Bookmarks toolbar disappears on Mozilla Firefox browser

[Dunlin]

When I start up my laptop and open Firefox for the first time, I find my bookmarks toolbar has disappeared, even though the option to display the toolbar is still selected. The Mozilla community had no answer to this problem (https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/979656?esab=a&s=&r=0&as=s). Is it possible that Avast is blocking the toolbar from loading?

I would be grateful for any advice.

[olddog]

When I start up my laptop and open Firefox for the first time, I find my bookmarks toolbar has disappeared, even though the option to display the toolbar is still selected. The Mozilla community had no answer to this problem (https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/979656?esab=a&s=&r=0&as=s). Is it possible that Avast is blocking the toolbar from loading?

It doesn't happen here, so:-

What operating system (XP/Vista/Win 7/Win and is it 32 or 64 bit?
What is the full version number of your Avast, and is it the free version or one of the paid versions.?
What version of Firefox?
Do you have AOS installed and enabled - what happens if you disable it?.
How did your avast get to be the version it is - did you update from within the program or use a clean install?.
Did you have another brand AV installed before Avast, and if so did you remove it using the specific product uninstall tool?.

[jwoods301]

In Firefox, press ALT - H, select "Restart with Add-ons disabled", and see if the toolbar displays the way it should.

[Dunlin]

Thanks for your replies.

If I restart Firefox with Add-ons disabled, the toolbar doesn't load - it is also disabled then.

Operating system - Windows 7, Service Pack 1, 64 bit
Avast - free version 2014.9.0.2008
Firefox - latest version 26.0

I had to do a clean re-install the last time the Avast programme was updated when I accidentally selected the trial version - there was no option to go back to the free version without doing this.

I have always used Avast and no other antivirus software on my laptop.

[abruptum]

Try to install the same Firefox version "over the top" and see if that helps.Otherwise,only solution is to
install Firefox again with clean profile.

[Para-Noid]

Update avast http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=142936.msg1036519#msg1036519

[Dunlin]

Avast is now bang up to date and I tried resetting Firefox. But the problem is still there.

"We have also beefed up the Browser Cleanup tool to be able to rip off even the more stubborn toolbars and other "PUBEs" (Pontentially Unwanted Browser Extensions"

I don't use any "Browser Cleanup tool", but is Avast automatically removing my bookmarks toolbar?

[olddog]

If I restart Firefox with Add-ons disabled, the toolbar doesn't load - it is also disabled then.

It would have been simpler just to disable the Avast AOS add on (extension).

I personally think you should update (via a complete uninstall/cleanup/reinstall) to 2014.9.0.2011, however that is up to you.
I am running 2014.9.0.2011 on Windows 7 Pro, 64 bit, with Firefox 26 and I don't have the issue you describe. I am reasonably sure your problem is with your Firefox installation, and not Avast.

My first suggestion would be to simply try resetting the Firefox profile - see https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/reset-firefox-easily-fix-most-problems

If you want to remove the Avast brower AOS add on from the issue altogether, you can:-

Goto Start->Control Panel->Programs and Features.
Double click on Avast! Free Antivius
If you get a User Account Control dialogue, click on yes.
Click on Change, then Continue
Untick Browser Protection, then click Continue

edit: You can also untick Browser Cleanup if you like

I personally don't have AOS installed - in my view it causes more issues than it's worth.

[Dunlin]

Thanks for letting me know how to alter the Avast components. I have taken off the "Avast Browser Cleanup" and that seems to have solved the problem: This "Cleanup" thing is not such a useful tool in my case. (I had already tried resetting Firefox and had disabled the Avast Online Security Add-On.)

[MikeBCda]

I occasionally have my bookmarks-toolbar disappear mysteriously, although for me I can't relate it to any particular avast function.

And my fix is quick and easy and so far has never failed.  In the Firefox menu bar, go to View/Toolbars and untick Bookmarks Toolbar, then re-tick it and bingo!  Don't even have to restart Firefox.

[Dunlin]

I spoke to soon - the problem is back again. 

Yes, I am also unticking the bookmarks toolbar option and then re-ticking it - this is a good solution but it becomes annoying if you're having to do it every time!

Update: resetting Firefox appeared to resolve the problem temporarily, but it is now occurring again.

[Dunlin]

Does anyone have any more ideas about this problem, how Avast might be interfering? Please see the discussion on Mozilla Firefox here: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/979656#answer-521313

[Gopher John]

I have Firefox 26, and I am experiencing the same issue with the Bookmarks Toolbar only on my Win 7 Pro machine intermittently.  It occurs on only one profile on that machine.  Closing and reopening Firefox usually returns the toolbar.  Interestingly, the Firefox profile with the problem is a clone of one on the WinXP Pro machine which never presents the issue.

[Dunlin]

I tried unticking 'Browser Protection', 'Grime Fighter' and 'Browser Cleanup' from Avast using the set up controls accessible via Windows 'Programmes and Features' on the Control Panel, but this had no effect. This is strange, and annoying...

I'll try restarting Firefox next time it happens - this is slightly less fiddly that unticking and reticking the bookmarks toolbar.

[Sydney Silver]

In Firefox, press ALT - H, select "Restart with Add-ons disabled", and see if the toolbar displays the way it should.

THANK YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU I just got all my bookmarks back I was PANICKING! I had bought the avast clean up tool and it deleted all my bookmarks and passwords even ones for work and I have been freaking out for hours now.

I started with add ons disabled and I'm so scared to move, there they are on my toolbar. Before this, I couldn't even save any new ones to the toolbar, it was just instantly not allowing it.

Will I have to start in safe mode every time now to see them?

Thanks!!!!!!! Yeeeeeeee