Hello,

The Refresh feature (called "Reset" in older Firefox versions) can fix many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your bookmarks, history, passwords, cookies, and other essential information.

Note: When you use this feature, you will lose any extensions, toolbar customizations, and some preferences. See the Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings article for more information.

To Refresh Firefox:

1. Open the Troubleshooting Information page using one of these methods:
   • Click the menu button , click help and select Troubleshooting Information. A new tab containing your troubleshooting information should open.
   • If you're unable to access the Help menu, type about:support in your address bar to bring up the Troubleshooting Information page.
2. At the top right corner of the page, you should see a button that says "Refresh Firefox" ("Reset Firefox" in older Firefox versions). Click on it.
3. Firefox will close. After the refresh process is completed, Firefox will show a window with the information that is imported.
4. Click Finish and Firefox will reopen.

Did this fix the problem? Please report back to us!

Thank you.

If you ask me this automated answer has noting to do with my question.

It's not an automated answer. Google is the Firefox default, something is switching you to Yahoo. You can spend hours finding what it is, or reset and fix it immediately

Hi Paul, just to clarify, the problem is that searches entered through the address bar or one of Firefox's search bars return a page of Yahoo results instead of Google results? And you can fix the problem for the rest of your session by changing your default search engine on the Search panel of the Preferences page?

Recent versions of Firefox no longer include any Yahoo search engine plugin, so it is being added on somehow. This could be done through an add-on or other software on your computer. This might not be under an obvious name, because some third parties use Yahoo for their search results (they pass a unique parameter in the URL to get credit from Yahoo for sending the traffic).

A Refresh (suggested above) will clear add-ons unique to your current Firefox profile. If you would like to check those yourself, you can view, disable, and often remove unwanted or unknown extensions on the Add-ons page. Either:

• Command+Shift+a (Windows: Ctrl+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 search, privacy, or security-related that could modify search results? Anything suspicious or that you just do not remember installing or why? If in doubt, disable (or remove).

Any improvement?

If the problem persists:

(1) What is the exact name of the search plugin as it appears on the Search panel of the Preferences page?

(2) What is the URL of the results page if you send a search to that search plugin?

(3) Do you use any utility software outside of Firefox that may touch browser settings data?