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Firefox Search Glitch

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ihtishamchaudhry
ihtishamchaudhry
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Hello,

When using the Firefox search bar, it keeps redirecting me to Bing or Yahoo searches. This is odd because I've ensured that my search browser is selected to Google. I have zero extensions or add-ons. To elaborate on the issue for example, if I type "test" in the search bar, it opens up Microsoft Bing search or Yahoo.

Things I have tried: --> Malware/virus scan (0 threats found) --> Refreshed Firefox (problem comes back after 5 minutes) --> Opened Firefox in troubleshoot-mode (problem still occurs) --> Cleared cookies, etc (problem comes back after 5 minutes) --> Uninstalled and re-installed Firefox (problem still occurs)

I'd greatly appreciate your help.

Thanks,

Hello, When using the Firefox search bar, it keeps redirecting me to Bing or Yahoo searches. This is odd because I've ensured that my search browser is selected to Google. I have zero extensions or add-ons. To elaborate on the issue for example, if I type "test" in the search bar, it opens up Microsoft Bing search or Yahoo. Things I have tried: --> Malware/virus scan (0 threats found) --> Refreshed Firefox (problem comes back after 5 minutes) --> Opened Firefox in troubleshoot-mode (problem still occurs) --> Cleared cookies, etc (problem comes back after 5 minutes) --> Uninstalled and re-installed Firefox (problem still occurs) I'd greatly appreciate your help. Thanks,

All Replies (2)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
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If Firefox reports that it will send your query to Google as you type in the address bar but it ends up on another site, the hijack could be caused either by an add-on or an external intermediary.

For add-ons, the Troubleshoot Mode test usually rules those out.

For external intermediaries, AKA malware, you could start with making sure that Firefox doesn't follow any system-level proxy, and then progress to a malware scan.

No Proxy

Open the Settings page using either:

  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Settings (previously "Options")
  • type or paste about:preferences into the address bar and press Enter to load it

In the very tiny search box at the top of the page, type proxy and Firefox should filter to the "Network Settings" section.

Click the Settings button, select "No Proxy" near the top of the dialog, and click OK near the bottom of the dialog.

Malware Scan

The following article lists cleaning tools other Firefox users have found helpful. They all are either free or have a free trial: Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
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If clearing the "Restore Default Search Engines" on the "Settings -> Search" page doesn't work, try to rename/remove search.json.mozlz4 in the Firefox profile folder with Firefox closed to rebuild the search engines registry.

You can use the button on the "Help -> More Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page to go to the current Firefox profile folder or use the about:profiles page (Root directory).

Firefox will rebuild search.json.mozlz4 from the built-in search engines.