The built-in Firefox "new tab page" doesn't have a special background, so you may have been using an add-on for that. To check the internal 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 that appears above the list, type or paste '''newtab''' and pause while the list is filtered (3) Double-click the '''browser.newtab.url''' preference and enter the desired value: * ''Page thumbnails (default)'' => about:newtab * ''Blank tab'' => about:blank * ''Built-in Firefox home page'' => about:home * ''Any other page'' => full URL to the page Press Ctrl+t to open a new tab and... does it look like you want? ---- You can check on whether any "speed dial" extensions have become disabled on the Add-ons page. Either: * Ctrl+Shift+a * "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons In the left column click Extensions. Then on the right side scroll down and check for any disabled extensions at the bottom of the list.