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.

Avatar for Username

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

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

I really hate Ask.com and that is the search engine that always comes up instead of google, how do I remove Ask.com when I cant find it anywhere?

gomeconn
gomeconn
more options

My husband and I share the computer, he uses Chrome and I use Firefox. I like Firefox, but when the last few updates happened I can't set google to be my search engine. I finally got rid of Yahoo and now Ask.com is the engine that comes up automatically. I had Ask.com it never gets to a site that will actually help. I have gone into the options and the search option and I cannot find Ask to delete it. How can I get rid of Ask and only have google as my preferred search engine? Please offer some help other than go to the options settings. Ask is not listed anywhere and therefore cannot be deleted. Thank you

My husband and I share the computer, he uses Chrome and I use Firefox. I like Firefox, but when the last few updates happened I can't set google to be my search engine. I finally got rid of Yahoo and now Ask.com is the engine that comes up automatically. I had Ask.com it never gets to a site that will actually help. I have gone into the options and the search option and I cannot find Ask to delete it. How can I get rid of Ask and only have google as my preferred search engine? Please offer some help other than go to the options settings. Ask is not listed anywhere and therefore cannot be deleted. Thank you

All Replies (2)

superyorch
superyorch
more options

is it possible that you have installed a search extension on top of your browser? check this article that might be of help: https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2421591,00.asp

otherwise, there is no other way around changing your search engine without going through your settings.

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

It would be too easy if intruders had obvious names. You'll have to put on your detective hat.

Along the lines of the above suggestion: You can view, disable, and often remove unwanted or unknown extensions on the Add-ons page. Either:

  • Ctrl+Shift+a (Mac: Command+Shift+a)
  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
  • type or paste about:addons in the address bar and press Enter/Return

In the left column of the Add-ons page, click Extensions.

Then cast a critical eye over the list on the right side. Any extensions Firefox installs for built-in features are hidden from this page, so everything listed here is your choice (and your responsibility) to manage. Anything suspicious or that you just do not remember installing or why? If in doubt, disable (or remove). Only let the ones essential to you run in your browser.

Any improvement?

I also suggest:

(1) Open the Windows Control Panel, Uninstall a Program.

After the list loads, click the "Installed on" column heading to group the infections, I mean, additions, by date. This can help surface undisclosed bundle items that snuck in with some software you agreed to install. Be suspicious of everything you do not recognize/remember, as malware often uses important or innocent sounding names to discourage you from removing it.

Take out as much trash as possible here. If you're not sure, feel free to post program names or a screenshot of the list.

(2) Search for remaining issues with the scanning/cleaning tools listed in this support article: Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware. These on-demand scanners are free and take considerable time to run. If they finish quickly and especially if they require payment, you may have a serious infection. I suggest the specialized forums listed in the article in that case.

Hopefully that will flush anything on your system and in your Firefox that could be a problem.