Hi Michel, you should get automatic notification of replies at the email on your Mozilla Support account.

Also, sorry about the slow image upload. It may work better to reply to your own question (https://support.mozilla.org/questions/1062608) and attach the image file that way.

Meanwhile, if you wouldn't mind testing something, could you try searching 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 difference?

No difference - I tried the Safe Mode action, as suggested, but it doesn't seem to have made a difference.

By the way, I should have asked which search boxes have the problem:

• Built-in Firefox home page
• Address bar
• Search bar on the toolbar
• Search engine website
• Other page

Did you make sure that the Google search engine is selected?

You can check if you have the XML files of the default search engines including Google in the browser\searchplugins folder in the Firefox program folder.

If not then you need to reinstall Firefox.

Try to delete the search.json file and possible search-metadata.json and search.sqlite files in the Firefox profile folder to reset the search engines to the default. You can use this button to go to the currently used Firefox profile folder:

• Help > Troubleshooting Information > Profile Directory: Show Folder (Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder)
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox

Firefox will rebuild the search.json file from the default search engines in the "browser\searchplugins" folder in the Firefox program folder and the searchplugins folder in the Firefox profile folder.

Hi cor-el,

Thanks for your suggestions. I tried ... to try them, but it's a bit convoluted.

I feel that re-installing Firefox would be the best solution. My only reason to hesitate is that I'd have to re-install my bookmarks, which is a bit tedious, but not really a big deal.

Any further comments ?

Many thanks,

Michel

Hi Michel, to test whether a reinstall would work, you might want to try this test:

Create a new Firefox profile

A new profile will have your system-installed plugins (e.g., Flash) and extensions (e.g., security suite toolbars), but no themes, other extensions, or other customizations. It also should have completely fresh settings databases and a fresh cache folder.

Exit Firefox and start up in the Profile Manager using Start > search box (or Run):

firefox.exe -P

Do not delete any profiles here!

Any time you want to switch profiles, exit Firefox and return to this dialog.

Click the Create Profile button, assign a name like May19Test, and skip the option to change the folder location. Then start Firefox in the new profile you created.

Does search work better?

When returning to the Profile Manager, you might be tempted to use the Delete Profile button. But... it's a bit too easy to accidentally delete your "real" profile, so I recommend resisting the temptation. If you do want to clean up later, I suggest making a backup of all your profiles first in case something were to go wrong.

To transfer your bookmarks to the new profile, you can use the Restore feature to restore a backup of your bookmarks. See: Restore bookmarks from backup or move them to another computer.

Locating the backup file is the biggest challenge. When you select "Choose File" from the menu, paste this into the path and press Enter to quick move toward your old Firefox profile folder:

%APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles

Most likely your old folder has default in its name, but if in doubt, you can explore each folder. Inside, there should be a bookmarkbackups folder containing numerous dated backups. Try the most recent one you find.

Were you able to complete both suggestions in my above post?

Do you see the search engine's XML files in the \browser\searchplugins in the Firefox program folder?

• (32 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\"
• (64 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\"

"Create a new Firefox profile" didn't help. Two points :

1) The space between firefox.exe and -P is essential 2) I had to use internet Explorer to access Restore Bookmarks

Thanks, What next ?

Regards,

Michel

I accessed the \browser\searchplugins file but the folder was shown as 'empty'.

Thanks. What next.

Wouldn't it be simplest to un-install and re-install Firefox ? And would that solve the problem ?

Regards,

Michel

Hi Michel, sometimes an uninstall may preserve unwanted program folder files. Could you try it this way:

Clean Reinstall

We use this name, but it's not about removing your settings, it's about making sure the program files are clean (no inconsistent or alien code files). As described below, this process does not disturb your existing settings. Do NOT uninstall Firefox, that's not needed.

(1) Download a fresh installer for Firefox 38.0.1 from https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/ to a convenient location. (Scroll down to your preferred language.)

(2) Exit out of Firefox (if applicable).

(3) Rename the program folder

(32-bit Windows folder names)

C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox

to

C:\Program Files\OldFirefox

(64-bit Windows folder names)

C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox

to

C:\Program Files (x86)\OldFirefox

(4) Run the installer you downloaded in #1. It should automatically connect to your existing settings.

Any improvement?

Note: Some plugins may exist only in that OldFirefox folder. If something essential is missing, look in these folders:

• \OldFirefox\Plugins
• \OldFirefox\browser\plugins

micheldaniel said

When I type something into the central search window, and then either press enter, or click on the search icon, my typing disappears, and the cursor reappears. I've tried to add an illustrating image, but have not been able to upload it.

Hi jscher2000,

The re-install, as detailed in your post, worked ! Many thanks.

I hope it lasts ...

Regards,

Michel