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

Yahoo Search/Search-Land Search has taken over my Google Search in Firefox

more options

I have my preferred search engine set to Google and it has always worked. But as of yesterday every time I put a search in the address bar, it gets redirected to a Yahoo search or search-land search. I can open the google.com tab and try and it still gets redriected .. I don't understand what has happened or how to stop it and get back to my Google search preference. It has even taken over the opening of a new tab, I used to have random Flicker pictures displayed with each new tab, not it displays a Google search tab, but redirects to Yahoo and search-land when I try any search. What has happened - How do I get rid of this ?

I have my preferred search engine set to Google and it has always worked. But as of yesterday every time I put a search in the address bar, it gets redirected to a Yahoo search or search-land search. I can open the google.com tab and try and it still gets redriected .. I don't understand what has happened or how to stop it and get back to my Google search preference. It has even taken over the opening of a new tab, I used to have random Flicker pictures displayed with each new tab, not it displays a Google search tab, but redirects to Yahoo and search-land when I try any search. What has happened - How do I get rid of this ?

All Replies (1)

more options

Hi Sammy, you didn't share your add-ons list, but that's where I suggest looking since that's the most common place to find a search hijacker.

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. On the right side, find the "Manage Your Extensions" heading.

If there is at least one extension before the next heading -- "Recommended Extensions" -- please continue:

Then cast a critical eye over the list below that heading. 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). For your privacy and security, don't let mystery programs linger here.

If the Add-ons page is blank or blocked then you need to restart Firefox in its Safe Mode to access the page. Either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > "?" Help button > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
  • (menu bar) Help menu > Restart with Add-ons Disabled

and OK the restart. A small dialog should appear. Click "Start in Safe Mode" (not Refresh).

Can you regain control of search in your Firefox?


After cleaning up, you might still need to adjust some settings. See: