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How do I stop firefox from automatically suggesting popular searches when I type in the url bar?

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  • Last reply by kobe

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When I start typing in the url bar it used to autocomplete to my most used address. Now the first thing it comes up with is a list of popular searches. i.e. I type "tw" and it used to autocomplete to "twitch.tv" now the first thing that comes up is twitter. How do I stop these search suggestions and go back to the autocomplete method?

When I start typing in the url bar it used to autocomplete to my most used address. Now the first thing it comes up with is a list of popular searches. i.e. I type "tw" and it used to autocomplete to "twitch.tv" now the first thing that comes up is twitter. How do I stop these search suggestions and go back to the autocomplete method?

Chosen solution

I should mention that this only started happening with the most recent Firefox update. It seems that this would be unlikely to fix the issue and is quite drastic as a first step...

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Hello,

The Reset Firefox feature can fix many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information. Note: This will cause you to lose any Extensions, Open websites, and some Preferences.

To Reset Firefox do the following:

  1. Go to Firefox > Help > Troubleshooting Information.
  2. Click the "Reset Firefox" button.
  3. Firefox will close and reset. After Firefox is done, it will show a window with the information that is imported. Click Finish.
  4. Firefox will open with all factory defaults applied.

Further information can be found in the Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings article.

Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!

Thank you.

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Chosen Solution

I should mention that this only started happening with the most recent Firefox update. It seems that this would be unlikely to fix the issue and is quite drastic as a first step...

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I've seen search suggestions on the search bar (there is a checkbox to turn these on/off using the Manage Search Engines menu choice), but not on the address bar.

Are you using the default search settings in Firefox, i.e., Google everywhere?

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Hello,

Try Firefox Safe Mode to see if the problem goes away. Safe Mode is a troubleshooting mode, which disables most add-ons.

(If you're not using it, switch to the Default theme.)

  • You can open Firefox 4.0+ in Safe Mode by holding the Shift key when you open the Firefox desktop or Start menu shortcut.
  • Or open the Help menu and click on the Restart with Add-ons Disabled... menu item while Firefox is running.

Once you get the pop-up, just select "'Start in Safe Mode"

If the issue is not present in Firefox Safe Mode, your problem is probably caused by an extension, and you need to figure out which one. Please follow the Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems article for that.

To exit the Firefox Safe Mode, just close Firefox and wait a few seconds before opening Firefox for normal use again.

When you figure out what's causing your issues, please let us know. It might help other users who have the same problem.

Thank you.