Firefox Community Forum

Suddenly I cannot search from the search bar. It defaults to the address bar. why "fix" something that was not broken. Being forced to use the address bar is frustrating. If you go directly to the address bar, it tells you it cannot find that site.

When I try to make a Google search I get the following message, "I'm not a robot" with a reCAPTCHA: "Our systems have detected unusual traffic from your computer network. This page checks to see if it's really you sending the requests, and not a robot. Why did this happen?". This happens on Firefox, but not Chrome or Edge. If I 'Allow' Google in the 'Exceptions - Cookies and Site Data' then I do not get the message, but it takes several seconds for Google display the resulting page. However, if I delete the cookies/cache the message will return and I have to redo the reCAPTCHA. I have scanned with Malwarebytes, Bitdefender, Hitman Pro, Trend Micro House Call and Microsoft Defender, nothing detected. Running Win 10 (64) with 'Extended Security Updates', Firefox 147.0 (64), no additional Extensions or Plugins. Also I uninstalled and reinstalled Firefox.

How do I get searches (my default is Google) to STOP going to the address bar? This started out of the blue and it is making me crazy. I don't want to be asked which search to use, and I don't want it to search in the address bar. I want it in the search box. Thanks.

Hi, Since the last update for Mozilla on the laptop (updated on 6/Oct/2025 - version 143.0.4 (64-bit)), all the shortcuts to websites in Firefox homepage I had pinned have disappeared. Also I can't add new shortcuts. I already have shortcuts enabled in Settings>Home>Firefox Home Content>Shortcuts.

Does anyone know how to solve this?

Kind regards.

Bárbara O.

I can't seem to locate how to activate the microphone in the AI sidebar. I have Gemini selected, and when I hit the microphone to dictate I get the following message.. Unable to access the microphone. Please check settings.

I looked through Firefox settings and my laptop's but I don't see where it is turned off or asking for activation.'

Tom Z.

Hello!

I first installed Video Download Helper several weeks ago and it worked fine. However, since the update of 04 March, 2026, it no longer works with YouTube. (It does, however, still work with Instagram.) Having checked all of the settings (which I had/have not changed), I uninstalled it today and then re-installed it. This hasn't helped. With YouTube, the Downloader icon (pinned to toolbar) simply remains grey and does not show any videos when opened. I am using the latest, fully updated version of Firefox with Windows 10.

Can anyone help, please?

Many thanks,

Stuart.

"I’ve been having trouble with choppy YouTube videos in Firefox. It happens on both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections. My system is running Windows 10, and I’ve already tried disabling hardware acceleration and clearing my browser cache. The issue persists even when I’m in Safe Mode. I’m using the latest version of Firefox (XX.XX). Any suggestions on how to fix this?"

I am reopening the question from 2020 as the solution described no longer seems to apply. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1284577

I am running Windows 11. Firefox 144.0 (64-bit)

When entering search terms into the search bar in the centre of the page, the information typed appears in the address bar, even after following the fix described in 1284577.

Treating the address bar as the search bar appears to be the default. While the user can additionally deselect the search engine in the address bar, that is an unnecessary and undesired additional step for every search (the primary reason I am using Firefox)

Is there a way to permanently set the default for what I enter into the search bar to remain in the search bar and not to be managed by the address bar? Thanks, Rich

Following a recent Firefox update, 1.48.0 I think, the search box in the middle of the page no longer works, any attempt to type there ends up in the address bar. I have tried setting "browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.improvesearch.handoffToAwesomebar" to false and other suggested fixes on the internet but it made no difference. I am running Windows 11 Pro, fully updated. Hope you can help Regards Keith

How to make Firefox my default browser on my new computer a Windows 11 computer. I’m to the point where I’ve got a pop-up window, which says sync Firefox on your phone or tablet. I am asked toOpen Firefox on my mobile device. Then Go to the menu and tap sign in. That’s where I am. Now I’m asked to tap “ready to scan” and hold my phone over the code. Unfortunately, my Firefox app does not show a ready to scan option after I get to sign in. Help!!

Version 148 recently installed as auto update and problem seems contemperaneous to that.

My Home page is set to show only the Firefox "search the web" as an entry box in the screen centre, but will no longer allow any input: instead the awesomebar (aka address bar) shows on the tool bars at top of screen and accepts/displays the entry. I wish to revert to the simpler display.

I thought the solution lay within the advanced preferences that can be accessed (via app:config) and the value of the awesome bar changed. However tthe awesomebar preference is the only one shown for which there is no setting at all. Edit brings nothing up. There is a delete bin symbol available.

Can anybody explain what is going on and how to rectify this situation, please?

i looked up lots questions and solution. nothings seems to work. i did all Troubleshoot and diagnose Firefox problems. cleared cache, restarted firefox, refreshed. everything I could do. nothing works.

could you tell me what else I can try?

I don't like to use the address bar to type searches. I like using the SEARCH BOX in Firefox's New Tab instead. But, with each update, I once again have to try to figure out how to set Firefox searches to be typed in the search box. Is there any way to set this so it doesn't get changed with every update?

I don't remember when it started but text that wasn't underlined before such as: Names of shortcuts in new tab view Titles of YouTube videos on home page, and recommended while watching a video (not on the video itself) Reddit titles and usernames (old UI)

I have checked settings as best as I can and tried disabling all extensions but still have the issue.

I just had a firefox tab with a pop up asking me to try ai features... my options were "yes" or "maybe later". How do I stop the slop sales? I want ZERO pop ups... from Mozilla or anyone else! I didnt see settings that would disable mozilla sales pop ups - is there some way to turn these off permanently? I have already turned off the ai features. Really appreciate any suggestions!

Hello, I’m using Mozilla Firefox on Windows 10.

The issue happens mainly on YouTube: – Videos stutter every few seconds – Audio sometimes goes out of sync – This happens on 1080p and 720p – My internet speed is stable (~XX Mbps)