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

CTRL F (Search) opens but will not find content on the active webpage.

  • 2 replies
  • 4 have this problem
  • 11 views
  • Last reply by RB

more options

I often use the Search function (CTRL F) on webpages to search for content. Since upgrading to version 31.0 it no longer works. It opens but will not find anything.

I often use the Search function (CTRL F) on webpages to search for content. Since upgrading to version 31.0 it no longer works. It opens but will not find anything.

Chosen solution

Make sure that "Match case" on the Find bar doesn't have a tick.

Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions (Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem.

  • Switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance
  • Do NOT click the Reset button on the Safe Mode start window
Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (2)

more options

Chosen Solution

Make sure that "Match case" on the Find bar doesn't have a tick.

Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions (Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem.

  • Switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance
  • Do NOT click the Reset button on the Safe Mode start window
more options

After opening Firefox in safe mode the "CTRL-F" function worked. I disabled all of the Add-ons and restarted and confirmed it still worked. I then started enabling the Add-ons one at a time and testing after each. The search function still worked after turning all of the Add-ons back on. Very strange but it works correctly once again.  ;-)