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Serch is disabled, how do I fix it?

  • 5 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 2 views
  • Last reply by cor-el

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I can go to any bookmark but I can not search on the start page on in the top bar. The search is grayed out in the top bar.


Thanks

Gary Grimm
I can go to any bookmark but I can not search on the start page on in the top bar. The search is grayed out in the top bar. Thanks Gary Grimm

All Replies (5)

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The Reset Firefox feature can fix many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information. Note: This will cause you to lose any Extensions, Open websites, and some Preferences.

To Reset Firefox do the following:

  1. Go to Firefox > Help > Troubleshooting Information.
  2. Click the "Reset Firefox" button.
  3. Firefox will close and reset. After Firefox is done, it will show a window with the information that is imported. Click Finish.
  4. Firefox will open with all factory defaults applied.


Further information can be found in the Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings article.

Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!

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Try the Firefox Safe Mode to see how it works there. The Safe Mode is a troubleshooting mode, which disables most add-ons.

(If you're not using it, switch to the Default theme.)

  • You can open the Firefox 4.0+ Safe Mode by holding the Shift key when you use the Firefox desktop or Start menu shortcut.
  • Or use the Help menu item and click on the Restart with Add-ons Disabled... menu item while Firefox is running.

Don't select anything right now, just use "'Start in Safe Mode" To exit the Firefox Safe Mode, just close Firefox and wait a few seconds before using the Firefox shortcut (without the Shift key) to open it again. If it is good in the Firefox Safe Mode, your problem is probably caused by an extension, and you need to figure out which one.

Please follow the Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems article for that.

When you figure out what's causing your issues, please let us know. It might help other users who have the same problem.

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I have tried restoring to defalt mode, problem still exist. I have tried restarting in safe mode and still unable to search.

Thank Gary

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I have tried resetting and restarting in safe mode and still am unable to search.

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You can check if you still have the xml files for the default search engines in the searchplugins folder in the Firefox program folder

  • (32 bit Windows) C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\
  • (64 bit Windows) C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\

If not then you can do a reinstall of Firefox to restore them.
You can find the latest Firefox release in all languages and for all Operating Systems here:

You can delete the search.json file and a possible search.sqlite file in the Firefox Profile Folder to restore the search engines.