Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions (Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance).

• Do NOT click the Reset button on the Safe Mode start window.

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Safe+Mode
• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Troubleshooting+extensions+and+themes

This was never a problem before I had to reset firefox to default. The problem only happens when you open multi tabs. but not in the original tab. maybe it is a new issue between firefox 26 and windows 8.1.

anyone else have this problem?

Does pressing the ESC key when the location bar has focus also work?

What problem(s) did you have to reset Firefox?

Did running Firefox in Safe Mode have any effect?

ok. Hitting the ESC key does make the URL address re-appear. But the question is why would it disappear to begin with?

Resetting Firefox was one of the steps I had to follow to remove Search Conduit, a malicious browser hijacker.

Running Firefox in Safemode did not fix the problem. But I guess the ESC key will have to work for me or i can try re-installing firefox.

Did this happen immediately after the reset or at a later time?

Does this only happen on a new tab?

What is the current setting for the new tab page as set via the browser.newtab.url pref?

You can open the about:config page via the location bar.

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/about:config

Rename or delete the prefs.js file and possible numbered prefs-##.js and user.js files to reset all prefs to the default value.

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Preferences_not_saved
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Resetting_preferences

i just reset the new tab settings to default and it fixed the problem.

Well the problem started again. Thought you people like to know. It only happens in new tabs.