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Firefox, PLEASE STOP changing my search engines!!!

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I am getting SO sick of this! Firefox will randomly replace my default search with Yahoo, add in Bing and something else with the word duck in it (I already removed it so I don't remember, but it's not something I've ever used) and not only does it add those things AND change my default, but it also ERASES all the search engines that I've added. I am getting sick of this, especially since I can never guess when it's going to do it! Firefox just randomly does this sometimes for NO reason! PLEASE STOP!

I am getting SO sick of this! Firefox will randomly replace my default search with Yahoo, add in Bing and something else with the word duck in it (I already removed it so I don't remember, but it's not something I've ever used) and not only does it add those things AND change my default, but it also ERASES all the search engines that I've added. I am getting sick of this, especially since I can never guess when it's going to do it! Firefox just randomly does this sometimes for NO reason! PLEASE STOP!

Chosen solution

Hi GreenTea13, if your home page also gets changed, could you start here:

One possible culprit would be an extension. 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? (Don't assume their name will advertise their bad behaviors...) If in doubt, disable (or remove).

Any improvement?


Regarding losing additional search engines you added on, that definitely shouldn't happen. Once you have it set up the way you want, please make a backup of the settings file for search engines, as follows:

Open your current Firefox settings (AKA Firefox profile) folder using either

  • "3-bar" menu button > "?" Help > Troubleshooting Information
  • (menu bar) Help > Troubleshooting Information
  • type or paste about:support in the address bar and press Enter

In the first table on the page, on the Profile Folder row, click the "Open Folder" button. This should launch a new window listing various files and folders in Windows Explorer.

Find search.json.mozlz4 and right-click > Copy it, then Paste somewhere malware isn't likely to look, such as your Documents folder. In the future, if this happens again, you could replace the new file with your old one to restore your current search engines.


Finally, please be advised of a potential program folder infection caused by the installation of the program Lavasoft Web Companion. More on that in this thread: https://support.mozilla.org/questions/1198173

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (4)

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Hello, sorry having a issue. You seem under the impression we are doing something. Sorry that is not the case; though interesting torment factor. Please see this :

Suggest always :

If still get no satisfaction you can always : uninstall Firefox. Then Delete the Mozilla Firefox Folders in C:\Program Files , C:\Program Files(x86) & C:\ProgramData Then restart system. Then run Windows Disk Cleanup. (Note: This should be Pinned and run Weekly, If never done below expect 10's of gig's) Then run it again and click the button that says Cleanup System Files. Note: your Firefox Profile is saved. But you should make a back up before you do :

Reinstall with Current Release Firefox 59.0.2 with a Full Version Installer

Please let us know if this solved your issue or if need further assistance.

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Separate Security Issue: Update your Flash Player or remove it using these links; http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-windows.html Uninstall Flash Player | Windows http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-mac-os.html Uninstall Flash Player | Mac

Note: Windows users should download the ActiveX for Internet Explorer. and the plugin for Plugin-based browsers (like Firefox).

Note: Windows 8 and Windows 10 have built-in flash players and Adobe will cause a conflict. Install the plugin only. Not the ActiveX.

Flash Player Version: Version 29.0.0.113

https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/ Direct link scans current system and browser Note: Other software is offered in the download. <Windows Only>

https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/otherversions/ Step 1: Select Operating System Step 2: Select A Version (Firefox, Win IE . . . .) Note: Other software is offered in the download. <Windows Only> +++++++++++++++++++ See if there are updates for your graphics drivers https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/upgrade-graphics-drivers-use-hardware-acceleration

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Pkshadow said

You seem under the impression we are doing something. Sorry that is not the case;

I know it's not something the people of this forums are doing, WHY would I think that? (I am hoping someone that work for Firefox sees the message even though I know it's unlikely) I assume it's a Firefox issue and unless you work for Firefox and meant "You seem under the impression FIREFOX IS doing something" then sure, maybe it is spyware even though I've scanned and cleaned my computer who knows how many times and am still having this problem.

It's so annoying to have ALL my search I've added removed and replaced with Yahoo. My homepage even gets changed to Yahoo and I have no idea how to fix it at this point ;_;

Modified by GreenTea13

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Chosen Solution

Hi GreenTea13, if your home page also gets changed, could you start here:

One possible culprit would be an extension. 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? (Don't assume their name will advertise their bad behaviors...) If in doubt, disable (or remove).

Any improvement?


Regarding losing additional search engines you added on, that definitely shouldn't happen. Once you have it set up the way you want, please make a backup of the settings file for search engines, as follows:

Open your current Firefox settings (AKA Firefox profile) folder using either

  • "3-bar" menu button > "?" Help > Troubleshooting Information
  • (menu bar) Help > Troubleshooting Information
  • type or paste about:support in the address bar and press Enter

In the first table on the page, on the Profile Folder row, click the "Open Folder" button. This should launch a new window listing various files and folders in Windows Explorer.

Find search.json.mozlz4 and right-click > Copy it, then Paste somewhere malware isn't likely to look, such as your Documents folder. In the future, if this happens again, you could replace the new file with your old one to restore your current search engines.


Finally, please be advised of a potential program folder infection caused by the installation of the program Lavasoft Web Companion. More on that in this thread: https://support.mozilla.org/questions/1198173