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Firefox can not search

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following a virus attack I can't get Firefox to search. It allows me to enter my search info, but when I hit enter nothing happens.

following a virus attack I can't get Firefox to search. It allows me to enter my search info, but when I hit enter nothing happens.

Chosen solution

A couple questions:

(1) Which of Firefox's various bars has this problem?

  • Address bar (where the URL of a page usually appears)
  • Search bar on the right end of the toolbar
  • Search bar in a built-in page, such as
    • Firefox home page
    • Firefox new tab page

(2) If you check the Search panel of the Options page, does it show your default search engine correctly? You can check using:

"3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Options > Search


If your standard search plugins (e.g., Google, Yahoo, Bing, DuckDuckGo, etc.) are missing or you suspect they are damaged, you can restore them by doing a:

Clean Reinstall

We use this name, but it's not about removing your settings, it's about making sure the program files are clean (no inconsistent, corrupted, or alien code files). As described below, this process does not disturb your existing settings. Do NOT uninstall Firefox, that's not needed.

(1) Download a fresh installer for Firefox 39.0 from https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/ to a convenient location. (Scroll down to your preferred language.)

(2) Exit out of Firefox (if applicable).

(3) Rename the program folder, either:

(64-bit Windows folder names)

C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox

to

C:\Program Files (x86)\OldFirefox

(32-bit Windows folder names)

C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox

to

C:\Program Files\OldFirefox

(4) Run the installer you downloaded in #1. It should automatically connect to your existing settings.

Any improvement after this reinstall?

Note: Some plugins may exist only in that OldFirefox folder. If something essential is missing, look in these folders:

  • \OldFirefox\Plugins
  • \OldFirefox\browser\plugins
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All Replies (2)

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Chosen Solution

A couple questions:

(1) Which of Firefox's various bars has this problem?

  • Address bar (where the URL of a page usually appears)
  • Search bar on the right end of the toolbar
  • Search bar in a built-in page, such as
    • Firefox home page
    • Firefox new tab page

(2) If you check the Search panel of the Options page, does it show your default search engine correctly? You can check using:

"3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Options > Search


If your standard search plugins (e.g., Google, Yahoo, Bing, DuckDuckGo, etc.) are missing or you suspect they are damaged, you can restore them by doing a:

Clean Reinstall

We use this name, but it's not about removing your settings, it's about making sure the program files are clean (no inconsistent, corrupted, or alien code files). As described below, this process does not disturb your existing settings. Do NOT uninstall Firefox, that's not needed.

(1) Download a fresh installer for Firefox 39.0 from https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/ to a convenient location. (Scroll down to your preferred language.)

(2) Exit out of Firefox (if applicable).

(3) Rename the program folder, either:

(64-bit Windows folder names)

C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox

to

C:\Program Files (x86)\OldFirefox

(32-bit Windows folder names)

C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox

to

C:\Program Files\OldFirefox

(4) Run the installer you downloaded in #1. It should automatically connect to your existing settings.

Any improvement after this reinstall?

Note: Some plugins may exist only in that OldFirefox folder. If something essential is missing, look in these folders:

  • \OldFirefox\Plugins
  • \OldFirefox\browser\plugins
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thanks...Bill :)