Firefox Community Forum

While using Mozilla Firefox on Windows 11, the search function within a ChatGPT conversation sometimes fails to detect text that is clearly present. When I search for a phrase that was previously discussed, I often receive a pop-up sound and a message stating “phrase not found,” even though I can manually locate the same phrase by scrolling through the conversation. This appears to be an issue with how in-page search is functioning in this context.

After today's Firefox update (7/30/26), I can't activate DuckDuckGo search. When I type a search in the URL bar, if i select a bookmarked URL, it will launch the bookmarked URL. However, if I select a search query (ex. "sonicare toothbrush" in attached pic #1), it won't allow me to press enter to launch a search.

Under Settings, when I click on "Activate" DuckDuckGo search (attached pic #2), nothing happens.

I would like to be able to edit, mostly add, symbols/phrases similar to search engines for tab/history/bookmark search.

My use is mostly the tab search, where % is the default symbol and @tabs is the longer version. I want to use otherthings, like tabs: or just the : for this purpose.+

I'm running Windows 11 Pro on a desktop PC. I have used Firefox "Search by Image" many times and I haven't had a problem in the past. A few days ago the search failed for "some" images and now it fails for any and all images that I drag and drop into my browser. Important: It does work for images on the internet. My problem: (1) I drag and drop an image into my browser. (2) I right-click on the image. (3) I select "Search by Image". (4) I select a search engine. Absolutely nothing happens. I've tried with various images and various search engines. Still nothing happens. I don't think I'm doing anything different than I've always done. I haven't changed any settings in Firefox. Any ideas?

Any search entry gets the following return:

Secure connection failed

an error occurred during he connection to oaik.lindantz.com SSLreceived a record that exceeded the maximum permissible length

error code SSL-eror-rxrecord-tooo-long

etc etc

June 15, 2026

Dear Mozilla Firefox:

Re: Very Transient Search Specifications

Having disabled AI search capabilities satisfactorily, I am now plagued with re-establishing search specifications innumerable times a session. I open a tab. I set my safe search requirements followed by several items under “All Search Settings,” then save and Exit. I open a new tab and repeat all the steps. I back up out of that search list, not backing up past the window with the saved settings to find they are nevertheless reset back to default, necessitating that I repeat all the steps. I leave this window of Firefox open but minimized and open a new Firefox window and repeat all the steps.

Of what use is saving the settings? They don’t persist within tabs, across tabs, or across windows. These inconveniences began with the introduction of AI services to Firefox. Yes, I delete cookies and set other parameters in the name of privacy, but not with the expectation that saving search settings during a session will prove meaningless. Please let me know and understand how to have both privacy and utility.

A long time Firefox user and supporter.

Why do we (my wife and I on both our dell desk tops) always get a message from google (our default search) that says "about this page" when we try to look anything up through our Firefox Browser? Then we have to verify by answering stupid crap on a verify page that we are not robots. It's funny because I got so sick of this crap that I just put the websites I was looking for in my Firefox book marks and low and behold it goes right to the page. How is that? I should mention that our internet provider is that t-mobile over the air wireless dog shit.

I hate google as a company, just leave me alone!

I used to have a blank space on the tool bar where I could search for new pages or information. Trying to find and reinstall on "Customize the Toolbar" was not successful. I have 13 items on the toolbar, and at times going to the >> would open a space to type my search. Now does not work. What do I need to do to have it back. I have not added more items to the tool bar. This space seems to have disappeared. Thanks in advance for your help to resolve this issue.

James

Using version 152.0.1 on windows 11. Have added an extra 'search' box as described in 'Add the Search bar to your Firefox toolbar ". Is it possible to have a default search engine i.e. Google (and the option to choose other engines) on the big search / address bar, but have a DIFFERENT and ONLY option to search with one i.e Wikipedia engine on the smaller search box? i.e. one general search/ address box, and one if you know you want to search with a different default search engine. Tried everything google AI suggested and nothing worked; it said both boxes are 'linked'. Thanks.

Subject: Firefox Search Bar – “Search in New Tab” right-click option

I frequently use Firefox's separate Search bar with several custom search engines. Currently, I can open a search in a new tab by clicking my mouse wheel and then the arrow button, but this functionality isn't obvious from the interface. With the about:config...browser.search.openintab, I can make it do new tabs or current tabs, but I don't get a CHOICE on each new search.

I suggest adding “Search in New Tab” as the first item on the right-click menu for the Search bar's arrow button. At present, that context menu prominently offers “Pin to Overflow Menu,” which is easy to select accidentally but doesn't provide the much more natural search-related choice. And it's a terrible choice for accidental clicking because it undoes your menu bar, requiring a fix.

This would allow mouse-only users to choose at the time of each search whether to replace the current tab or open the search in a new tab, without changing a permanent preference or using a keyboard modifier.

The option to "Open in New Tab" is normal behavior for menu items. It should be the same for searches in the custom search bar.

Thank you Thomas

after every update the search engine change from google to CDNsearch, which means that i must change my settings every time. is CDNsearch the default search and if so why?

Why don't you have a setting that lets a person "ignore" search resultes from known bad sources? I realize its my choice for search engine, but don't feel that option is available or even offered with any of their interfaces. The top choices always seem to return absolute false or mis-information. That is one reason I keep switching browsers and search engines. I'm ready to again delete Firefox for not meeting my needs, but instead wasting my time.

Good bye again.

Every time I attempt to change my search engine from DuckDuckGo I am unsuccessful. The browser simply reverts back to DuckDuckGo. I am running Windows 11 and have installed each and every update that has come along.

I would like the web search feature back, what is the point of having it available to look at but it does not work? The box is there... why is there not an option for me to continue to use it? You have done this in the past but there was a work around. What work around I found through AI does not work:

"To restore the search box in Firefox 148.0, type "about:config" in the address bar, accept the risk, and search for "browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.improvesearch.handoffToAwesomebar." Set this preference to false to enable the search box again."

This is disappointing, maddening too. I have used your product for many years.