What is causing the favicons issue on Firefox?
We investigated this particular issue by looking at various user reports and the repair strategies that are commonly used to fix this particular issue on Windows computers. As it turns out, there are several different reasons why this particular issue occurs:
Method 1: Updating Firefox to the latest version
This particular issue is almost as old as the browser itself. Firefox has released several updates that included a hotfix for this issue, but some users are still encountering it on the latest builds. However, since the issue has been addressed, you’re first starting point should be to make sure that you’re using the latest Firefox build. Starting with build 58, the developers have announced that they have patched most instances that are known to trigger this particular issues. While this won’t necessarily resolve the issue if your favicons are already messed up, it will ensure that it won’t happen again in the future. Here’s a quick guide on updating Firefox to the latest version: If your Firefox browser was already updated to the latest version or this method didn’t fix your broken favicons, move down to the next method below.
Method 2: Adding a ‘/’ behind the link
This might seem like a silly fix, but a lot of affected users have reported that simply adding an at the end of the URL before visiting it ended up resolving the issue for them. Hoverer, some users reported that this fix was only temporary as the issue returned several days later. Let’s say that the favicon belonging to www.google.com/ is messed up. To fix it, type www.google.com// in the navigation bar and press Enter to refresh the icon. The icon should be replaced as soon as the website is loaded. If this issue wasn’t effective or you’re looking for a permanent approach, move down to the next method below.
Method 3: Deleting the favicons.sqlite file
The quickest and most efficient solution that will resolve the issue in most cases is to simply navigate to the AppData folder of Firefox, find your profile folder and delete the file name favicons.sqlite while Firefox is closed. This process will force Firefox to create a new favicon .sqlite file at the next browser startup. But keep in mind that after this operation is complete, all your bookmarks will have a generic favicon. Only after you visit a bookmark the icon will be updated to the site’s favicon. Here’s a quick guide on fixing the issue by deleting the favicons.sqlite file: If you’re still encountering the same exact issue, move down to the next method below.
Method 4: Clearing web cache
Another way to go around resolving this issue is to clear the web cache of Firefox. Similarly to the first method, this will force it to download the favicons all over again. Several affected users have reported that this method finally enabled them to resolve the issue for good. Here’s a quick guide on how to clear Firefox’s web cache in order to fix the favicon issue: If you’re still encountering this issue or you’re looking for a way to modify your favicons manually, move down to the next method below.
Method 5: Forcing Firefox to update the favicons
If your issue is slightly different – Firefox fails to update older website logos with new versions – you can actually force the browser to think that all your favicons have expired and update them automatically. Several affected users have reported that this method finally allowed them to fix the favicon issue on Mozilla Firefox. Here’s what you need to do: If this method wasn’t successful or you’re looking for a manual way of fixing your Firefox favicon not displaying correctly, move down to the next method below.
Method 6: Fixing the affected favicons manually
This is definitely not the best solution for those that are not tech savvy, but there is a manual way that will allow you to fix your broken favicons. Several affected users have managed to resolve the issue by exporting the entire bookmark list in an HTML file and modifying the icon before importing the bookmark list right back. This method is perfect to use in those instances where you’re only dealing with one or a couple of broken favicons. Here’s a quick guide on fixing the affected favicons manually: After completing this process, your favicon icons should be fixed.
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