How to Fix Search Not Working on Mozilla Firefox
Introduction
This guide will help you make sure Mozilla Firefox is configured properly so that your search experience returns to normal once again.
1 Clear History and Saved Data
The first order of business is making sure that your browser is not holding onto some outdated or bad data in the form of an old cookie, cached version of the website it may be trying to load, etc. Clearing this data allows your browser to load the websites you're asking it to load freshly as if it had never been there before.
- Open Firefox, and select the Menu in the top-right corner.
- Click on Options.
- Click on Privacy & Security.
- Click the Clear History button located unther the History category.
- Select the time range you wish to clear.
- Click the Details button to expand them.
- Choose the item categories you wish to clear.
Setting Checkbox Browsing & Download History Checked Browsing History - While you browse Your browser will keep track of every page you visit, to try to make it easier to return. This can become corrupt due to modern active web pages.
Download History - These are a list of files you've downloaded recently. It is entirely safe to delete, or keep this list, as it won't affect pages. Checking this option does not delete the files you've downloaded, just the list the browser keeps.
Form & Search History Checked Information from entering forms online, such as your name, address, or other filled in information. This does not affect how a page loads, and can slow you down on your most commonly used pages. Cookies Checked Cookies are how websites 'know' you when you visit them multiple times. This file can become corrupt, and simply downloading a new one can fix many problems. You will have to log back into any pages you use, such as mail or social media.Active Logins Checked Active logins are sites that you are currently logged into that you have asked to remember that you are logged into. Clearing them just logs you out of these sites. Offline Website Data Unchecked If you've allowed it, a website can store files on your computer so that you can continue to use it when you are not connected to the Internet. Site Preferences Unchecked Site specific preferences, including the saved zoom level for sites, character encoding, and the permissions for sites. - Click the Clear Now button.
2 Remove Problematic Extensions
Some browser extensions / addons can cause your browser to behave abnormally. Removing any unwanted, unnecessary, or unused browser extensions/addons can get your web browser running properly again.
- Open Firefox, and select the Menu in the top-right corner.
- Click on Add-ons.
- Click on Extensions on the left.
- The following steps can be repeated to remove multiple browser extensions.
- Then click on Remove for the extension you want to remove.
- If you accidentally removed something, click on Undo.
- If you accidentally removed something, click on Undo.
- You might get a new tab pop up upon removal, close the tab by hitting the X.
- Then click on Remove for the extension you want to remove.
It is a good idea to restart your browser to complete the removal of extensions. If you removed a malicious extension, there's a chance it may have changed your homepage settings.
3 Remove Potentially Unwanted Programs
Potentially unwanted programs, or "PUPs", often arrive bundled with your computer or can tag along with another software program you meant to install. Most times, they are snuck into the EULA as a "Recommended Offer" that many of us are so accustomed to just click right through. Lots of these types of programs end up being junkware that your computer will not benefit from. Unfortunately, some of these programs can add unwanted browser toolbars or extensions that can clutter your browser, track your web browsing, show additional advertisements, or change your search page and other related settings. Usually, unless these types of programs are removed, they will continue causing issues with your web browsing experience.
If your machine has any software such as this installed, the following instructions will help you remove them from your Windows PC or Mac computer.
Remove PUPs from Windows 10
Using Windows 10 Settings
- Click Start (1), then click Settings (2).
- Next, Select Apps.
- Scroll down and locate the app you wish to remove, and click on Uninstall.
- Carefully read any prompts in case there are special instructions. Proceed until the application is removed.
- Some applications may require that you reboot.
Using the Control Panel
- On your keyboard push and release the Windows Key and R at the same time.
- You will see a Run window open up. Type in appwiz.cpl then click on OK.
- Locate a program you wish to remove within the list, click once on it to highlight it, then click on Uninstall.
- Carefully read any prompts in case there are special instructions. Proceed until the application is removed.
- Some applications may require that your computer be restarted to complete the uninstallation.
Remove PUPs from a Mac Computer
Remove Apps from the App Store
- Open the Launchpad from the dock.
- Click and hold on an icon until all icons start to jiggle.
- Click the "x" on the top left of the icon you want to remove.
- Click Delete to confirm removal.
Manually remove any other App
- Open the Finder from the dock.
- Click on Applications on the left.
- Drag the app you wish to remove to the trash can.
- Right click on the trashcan and click Empty Trash.
Test your browser after removing any PUPs from your machine. This may require you to restart your browser or your computer beforehand depending on what was removed.
4 Verify All Mozilla Firefox Settings
Using a Windows PC
- Open Firefox.
- Enter about:plugins into address bar and hit enter, then review your plug-ins and remove any that are malicious.
- Enter about:addons into the address bar and hit enter, then click Extensions.
- Review your extensions and determine if any are malicious. Remove those that are.
- Click the Menu button in the top right of the screen.
- Click Options.
- Click Home. If you have a custom URL set verify it is not malicious.
- Click the Start Menu.
- Search for Firefox and right-click the result.
- Select Open File Location.
- Right-click the Firefox shortcut and select Properties.
- Click the Shortcut tab and verify that the Target only contains the path "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" with nothing after it. Click OK when done.
- Open Firefox and verify your homepage is correct.
Using a Mac Computer
- Open Firefox.
- Click on the three lines in the upper right hand corner.
- Click on Preferences.
- Click on Home. If there is a custom URL you do not want, you can change it. When done you can close Firefox.
Still having issues?
Unfortunately, it looks like your search page issue cannot be resolved via basic troubleshooting steps. We recommend your machine be serviced by a professional to determine the root cause of your search issues.
Was this content helpful?
YesNoThis guide will help you make sure Mozilla Firefox is configured properly so that your search experience returns to normal once again.
The first order of business is making sure that your browser is not holding onto some outdated or bad data in the form of an old cookie, cached version of the website it may be trying to load, etc. Clearing this data allows your browser to load the websites you're asking it to load freshly as if it had never been there before.
- Open Firefox, and select the Menu in the top-right corner.
- Click on Options.
- Click on Privacy & Security.
- Click the Clear History button located unther the History category.
- Select the time range you wish to clear.
- Click the Details button to expand them.
- Choose the item categories you wish to clear.
Setting Checkbox Browsing & Download History Checked Browsing History - While you browse Your browser will keep track of every page you visit, to try to make it easier to return. This can become corrupt due to modern active web pages.
Download History - These are a list of files you've downloaded recently. It is entirely safe to delete, or keep this list, as it won't affect pages. Checking this option does not delete the files you've downloaded, just the list the browser keeps.
Form & Search History Checked Information from entering forms online, such as your name, address, or other filled in information. This does not affect how a page loads, and can slow you down on your most commonly used pages. Cookies Checked Cookies are how websites 'know' you when you visit them multiple times. This file can become corrupt, and simply downloading a new one can fix many problems. You will have to log back into any pages you use, such as mail or social media.Active Logins Checked Active logins are sites that you are currently logged into that you have asked to remember that you are logged into. Clearing them just logs you out of these sites. Offline Website Data Unchecked If you've allowed it, a website can store files on your computer so that you can continue to use it when you are not connected to the Internet. Site Preferences Unchecked Site specific preferences, including the saved zoom level for sites, character encoding, and the permissions for sites. - Click the Clear Now button.
Some browser extensions / addons can cause your browser to behave abnormally. Removing any unwanted, unnecessary, or unused browser extensions/addons can get your web browser running properly again.
- Open Firefox, and select the Menu in the top-right corner.
- Click on Add-ons.
- Click on Extensions on the left.
- The following steps can be repeated to remove multiple browser extensions.
- Then click on Remove for the extension you want to remove.
- If you accidentally removed something, click on Undo.
- If you accidentally removed something, click on Undo.
- You might get a new tab pop up upon removal, close the tab by hitting the X.
- Then click on Remove for the extension you want to remove.
It is a good idea to restart your browser to complete the removal of extensions. If you removed a malicious extension, there's a chance it may have changed your homepage settings.
Potentially unwanted programs, or "PUPs", often arrive bundled with your computer or can tag along with another software program you meant to install. Most times, they are snuck into the EULA as a "Recommended Offer" that many of us are so accustomed to just click right through. Lots of these types of programs end up being junkware that your computer will not benefit from. Unfortunately, some of these programs can add unwanted browser toolbars or extensions that can clutter your browser, track your web browsing, show additional advertisements, or change your search page and other related settings. Usually, unless these types of programs are removed, they will continue causing issues with your web browsing experience.
If your machine has any software such as this installed, the following instructions will help you remove them from your Windows PC or Mac computer.
Remove PUPs from Windows 10
Using Windows 10 Settings
- Click Start (1), then click Settings (2).
- Next, Select Apps.
- Scroll down and locate the app you wish to remove, and click on Uninstall.
- Carefully read any prompts in case there are special instructions. Proceed until the application is removed.
- Some applications may require that you reboot.
Using the Control Panel
- On your keyboard push and release the Windows Key and R at the same time.
- You will see a Run window open up. Type in appwiz.cpl then click on OK.
- Locate a program you wish to remove within the list, click once on it to highlight it, then click on Uninstall.
- Carefully read any prompts in case there are special instructions. Proceed until the application is removed.
- Some applications may require that your computer be restarted to complete the uninstallation.
Remove PUPs from a Mac Computer
Remove Apps from the App Store
- Open the Launchpad from the dock.
- Click and hold on an icon until all icons start to jiggle.
- Click the "x" on the top left of the icon you want to remove.
- Click Delete to confirm removal.
Manually remove any other App
- Open the Finder from the dock.
- Click on Applications on the left.
- Drag the app you wish to remove to the trash can.
- Right click on the trashcan and click Empty Trash.
Test your browser after removing any PUPs from your machine. This may require you to restart your browser or your computer beforehand depending on what was removed.
Using a Windows PC
- Open Firefox.
- Enter about:plugins into address bar and hit enter, then review your plug-ins and remove any that are malicious.
- Enter about:addons into the address bar and hit enter, then click Extensions.
- Review your extensions and determine if any are malicious. Remove those that are.
- Click the Menu button in the top right of the screen.
- Click Options.
- Click Home. If you have a custom URL set verify it is not malicious.
- Click the Start Menu.
- Search for Firefox and right-click the result.
- Select Open File Location.
- Right-click the Firefox shortcut and select Properties.
- Click the Shortcut tab and verify that the Target only contains the path "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" with nothing after it. Click OK when done.
- Open Firefox and verify your homepage is correct.
Using a Mac Computer
- Open Firefox.
- Click on the three lines in the upper right hand corner.
- Click on Preferences.
- Click on Home. If there is a custom URL you do not want, you can change it. When done you can close Firefox.
Still having issues?
Unfortunately, it looks like your search page issue cannot be resolved via basic troubleshooting steps. We recommend your machine be serviced by a professional to determine the root cause of your search issues.