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I am trying to get Duckduckgo as my default search engine in Firefox.

bbvette
bbvette
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Hi- I am trying to switch from Google to Duckduckgo as my default firefox serach engine. I successfully downloaded the add on and it is now enabled on firefox in the add on section. It installed fine. That said, when I click on my magnifying glass in the search bar, it shows only the prior search engines, Norton Safe search, Discover Now, and Google. There is no Duckduckgo option to select and save as the default. What is wrong?

Hi- I am trying to switch from Google to Duckduckgo as my default firefox serach engine. I successfully downloaded the add on and it is now enabled on firefox in the add on section. It installed fine. That said, when I click on my magnifying glass in the search bar, it shows only the prior search engines, Norton Safe search, Discover Now, and Google. There is no Duckduckgo option to select and save as the default. What is wrong?

All Replies (1)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 25 Contributor
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Hi bbvette, in most of the world, DuckDuckGo already is included with Firefox, so it sounds as though something is interfering.

Could you start on the Options page, either:

  • Windows: "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Options
  • Mac: "3-bar" menu button (or Firefox menu) > Preferences
  • Linux: "3-bar" menu button (or Edit menu) > Preferences
  • Any system: type or paste about:preferences into the address bar and press Enter/Return to load it

In the left column, click Search, then on the right side, scroll down to the Search Shortcuts box. If DuckDuckGo does not appear here, could you click the button at the bottom, "Restore Default Search Engines". If DuckDuckGo does appear in this box, make sure there is a checkbox at the left or click in that area to add one. Everything in this box that has a checkmark should be available in the search bar.

In the upper part of the page, you also should be able to change the Default search engine from (whatever it is now) to DuckDuckGo. Is it listed? More info on that selector: Change your default search settings in Firefox.

If the page mentions that an extension/add-on is controlling your search engine, does it mention which extension it is?