Awesome bar has stopped working
All of a sudden the "Awesome bar" has stopped working. I type something in and no suggestions appear. It's happened on both my PCs: a portable (WIN 8.1) and a desktop (WIN XP SP3). I'm running the latest version FF 43.0.2 on both devices. I've never had this problem before (been using FF for many years). I'm not sure if this problem has appeared with this latest version, or in the previous one. The normal "search bar" is working correctly, but I desperately need the "awesome bar" back.
The portable PC seems to have fixed itself a few days after giving up on trying to fix it. Now I'm getting the same thing with my desktop.
My settings are as follows on BOTH the PCs, so if one works correctly I don't see why the other one doesn't.
In Tools > Options:
Search tab -Verified "Provide search suggestions" is selected -Verified "Show search suggestions in location bar results" is selected
Privacy tab -Verified all options are selected -Verified "Firefox will:" Remember history
Following FF's support documentation, I've verified "about:config" the following: browser.urlbar.autoFill;true browser.urlbar.autoFill.typed;true signon.autofillForms;true
Any advice would be welcome.
Chosen solution
You can check for problems with the places.sqlite database (bookmarks, history) in the Firefox profile folder.
- Places Maintenance: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/places-maintenance/
See also:
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Bookmarks_history_and_toolbar_buttons_not_working_-_Firefox
- https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Bookmarks+not+saved#w_fix-the-bookmarks-file
If the Places Maintenance extension can't repair the places.sqlite database then remove all places.sqlite file(s) in the Firefox profile folder to make Firefox rebuild the places.sqlite database from the most recent JSON backup in the bookmarkbackups folder.
Read this answer in context 👍 2All Replies (5)
Hi, it might be that one of your extensions common to both PCs is interfering after it has automatically updated, so try Firefox Safe Mode to see if the problem goes away. Firefox Safe Mode is a troubleshooting mode that temporarily turns off hardware acceleration, resets some settings, and disables add-ons (extensions and themes).
If Firefox is open, you can restart in Firefox Safe Mode from the Help menu:
- Click the menu button
, click Help 
and select Restart with Add-ons Disabled.
If Firefox is not running, you can start Firefox in Safe Mode as follows:
- On Windows: Hold the Shift key when you open the Firefox desktop or Start menu shortcut.
- On Mac: Hold the option key while starting Firefox.
- On Linux: Quit Firefox, go to your Terminal and run firefox -safe-mode
(you may need to specify the Firefox installation path e.g. /usr/lib/firefox)
When the Firefox Safe Mode window appears, select "Start in Safe Mode".
If the issue is not present in Firefox Safe Mode, your problem is probably caused by an extension, theme, or hardware acceleration. Please follow the steps in the Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems article to find the cause.
To exit Firefox Safe Mode, just close Firefox and wait a few seconds before opening Firefox for normal use again.
When you figure out what's causing your issues, please let us know. It might help others with the same problem. Thank you!
Modified by Scribe
Hi Scribe, thanks for the prompt reply.
I've just restarted FF in Safe Mode, but sadly there's no difference. I was quite sure you had pinned it, but no luck.
I've just fired up my portable PC to see how FF is managing, and it's still working fine since it recovered last time from this problem. I've just compared all the settings again on both PCs, and they coincide. Both are using the same add-ons.
Anything else I should check?
BTW, for what it's worth, I have both PCs synchronised with the 6 options available: Tabs, Bookmarks, Passwords, History, Add-ons and Preferences. I've just synced again starting first with the portable (the one that's working correctly at this moment), and then with the desktop, but still no difference.
Chosen Solution
You can check for problems with the places.sqlite database (bookmarks, history) in the Firefox profile folder.
- Places Maintenance: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/places-maintenance/
See also:
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Bookmarks_history_and_toolbar_buttons_not_working_-_Firefox
- https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Bookmarks+not+saved#w_fix-the-bookmarks-file
If the Places Maintenance extension can't repair the places.sqlite database then remove all places.sqlite file(s) in the Firefox profile folder to make Firefox rebuild the places.sqlite database from the most recent JSON backup in the bookmarkbackups folder.
I first tried the add-on "Places Maintenance" to check the places.sqlite database, but all I got from it was a message saying "getting stats". After 90 mins of this I just cancelled it.
I next tried removing places.sqlite, started FF to rebuild from scratch, then imported my bookmarks from a previous backup.
Working fine now. Thanks a lot for your help