Firefox doesn't connect to KeePass 2 DB

Kee browser extension
1

Hello,

while switching to a new computer, I don’t get the connection between Firefox and the KeePass DB established anymore.

The KP Icon remains red and “off”. Best case I manage to get a yellow icon, but it remains “off”.

I am using Win11, Firefox 146, KeePass 2.60 and extension “Kee Password Manager”.

KeePass is running without any issues and I am logged into the DB which I am only using locally.

Any suggestion how to solve the issue is highly appreciated.

Best

Uli

2

You should also have KeePassRPC installed.

3

Argh…..sometimes it’s so easy if you get a hint. Thanks! That resolved the problem.

4

Same issue.

Firefox 146.0.1 (Latest version), Keepass 2.60 (x64) and I just installed a fresh copy of KeepassRPC. The Kee logo on the menu bar turns yellow and says “Off” even though the Keepass database is open.

In the Kee options from the menu bar, I did find:

“NB: change the setting in KeePass.config or else Kee will not always be able to communicate with KeePass” (followed by a text box.) When opening or logging in to KeePass, use this database file

Is this something worth trying?

5

I completely removed Keepass 2, deleted it’s directory, and removed the Kee extension from FireFox, I then rebooted, reinstalled KeePass 2, the KeeypassRPC plugin, recompiled it, then re-added the Kee extension to FireFox.

Nothing had changed. The Kee icon is originally red and says “OFF” when I start Firefox. Then it tterns red and says “OFF”. Visiting logging on to a new site, Kee asks if I want to save site data into the Keepass DB and hit the “+” button, but when I do this, that that process tells me to sign in to the KeePass DB (Which I had already done)..

Google Chrome, with KeepassHTTP works normally.

My system specs:Everything is at the latest release level.

  • Fully patched Windows 11

    Firefox 147.0 64 bit with all extensions except Kee disabled

    KeePass 2.60 64 bit

    Kee Extension - Most recent version from GitHub

Suggestions are most welcome!

6

I came to this forum to report exactly the same issue. I’m somewhat happy to see that I’m not the only one who has this problem. I haven’t found a solution, hopefully the developer has.

7

Try this Javascript test link, which I found on a different KEE support page:

https://forum.kee.pm/t/troubleshooting/560

  • "Check if your network hosts file is correctly configured to send localhost traffic to your local 127.0.0.1 IP address

  • If you’re still stuck and want to gather some more information to help you or someone else diagnose the problem, you could try running this JSFiddle to test if your web browser is able to connect to KeePass: Edit fiddle - JSFiddle - Code Playground"

9

I found a solution!

After weeks of trying everything I could to get Kee and KeePass communicating, today I tried something wild, and it worked.

I opened up a KeePass database which was more than a year old, and it instantly connected to Kee. However, if I closed that DB and reopened my current DB, it would not connect. The Kee icon said “Off” and told me to log into my database.

Clearly, I had corrupt data somewhere in my KBDX file, since the new (empty) DB would connect to Kee, while my fully populated DB would not.

The solution was:

  1. Close KeePass, and reopen it using the DB which doesn’t talk to Kee.
  2. Export all the data in this file to an XML (2.x) file (Don’t do this on a public network!) using the KeePass File/Export option.
  3. Close the KeePass DB file.
  4. Create a new KeePass DB file, using the same password as your old (bad) DB file.
  5. You will see some junk/empty folders. Feel free to delete or ignore those.
  6. Select File/Import and locate the XML file you created in step 2.
  7. Select the “New ID” option, as the new DB file is currently empty. This will also rebuild your folder structure.
  8. Your KeePass entries should all be restored very rapidly.
  9. Now test it to see if the Kee Icon shows a DB connection when you open FireFox.
  10. If it does, save the DB where you know you can find it again to use in the future.
  11. Try to use KeePass/Key to login to a site you have stored in KeePass.
  12. Critical Step Delete and securely erase (if possible) the .XML file you created in step #2. That file contains all your login data, in a text-like format, so it is imperative that you delete it!

I have no idea how my database file became slightly corrupted, but these steps fixed it.

If anyone needs assistance, post your questions here and I’ll do my best to try and assist you.

Good luck!

-Rich

1 Like
10

If keePassHTTP + Chrome works, your database is good. This problem is with the **firefox + Kee + KeePassRPC** handshake.

quick check list:
In KeePass 2.60 → tools → plugins, confirm that **KeePassRPC.plgx** (not KeePassHTTP) is loaded. * KeePass should not be used as administrator when Firefox is not (elevation mismatch silently breaks RPC). * Check Firefox’s `about:debugging` for Kee background problems. * Verify that native messaging is not banned, since it might be terminated by a firewall or defense. Before recompiling, be sure to delete any outdated KeePassRPC builds from the Plugins folder.

Yellow icon: host found, but authentication failed
Red icon: not launching native messaging

Pay attention to the native communications bridge to KeePassRPC, as that’s where it’s dying, since this is unique to Firefox.