and temporary data already stored on your computer may be causing the problem. Delete them, then test for your problem:

    1. At the top of the Firefox windowOn the menu bar, click on the History menu and select Show All History to open the Library window.
    2. At the top right corner, type the name of the website you wish to forget in the Search History field, and press EnterReturn.
    3. In the resulting list, right-clickhold down the Ctrl key while you click on the site you wish to forget, and select Forget About This Site.
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    4. Close the Library window.

    Clear cookies for that site

    The cookies for the site with problems that are already stored on your computer may be causing the problem. Delete them and then test for your problem:

    1. In the Menu bar at the top of the screen, click Firefox and then select Preferences or Settings, depending on your macOS version.Click the menu button Fx89menuButton and select Settings.
    2. Select the Privacy panel.
    3. Click Show Cookies.... The Cookies window will appear.
    4. In the Search: field, type the name of the site whose cookies you want to remove. The cookies that match your search will be displayed.
    5. Select the cookie(s) in the list to remove and click Remove Cookie.
      • Pressing Ctrlcommand+A will select all the cookies in the list.
    1. Click Close to close the Cookies window.
    2. Close the Settings page. Any changes you've made will automatically be saved.

    Clear all cookies and the cache

    If deleting cookies for the site with the problem did not fix the error, clear all the cookies stored on your computer and clear the Firefox cache:

    1. On the menu bar, click Tools, then select Clear Recent History....
    2. In the Time Range to clear: dropdown, select Everything.
    3. Click the arrow next to Details to display the list of items that can be cleared.
      ae6b5fbd2dc1c3e4ca37ac0e94974c4a-1251586546-754-1.png
    4. Select both Cookies and Cache.
    5. Click Clear Now.
    1. On the menu bar, click Tools, then select Clear Private Data....
    2. Select both Cookies and Cache.
      ae6b5fbd2dc1c3e4ca37ac0e94974c4a-1251586735-924-1.png
    3. Click Clear Private Data Now.

    Check Extensions and Plugins

    Some extensions can cause problems with logging in to websites, especially extensions associated with certain websites. For example:

    Some plugins can also cause problems logging in to websites. See the Troubleshoot issues with plugins like Flash or Java to fix common Firefox problems article for instructions on how to determine whether a plugin is causing your problem.

    Security application is blocking cookies

    Some Internet security and privacy applications have features that block cookies.

    ZoneAlarm

    The ZoneAlarm user guide contains information on allowing cookies.

    CA Personal Firewall

    CA Knowledge Document 2637 contains information on allowing cookies.

    Remove corrupt cookies file

    If you cannot log in to websites after removing the cookies associated with it, clearing your Firefox cache, and trying with your extensions and plugins disabled, and have checked security software, you may have a corrupt cookies file in your Firefox profile folder.

    This will remove all your stored cookies and essentially log you out of all saved sessions on all websites.

    1. Open your profile folder:

      • Click the menu button Fx89menuButton, click Help and select More Troubleshooting Information.From the Help menu, select More Troubleshooting Information. The Troubleshooting Information tab will open.
      • Under the Application Basics section next to Profile FolderDirectory, click Open FolderShow in FinderOpen Directory. A window will open that contains your profile folder.Your profile folder will open.
      Note: If you are unable to open or use Firefox, follow the instructions in Finding your profile without opening Firefox.

    2. Click the Firefox menu Fx89menuButton and select Exit.Click the Firefox menu at the top of the screen and select Quit Firefox.Click the Firefox menu Fx89menuButton and select Quit.
    3. Delete the cookies.sqlite file and any cookies.sqlite-journal files.
    4. Restart Firefox.



    Includes information from Websites report cookies are disabled (mozillaZine KB)