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Address bar search is not working

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  • 17 have this problem
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  • Last reply by harlleye

harlleye
harlleye
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When I type keywords into the address bar, it used to return a list of google search results. Now, it returns "The address isn't valid". I know I can use the search bar to search google, but the ability to search keywords straight from the address bar is my number one favourite feature of Firefox and I want it back.

The problem started after I returned the keyword.URL setting in about:config to default after it was maliciously changed to some Russian search/spam site, which also added a bunch of useless links to my bookmarks bar. This is the second time this has happened, no idea how, but the first time I fixed it the address bar search started working again right away.

I have not installed any new plugins or add-ons recently.

I have checked that keyword.enabled is set to true, and keyword.URL is blank, which are the default settings. Are there any other settings that might have been changed/that I should change to make this work again?

When I type keywords into the address bar, it used to return a list of google search results. Now, it returns "The address isn't valid". I know I can use the search bar to search google, but the ability to search keywords straight from the address bar is my number one favourite feature of Firefox and I want it back. The problem started after I returned the keyword.URL setting in about:config to default after it was maliciously changed to some Russian search/spam site, which also added a bunch of useless links to my bookmarks bar. This is the second time this has happened, no idea how, but the first time I fixed it the address bar search started working again right away. I have not installed any new plugins or add-ons recently. I have checked that keyword.enabled is set to true, and keyword.URL is blank, which are the default settings. Are there any other settings that might have been changed/that I should change to make this work again?

Chosen solution

You could try this add-on to see whether it cures it: SearchReset

If not, you could use this for keyword.URL, which appears to be the default in Firefox 14 (just based on what I get running a search): 


https://www.google.com/search?ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb&q=
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jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Chosen Solution

You could try this add-on to see whether it cures it: SearchReset

If not, you could use this for keyword.URL, which appears to be the default in Firefox 14 (just based on what I get running a search): 


https://www.google.com/search?ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb&q=
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
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It's also possible that your system is not yet clean. This isn't the best board for removal of sophisticated malware, but I can at least suggest two tools for supplemental scans:

Malwarebytes Anti-malware : http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free

SUPERAntiSpyware : http://www.superantispyware.com/

cor-el
cor-el
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You can also check for possibly installed extension.

If you do not keep changes after a restart then see:

harlleye
harlleye Question owner
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Thanks for the links. I have the unpleasant feeling that the recurring nature of the original bug means my system isn't clean, so hopefully these will help get rid of the original issue.