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How to stop firefox from occationally, but persistently defaulting to about:preferences#search

  • 3 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 6 views
  • Last reply by FredMcD

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I type into the google search bar, Firefox erases my entire query and defaults me to a new page titled: about:preferences#search

I have tried a variety of settings changes, no to avail. I want to stop losing the entire contents of my searches but most specifically, I want to stop looking up at my screen, after having typed in my google search query, often times, very specific and long entries, to find that I am nowhere near my search results, instead, I am BACK at this GD Firefox 'settings page', without warning and without my query content maintained.

Please advise.

I type into the google search bar, Firefox erases my entire query and defaults me to a new page titled: about:preferences#search I have tried a variety of settings changes, no to avail. I want to stop losing the entire contents of my searches but most specifically, I want to stop looking up at my screen, after having typed in my google search query, often times, very specific and long entries, to find that I am nowhere near my search results, instead, I am BACK at this GD Firefox 'settings page', without warning and without my query content maintained. Please advise.

All Replies (3)

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The about: pages are internal browser pages. Entering something in a web search should not call an about: page.

Does this happen with other search sites? Bing.com Yahoo.com

Many site issues can be caused by corrupt cookies or cache.

  • Clear the Cache and
  • Remove Cookies

Warning ! ! This will log you out of sites you're logged in to. You may also lose any settings for that website.

Type about:preferences<enter> in the address bar.

  • Cookies; Select Privacy. Under History, select

Firefox will Use Custom Settings. Press the button on the right side called Show Cookies. Use the search bar to look for the site. Note; There may be more than one entry. Remove All of them.

  • Cache; Select Advanced > Network.

[v57+] Select Privacy. Across from Cached Web Content, Press Clear Now.

If there is still a problem, Start Firefox in Safe Mode https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-issues-using-safe-mode

A small dialog should appear. Click Start In Safe Mode (not Refresh). Did this help?

While you are in safe mode;

Try disabling graphics hardware acceleration in Firefox. Since this feature was added to Firefox it has gradually improved but there are still a few glitches.

How to disable Hardware Acceleration {web link}

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Thank you for both: your prompt reply and for attempting to understand and solve the problem.

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Is the problem still there?