I began having this problem today after a Windows update. Some time ago, I had this same issue and a search gave me the instructions for a fix in about:config where I changed "browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.improvesearch.handoffToAwesomebar" to false. I just checked that to see if it needed to be reset, but it is still configured to false, so I wonder what is going on.

I agree it should not require a fix, but here we are. Have you tried this? Type about:config in the address bar, then click on "Accept the Risk and Continue." Next, paste: browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.improvesearch.handoffToAwesomebar in the search box, or click "show all" and scroll to find it. Look to the right and find the toggle symbol and click it to change "true" to "false" then restart Firefox and see if that fixes the issue. It worked for me for a few years. Hope it helps.

I have no idea why it is not working for me now. Maybe it is some sinister thing with Windows. Windows updates have been wreaking havoc with my computer for the past couple of months.

Hello

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1339296 https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/ideas/please-use-the-searchbox-but-not-the-address-bar-in-new-tabs/idi-p/4720

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1562583

Under Firefox 147, currently 147.0.3. browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.improvesearch.handoffToAwesomebar, the preference is available in about:config and works.

Since Firefox 148, browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.improvesearch.handoffToAwesomebar has been removed.

For information https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1999334

https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=2016227

About Studies https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/shield

Type about:studies into your address bar to see a list of your studies. Click the Remove button next to the study you want to opt out of.

Hi,

Sorry for the inconvenience. The team is working on implementing a modern embedded search UI for the New Tab. For now, unfortunately, you won't be able to change that behavior. The old code has been removed to clean up space for the new one.

Is there a plan to change this on 148 soon?

The previous flags in "About:Config" don't work, and the checkbox in settings is utterly useless, as it just defaults to searching in the URL bar either way.

I do not want this functionality, and no other browser forces this. It's making me want to promptly ditch Firefox completely and find something else to use.

Why is this even a thing? Nobody wants to search in the URL bar.

Please address this ASAP.

Why is this even a thing? Nobody wants to search in the URL bar.

You are mistaken.

However, the decision has been made to temporarily revive this pref for accessibility purposes.

I and apparently others do not appreciate being forced to search from the address bar. I asked this question on the 12, here it is 24 and the problem STILL is not fixed. I swear, Firefox is getting as bad as edge or chrome

I and apparently others do not appreciate being forced to search from the address bar. I asked this question on the 12, here it is 24 and the problem STILL is not fixed. I swear, Firefox is getting as bad as edge or chrome

You have been using an UNSUPPORTED developer feature that has been in that state for years. It's explicitly stated that any about:config pref can disappear at any moment. So it's really weird to blame Firefox here.

I have been searching from the search since I have had a computer, so, can't figure how you think it should be unsupported. AND IT IS THE FAULT OF FIREFOX since THEY changed it,.

Why do they change something that works perfectly well and has done for years, its so frustrating Its been stated it has been reverted back to how it was, but I have rebooted and still it kicks you to the address bar How do I get back to the search field I had in the middle before I ditch Firefox after many years

So has this been fixed yet? It is driving me crazy!

Where is this fix to revert it to a usable state?

Temporary solution is to Not use Firefox landing page or use it then a have a Firefox Home Content "Shortcuts" to your fav search engine (DDG). Click that and use the search bar in page. I know it's a pain that we shouldn't need to bear, but it is what it is until Firefox makes that loud Popping Noise of getting their head out of their rearward facing orifice.

The answer appears to be to reluctantly use a different browser as this is intolerable

I agree! Please let me know who you are going to go with, if you don't mind.

I agree with all earlier remarks. Please do not interfere with the work flows of users. Which is not a first time remark..? We have different things to do than spend hours dragging through your about:config because of brilliant new ideas. Then again, it is probably the same old same old: whether it is tab placements, search engine "suggestion", extension deactivation, forced pocket, cliqz or other "studies".... And still the line goes down. So THX for messing up our branding with (multiple client specific) search bar pages... Hope you come to enlightened thoughts before we finally give in to our base who wanted to move elsewhere already because "there" it is "faster", "more accepted", "better", "more integrated", "with great modern additions!™" And the line goes down further... But hey, end-of-the-year-bonus is a different line...

PS - small addition: I now also saw the discussion of the FF devs on this topic (https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1999334) (Since when was the non-handoff-search a bug? Did your overlords tell you that?)

"The non-handoff capabilities for the content search UI have been disabled by default since 2021 with no UI exposed for re-enabling it, and according to our telemetry, less than 0.3 percent of searches use the non-handoff mode, so we feel pretty comfortable removing it at this point."

Small remark there: might it occur that perhaps FF (and forks) users might not have telemetry enabled? I know, silly me, then again, we know how we should handle the remarks of those pesky 0.3% of users anyway, no?

"I don't think this would affect any of the ongoing refactoring, though rather than Eng approval you need Search Product approval, as it's likely some users (that 0,3% you found) will be vocal about this removal."

Looking at the amount of comments here, and the current market share that FF has, we might already have more than 0.3% don't you think?

Hello

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/what-mozilla-connect, a space for users to give product feedback

https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/discussions/firefox-148-0-is-not-allowing-me-to-use-the-search-bar-it/td-p/118704

I use firefox because it used to not track like the other browsers, HOWEVER, now there are sites where because of recent changes, you cannot use firefox. DirectTv is one of them, and the other is using the ID.me to log into social security accounts. I don't know what the recent "brilliant" people who have decided to make changes goal is, other than perhaps they are being paid by other platforms to destroy the favoritism Firefox as heretofore enjoyed. Not so much anymore. Please quit giving users lip service and claiming you are going to fix something and fail to do so.

The same applies to me. The settings under “About Config” no longer work. Why would anyone want to search in the address bar? Even Chrome has a normal search bar and has never changed it, because why would you? I have ALWAYS used the normal search bar in Firefox and want the normal search bar back! I don't want to be forced to search in the address bar! And until the normal search bar can be used again, I will boycott Firefox for good and use a different browser.

Apparently the "fix" should be implemented in the next release, ie 148.01 on the 10th March 2026

It can't come quick enough

The old saying, if it ain't broke, don't fix it springs to mind