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firefox default search engine

  • 8 replies
  • 4 have this problem
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  • Last reply by FredMcD

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Hello, I have problems with my firefox default engine. I know how to change it for my default engine. I change for Google as my default search engine in the browser bar. But each time when I restart the firefox, this default engine is automatically changed for 'firefox search engine' and using Yahoo to search things. This phenomenon happened suddenly one day, and then keep happening everyday. I would like to know if there are any solutions? Or I need to download Google Chrome to solve it directly?

Hello, I have problems with my firefox default engine. I know how to change it for my default engine. I change for Google as my default search engine in the browser bar. But each time when I restart the firefox, this default engine is automatically changed for 'firefox search engine' and using Yahoo to search things. This phenomenon happened suddenly one day, and then keep happening everyday. I would like to know if there are any solutions? Or I need to download Google Chrome to solve it directly?

Chosen solution

It's fun to try other browsers. But even Google Chrome gets infected with search hijackers from time to time. You'll see it on their forums when users install free software bundles containing untrustworthy extras.

Since there is no "Firefox Search Engine", it's definitely suspicious. Here's my suggested procedure for tracking down and cleaning up bad add-ons and other hijackers. I know it seems long, but it's really not that bad.

(For Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10; XP is somewhat different)

(1) Open the Windows Control Panel, Uninstall a Program. After the list loads, click the "Installed on" column heading to group the infections, I mean, additions, by date. This can help in smoking out undisclosed bundle items that snuck in with some software you agreed to install. Be suspicious of everything you do not recognize/remember, as malware often uses important or innocent sounding names to discourage you from removing it. Take out as much trash as possible here.

(2) Open Firefox's Add-ons page using either:

  • Ctrl+Shift+a
  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
  • in the Windows "Run" dialog, type or paste
    firefox.exe "about:addons"

In the left column, click Plugins. Set nonessential and unrecognized plugins to "Never Activate".

In the left column, click Extensions. Then, if in doubt, disable (or Remove, if possible) unrecognized and unwanted extensions. All extensions are optional; the troublemaker might not be obvious from its name.

Often a link will appear above at least one disabled extension to restart Firefox. You can complete your work on the tab and click one of the links as the last step.

Any improvement?

(3) You can search for remaining issues with the scanning/cleaning tools listed in our support article: Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware. These on-demand scanners are free and take considerable time to run. If they finish quickly and especially if they require payment, you may have a serious infection. I suggest the specialized forums listed in the article in that case.

At this point, does Firefox retain your preferred settings between sessions? If not... a few more things to suggest.

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All Replies (8)

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I downloaded Google Chrome and installed it.

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Type about:addons<enter> in the address bar to open your Add-ons Manager. Hot key; <Control>(Mac=<Command>)<Shift> A)

In the Add-ons Manager, on the left, select Extensions. Remove yahoo Anything. Now do the same in the computers Programs Folder.

Windows: Start > Control Panel > Uninstall Programs. Mac: Open the "Applications" folder. Linux: Check your user manual.


After the problem is fixed, Bookmark and use this; Download the Mozilla Search Reset {web link} This add-on is very simple: on installation, it backs up and then resets your search preferences and home page to their default values, and then uninstalls itself. This affects the search bar, URL bar searches, and the home page.

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Chosen Solution

It's fun to try other browsers. But even Google Chrome gets infected with search hijackers from time to time. You'll see it on their forums when users install free software bundles containing untrustworthy extras.

Since there is no "Firefox Search Engine", it's definitely suspicious. Here's my suggested procedure for tracking down and cleaning up bad add-ons and other hijackers. I know it seems long, but it's really not that bad.

(For Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10; XP is somewhat different)

(1) Open the Windows Control Panel, Uninstall a Program. After the list loads, click the "Installed on" column heading to group the infections, I mean, additions, by date. This can help in smoking out undisclosed bundle items that snuck in with some software you agreed to install. Be suspicious of everything you do not recognize/remember, as malware often uses important or innocent sounding names to discourage you from removing it. Take out as much trash as possible here.

(2) Open Firefox's Add-ons page using either:

  • Ctrl+Shift+a
  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
  • in the Windows "Run" dialog, type or paste
    firefox.exe "about:addons"

In the left column, click Plugins. Set nonessential and unrecognized plugins to "Never Activate".

In the left column, click Extensions. Then, if in doubt, disable (or Remove, if possible) unrecognized and unwanted extensions. All extensions are optional; the troublemaker might not be obvious from its name.

Often a link will appear above at least one disabled extension to restart Firefox. You can complete your work on the tab and click one of the links as the last step.

Any improvement?

(3) You can search for remaining issues with the scanning/cleaning tools listed in our support article: Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware. These on-demand scanners are free and take considerable time to run. If they finish quickly and especially if they require payment, you may have a serious infection. I suggest the specialized forums listed in the article in that case.

At this point, does Firefox retain your preferred settings between sessions? If not... a few more things to suggest.

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Thank you to you all ! I get my firefox back !!

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This is all gibberish to me. As far as I know, other than the intrusive Grammarly, there are no unwanted programs on my computer.

Please just tell me how to keep Google as my default Search Engine so I don't have to reset the Search options every day!

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Hi David_L_L, why don't we continue with your problem under your new question here: https://support.mozilla.org/questions/1149614

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I had the same problem, went ot my add-ons and found Search for Firefox add-on I never installed. I removed it, and now I'm reunited with Google.

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It’s very sad, but many of the software downloaders / installers will trick you into installing not only their program, but other programs as well. You have heard of the fine print in shady contracts, right? Well, some installers you need to look at the itsy bitsy teeny weeny fine print. You are thinking you are giving the installer permission to install the program you want by using the recommended option. But if you use the Manual Option Instead, you discover all kinds of stuff that you do not even know what it is or what it does. From now on, everyone needs to Use The Manual Option to put a stop to this.