I-Firefox Community Forum

Suddenly I cannot search from the search bar. It defaults to the address bar. why "fix" something that was not broken. Being forced to use the address bar is frustrating. If you go directly to the address bar, it tells you it cannot find that site.

How do I get searches (my default is Google) to STOP going to the address bar? This started out of the blue and it is making me crazy. I don't want to be asked which search to use, and I don't want it to search in the address bar. I want it in the search box. Thanks.

I can't seem to locate how to activate the microphone in the AI sidebar. I have Gemini selected, and when I hit the microphone to dictate I get the following message.. Unable to access the microphone. Please check settings.

I looked through Firefox settings and my laptop's but I don't see where it is turned off or asking for activation.'

Tom Z.

I am reopening the question from 2020 as the solution described no longer seems to apply. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1284577

I am running Windows 11. Firefox 144.0 (64-bit)

When entering search terms into the search bar in the centre of the page, the information typed appears in the address bar, even after following the fix described in 1284577.

Treating the address bar as the search bar appears to be the default. While the user can additionally deselect the search engine in the address bar, that is an unnecessary and undesired additional step for every search (the primary reason I am using Firefox)

Is there a way to permanently set the default for what I enter into the search bar to remain in the search bar and not to be managed by the address bar? Thanks, Rich

"I’ve been having trouble with choppy YouTube videos in Firefox. It happens on both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections. My system is running Windows 10, and I’ve already tried disabling hardware acceleration and clearing my browser cache. The issue persists even when I’m in Safe Mode. I’m using the latest version of Firefox (XX.XX). Any suggestions on how to fix this?"

These icons appeared recently in my Firefox browser I can't remove them. The only recent changes included uninstalling SuperAntiSpyware after finding that Microsoft PC Manager is a better option, which has performed excellently without issues.

Additionally, a free VPN (Proton) was briefly used from the Firefox browser without installation, but after finding it complicated to set up, it was deleted. A few hours later, I noticed the two icons as the windows were misbehaving and they are causing a slowdown in the PC's performance. They do not seem to be add-ons or extensions.

How do I remove the icons and return to the previous performance?

I don't like to use the address bar to type searches. I like using the SEARCH BOX in Firefox's New Tab instead. But, with each update, I once again have to try to figure out how to set Firefox searches to be typed in the search box. Is there any way to set this so it doesn't get changed with every update?

Previous solution: switch browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.improvesearch.handoffToAwesomebar to false does not work anymore.

Please help.

Regards, Victor

I am having a problem with Firefox. Some websites do not load correctly and certain extensions do not work as expected.

I have already tried restarting Firefox and checking my internet connection, but the issue still happens.

Please advise how to fix this problem. Thank you.

When I try to make a Google search I get the following message, "I'm not a robot" with a reCAPTCHA: "Our systems have detected unusual traffic from your computer network. This page checks to see if it's really you sending the requests, and not a robot. Why did this happen?". This happens on Firefox, but not Chrome or Edge. If I 'Allow' Google in the 'Exceptions - Cookies and Site Data' then I do not get the message, but it takes several seconds for Google display the resulting page. However, if I delete the cookies/cache the message will return and I have to redo the reCAPTCHA. I have scanned with Malwarebytes, Bitdefender, Hitman Pro, Trend Micro House Call and Microsoft Defender, nothing detected. Running Win 10 (64) with 'Extended Security Updates', Firefox 147.0 (64), no additional Extensions or Plugins. Also I uninstalled and reinstalled Firefox.

How to make Firefox my default browser on my new computer a Windows 11 computer. I’m to the point where I’ve got a pop-up window, which says sync Firefox on your phone or tablet. I am asked toOpen Firefox on my mobile device. Then Go to the menu and tap sign in. That’s where I am. Now I’m asked to tap “ready to scan” and hold my phone over the code. Unfortunately, my Firefox app does not show a ready to scan option after I get to sign in. Help!!

How can I disable various Firefox usage hints? I've uploaded an example of one of these hints associated with the List all Tabs button. This hint pops up every time I start Firefox. There are other hints like the attached that appear from time to time.

This doesn't appear to be a bug. During a recent Firefox update, I believe I either checked a box to show me these hints or I failed to uncheck the appropriate box. I haven't figured out how to discontinue these hints (via Internet search, Firefox support search, or me poking around in Firefox settings).

I'm running desktop Firefox on Windows 11 Home, version 10.0.26200 build 26200.

Thanks.

• OS Version: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional (x64) Version 22H2 (build 19045.6218) • Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-6700T CPU @ 2.80GHz, Intel64 Family 6 Model 94 Stepping 3, CPU Count: 8 • Total Physical RAM: 16 GB • Graphics Card: Intel(R) HD Graphics 530, 1024 MB • Hard Drives: C: 476 GB (361 GB Free); D: 664 GB (483 GB Free); P: 267 GB (80 GB Free); S: 1862 GB (1687 GB Free); T: 1863 GB (1687 GB Free); • Motherboard: HP 829E, ver KBC Version 06.29, s/n PGAXV0QNNB7EO6 • System: HP, ver HPQOEM - 0, s/n 8CG8343NN9 • Antivirus: Windows Defender, Enabled and Updated

• Windows 10 Professional (x64) Version 22H2 (build 19045.6218) • Firefox 144.0.2 (64-bit) • Thunderbird 128.10.1esr (64-bit)

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Well, well, well. Latest Firefox update and what did you folks send along to take over my PC screen when I log-in? This: https://getadblock.com/en/update/latest/?f=f&version=6.31.1&u=68uu84zt49066849&bc=3072&rt=0

Clever, clever, clever aren't you folks?

1. I have NEVER downloaded "adblock" 2. "Adblock" cannot be found in the PROGRAMS listed on my PC, so no way to "uninstall" your uninvited, unwelcome, unneeded bit of buy-this-buy-this-buy-this angling. 3. "Adblock" cannot be found on a search of the registry. 3. What a pathetic approach, Firefoxers!

GET RID OF IT FROM SHOWING UP ON MY COMPUTER SCREEN WHEN I OPEN FIREFOX! NOW!

A recent update (https://windowsreport.com/firefox-fixes-an-8-year-old-windows-bug-that-broke-virtual-desktop-use/) has broken behavior I previously depended on as part of my workflows: If I clicked a link in one desktop, it would open that link in the browser instance on the last desktop I'd used, so I could keep all my browser windows on one virtual desktop full-screened for easy viewing, then slide back to my other workspaces for messaging/writing/etc.

Now, apparently as a bug fix, every time I try to open a link on a desktop, it creates a new Firefox instance in that desktop instead of opening the link in the browser I have open on other workspaces. This has dramatically impacted how I work. How can I restore the previous behavior? It is so disruptive having new windows opening all the time instead of keeping them in my dedicated browser workspace. If there isn't a fix for this, I will need to move to a new browser.

OMG someone please help me...I have used Firefox forever as my work browser. I have saved passwords to client accounts for 3rd party sites, etc. It has EVERYTHING. I updated my Mac with the latest software install today and when I opened Firefox it didn't restore my tabs. I got stuck in a loop where it would not update to the current version of Firefox. I uninstalled Firefox and re-installed it and LOST EVERYTHING. I AM FREAKING OUT because all my bookmarks are lost and I don't even know what they are - I have tried to restore bookmarks and it goes back to 2022 and 2023 and when I restore nothing happens. ANYONE SOMEONE please tell me you know how to help me find my stuff otherwise I am cooked.

Hi, Since the last update for Mozilla on the laptop (updated on 6/Oct/2025 - version 143.0.4 (64-bit)), all the shortcuts to websites in Firefox homepage I had pinned have disappeared. Also I can't add new shortcuts. I already have shortcuts enabled in Settings>Home>Firefox Home Content>Shortcuts.

Does anyone know how to solve this?

Kind regards.

Bárbara O.