This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Is the Search Bar crashing following the current Windows 8.1 update? My searches aren't going through.

  • 11 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by NYgnat

more options

The title sums it up. Windows 8.1 updated overnight. I open Firefox this morning, search using the search window, and any search I try via (at least) Google, Bing and Wikipedia stalls dead. Going to the actual site to do the search works. Closing other tabs, including streaming video, doesn't have an effect. Apparently the sites aren't going through a DDOS attack, since Chrome works just fine on a search. Any knowledge what's going on?

The title sums it up. Windows 8.1 updated overnight. I open Firefox this morning, search using the search window, and any search I try via (at least) Google, Bing and Wikipedia stalls dead. Going to the actual site to do the search works. Closing other tabs, including streaming video, doesn't have an effect. Apparently the sites aren't going through a DDOS attack, since Chrome works just fine on a search. Any knowledge what's going on?

Chosen solution

Did you run Firefox in Safe Mode? Was the problem still there?


Type about:addons<Enter> in the address bar to open your Add-ons Manager. Hot key; <Control>(Mac:<Command>)<Shift> A)

In the Add-ons Manager, on the left, select Extensions. Disable a few add-ons, then Restart Firefox.

Some added toolbar and anti-virus add-ons are known to cause Firefox issues. Disable All of them.

If the problem continues, disable some more (restarting FF). Continue until the problem is gone. After, you know what group is causing the issue. Re-enable the last group ONE AT A TIME (restarting FF) until the problem returns.

Once you think you found the problem, disable that and re-enable all the others, then restart again. Let us know who the suspect is detective.

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (11)

more options

Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web link} While you are in safe mode;

Type about:preferences#advanced<Enter> in the address bar.

Under Advanced, Select General. Look for and turn off Use Hardware Acceleration.

Poke around safe web sites. Are there any problems?

more options

No good; it still doesn't solve the search problem. I'm adding a capture of the screen for a test, with a search done via the search bar and Bing. Interestingly, the search box on a "fresh" tab (with my frequently-visited sites displayed on it) works fine, such as the second picture. Does this help?

Bruce

more options

I noticed the screen is all white. Click in the address bar, and press Enter.

more options

The "white screen" is what comes up when I try a search from the search bar -- a completely blank tab. Putting a cursor in the address bar from this point and pressing enter does seem to complete the search, though. Interesting; why is it stalling halfway through the process?

more options

Chosen Solution

Did you run Firefox in Safe Mode? Was the problem still there?


Type about:addons<Enter> in the address bar to open your Add-ons Manager. Hot key; <Control>(Mac:<Command>)<Shift> A)

In the Add-ons Manager, on the left, select Extensions. Disable a few add-ons, then Restart Firefox.

Some added toolbar and anti-virus add-ons are known to cause Firefox issues. Disable All of them.

If the problem continues, disable some more (restarting FF). Continue until the problem is gone. After, you know what group is causing the issue. Re-enable the last group ONE AT A TIME (restarting FF) until the problem returns.

Once you think you found the problem, disable that and re-enable all the others, then restart again. Let us know who the suspect is detective.

more options

Found it. Sad to say, but it's one of my favorites, Tab Mix Plus. It was working fine before, and it's one of the best extensions I've ever had. Looks like I'll need to find a different tab extension until they get it fixed.

more options

That was very good work. Well Done. Please flag your last post as Solved Problem so other will know.

Make sure you contact their support site.

more options

Fresh information: it appears I wasn't up to date on Tab Mix Plus after all. However, I checked for updates from the add-ons tab, and it said nothing was available. I only found the 0.4.1.6 update after the developer sent me a message. TM+ seems to be working now. I think we can leave this thread closed, but I'd wonder about the update checker a little...?

more options

The update checker has to be told when a new version comes out.

more options

Understood; thanks much.

more options

Same issue, but mine I noticed that the Search bar calls the HTTPS version of the page, which is what errors, so all you need do FOR NOW, until the search bar call is fixed to NOT call the secure version of the search pages (hint to mozilla) is to just delete the "s" from "https" and hit enter, then the NORMAL page you are used to loads as normal.

Modified by NYgnat