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Wannan tattunawa ta zama daɗaɗɗiya. Yi sabuwar tambaya idan ka na bukatar taimako.

Opening a google search result link opens it in a new tab suddenly - why?

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In firefox I tried options>general>tabs and unchecking "open new windows in a new tab instead", and now clicking on google search results opens them in a new window - I'm guessing there is a setting somewhere for google search to open all searches in new windows and firefox is overriding this to only open in a new tab. It used to open in the same tab?

This is backed up by a previous post https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1050321#answer-699199 where someone has this issue, but they don't say exactly how it was solved.

In firefox I tried options>general>tabs and unchecking "open new windows in a new tab instead", and now clicking on google search results opens them in a new window - I'm guessing there is a setting somewhere for google search to open all searches in new windows and firefox is overriding this to only open in a new tab. It used to open in the same tab? This is backed up by a previous post https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1050321#answer-699199 where someone has this issue, but they don't say exactly how it was solved.

All Replies (3)

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you can disable google search results opening in new windows (=new tabs in firefox) at https://google.com/preferences

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I followed your link and "where results open> Open each selected result in a new browser window " is unchecked. I tried checking then unchecking but results still open in the new tab.

Its like this button is stuck on somewhere?

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Occasionally Firefox reads the state of the Ctrl key wrong. Usually tapping it vigorously several times will clear that up.

In case the cookies Google set on your Firefox are messed up, or updated files are not being used...

When you have a problem with one particular site, a good "first thing to try" is clearing your Firefox cache and deleting your saved cookies for the site.

(1) Bypass Firefox's Cache

Use Ctrl+Shift+r to reload the page fresh from the server.

Alternately, you also can clear Firefox's cache completely using:

"3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Options > Advanced

On the Network mini-tab > Cached Web Content : "Clear Now"

If you have a large hard drive, this might take a few minutes.

(2) Remove the site's cookies (save any pending work first). While viewing a page on the site, try either:

  • right-click and choose View Page Info > Security > "View Cookies"
  • (menu bar) Tools > Page Info > Security > "View Cookies"
  • click the padlock or globe icon in the address bar > More Information > "View Cookies"

In the dialog that opens, you can remove the site's cookies individually.

Then try reloading the page. Does that help?


If not, could you test in Firefox's Safe Mode? That's a standard diagnostic tool to deactivate extensions and some advanced features of Firefox. More info: Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode.

If Firefox is not running: Hold down the Shift key when starting Firefox.

If Firefox is running: You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
  • Help menu > Restart with Add-ons Disabled

and OK the restart.

Both scenarios: A small dialog should appear. Click "Start in Safe Mode" (not Refresh).

Any improvement?