2019 following the latest update my google search now defaults to a yahoo page. I am not tech savay and am ready to remove Firefox from my PC.
Google is my search engine i guess you call it and is what show up on my screen. When I enter a topic to search it defaults to Yahoo now with results. This is so frustrating as I am have looked in setting and it doesn't look like there is Yahoo anywhere on the screen. Options: Default search is Google and below that I have google and bing as one click options. This started after the last update.
Chosen solution
Hi dar5444, does your Options page, Search panel, show that Google is the default search engine?
Assuming so, one possible culprit for the hijacking 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 that mentions search, or that you just do not remember installing or why? If in doubt, disable (or remove).
Any improvement?
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Chosen Solution
Hi dar5444, does your Options page, Search panel, show that Google is the default search engine?
Assuming so, one possible culprit for the hijacking 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 that mentions search, or that you just do not remember installing or why? If in doubt, disable (or remove).
Any improvement?
I found a shift tab that was loaded that I didn't remember and I disabled it, now it is allowing my search to load Google results. Thank you, I appreciate you made it simple enough for me to find a solution.
dar5444: Its really important to calmly go through the Options pages with any software. If you can't spare the time to do that I guarantee you your experience with that program will be far less than optimal. Just do it with the most commonly used ones at first and you'll see how worthwhile it is. You'll find the people here exceedingly patient and knowledgeable for all your Firefox/Thunderbird inquiries. And they don't bow down to Mozilla like the droids on Microsoft and Google support forums do where its often impossible to get a balanced answer.
If you can read which obviously you can, you'll find it very clear. You know what Search is presumably. Most anything else is pretty self evident and you can always google the phrase if it isn't. Many of us wish Mozilla would just tell us what each Option does but that is asking too much I guess. I would opt for a popup when your mouse cursor is on top of something. A popup we can enable or disable quickly. We can always hope.
dar5444 Hello,
I am glad to hear that your problem has been resolved. If you haven't already, please select the answer that solves the problem. This will help other users with similar problems find the solution.
Thank you for contacting Mozilla Support.
You made it easy to understand were to go to and it was at the bottom of the add on listed, I suspect the last one added? Once disabled a search test was completed and NO YAHOO! I am thrilled that the support here was easy enough for even a non techy to understand and do. (of course the picture helped :) )
The only add on I have is Honey. How do I get rid of Yahoo when I open Firefox?
David said
The only add on I have is Honey. How do I get rid of Yahoo when I open Firefox?
Hi David, do you mean Yahoo has taken over your home page? You can check that setting on the Options/Preferences page. See: How to set the home page.