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FF 37 - I deleted my address bar, can't get it back

chiaroscuro
chiaroscuro

I upgraded to FF 38, and it had some features I didn't want, like the Pocket - right clicked on it and removed the icon from the toolbar. Fine, went to a site and something came up for a 'Reader', tried it got a blank page. I went to remove it too - right click, remove, and the whole address bar vanished. when I try to open the customize menu, it opens a new tab with a blank page. I downgraded to FF 37, to see if that would fix it, but no luck. Now I only have a wide search window, and the icons for may add-ons in that tool bar. Here's a pic with the blank Customize tab. I searched around for a solution, but couldn't find anyone else so dumb. I could completely reset FF to defaults, but I have a ton of plugins, and changes to the about:config file I can't even remember.

Thanks!

I upgraded to FF 38, and it had some features I didn't want, like the Pocket - right clicked on it and removed the icon from the toolbar. Fine, went to a site and something came up for a 'Reader', tried it got a blank page. I went to remove it too - right click, remove, and the whole address bar vanished. when I try to open the customize menu, it opens a new tab with a blank page. I downgraded to FF 37, to see if that would fix it, but no luck. Now I only have a wide search window, and the icons for may add-ons in that tool bar. Here's a pic with the blank Customize tab. I searched around for a solution, but couldn't find anyone else so dumb. I could completely reset FF to defaults, but I have a ton of plugins, and changes to the about:config file I can't even remember. Thanks!
Attached screenshots

Chosen solution

WOOHOO!

Restarted in Safe Mode. Oddly, the address bar was there, but to the RIGHT of the search bar. Opened Customize and reset to default. Restarted in normal mode and everything is where it should be. Now I can retry FF 38...

THANKS SO MUCH, jscher200!

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All Replies (3)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 25 Contributor

There's a different way to remove the reader view icon. I'll come back to that.

First, you need to rescue your URL bar from the Customize dialog, which should show all the available controls that are not currently on a toolbar or menu. This article describes how to use Customize: Customize Firefox controls, buttons and toolbars.

Can you get your URL bar back that way? If not, try the "Restore Defaults" button at the bottom of the Customize tab.

To turn off the reading view feature, you can change this hidden setting:

(1) In a new tab, type or paste about:config in the address bar and press Enter. Click the button promising to be careful.

(2) In the search box above the list, type or paste reader and pause while the list is filtered

(3) Double-click the reader.parse-on-load.enabled preference to switch it from true to false

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 25 Contributor

Sorry, I meant to suggest trying Customize in Firefox's Safe Mode. That's a standard diagnostic tool to deactivate extensions and some advanced features of Firefox. More info: Use Troubleshoot Mode in Firefox.

Important: Classic Theme Restorer will be deactivated in Safe Mode, but when you exit Firefox and start it up again normally, it will be back. Do not panic!

If Firefox is not running: Hold down the Shift key when starting Firefox.

If Firefox is running: You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
  • Help menu > Restart with Add-ons Disabled

and OK the restart.

Both scenarios: A small dialog should appear. Click "Start in Safe Mode" (not Refresh).

Can you customize your URL bar back onto the toolbar?

chiaroscuro
chiaroscuro Question owner

Chosen Solution

WOOHOO!

Restarted in Safe Mode. Oddly, the address bar was there, but to the RIGHT of the search bar. Opened Customize and reset to default. Restarted in normal mode and everything is where it should be. Now I can retry FF 38...

THANKS SO MUCH, jscher200!