Unable to search or add new engines: Difference between revisions
Alice Wyman (talk | contribs) (→Spyware and malware: removed links to specific applications an forums and linked to [[ Standared diagnostic - Firefox#Check for malware instead. Added "Searches being redirected" section) |
Alice Wyman (talk | contribs) (→Searches being redirected: added ISP issue and reference for malware issue) |
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==Searches being redirected== | ==Searches being redirected== | ||
If searches are being redirected to an unwanted search engine such as Ask.com, disable or [[Uninstalling add-ons|uninstall any extensions]] and [[Uninstalling toolbars|remove any added toolbars]] that you suspect may be interfering with Web searches. Also [[Resetting preferences|reset any preferences]] related to the removed add-ons and reset any preferences in [[about:config]] that refer to the unwanted search engine. See [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=627084 this forum topic] for additional information. | |||
Note: If typing an incorrect URL in the Location Bar redirects you to a results page from an unwanted search engine, this is a different issue. Your ISP (Internet Service Provider) may be intercepting the failed DNS requests, as discussed [http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/02/26/1741253 here]. | |||
If the problem persists or if your search results are being redirected to unwanted websites, [[Standard diagnostic - Firefox#check for malware|check for malware]]. [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=948945] | |||
==Search Bar not working and cannot add new search engines== | ==Search Bar not working and cannot add new search engines== | ||
Revision as of 11:03, 5 January 2009
Unable to search
Extensions
- XPL LinkScanner: The "XPL LinkScanner Firefox 2.6" extension can cause searches to fail [1] or Firefox may crash when using various search engines. Disable or uninstall this extension in Firefox via "Tools -> Add-ons -> Extensions".
- AVG Safe Search: The "AVG Safe Search" Firefox extension is included with AVG 8 Free Antivirus as part of the LinkScanner component. Among other issues, this extension is reported (in Firefox 3) to cause problems with Google search results [2] Disable this extension in Firefox via "Tools -> Add-ons -> Extensions".
For more information, see the entries for these extensions in the Problematic extensions article.
Spyware and malware
Spyware and other malicious software (malware), including variants of the Vundo/Virtumonde trojan, can cause certain sites to never finish loading and Google, Yahoo!, or other search engines may fail. [3] [4] [5] [6] For example, after entering a search in Google, "Waiting for www.google.com..." may remain in the status bar and no results will be returned. Your security software may not detect the malware so you should install and run another application that can scan your system and remove the malware or seek help from a forum specializing in malware removal. Some recommended anti-malware applications and help forums are listed here.
Searches being redirected
If searches are being redirected to an unwanted search engine such as Ask.com, disable or uninstall any extensions and remove any added toolbars that you suspect may be interfering with Web searches. Also reset any preferences related to the removed add-ons and reset any preferences in about:config that refer to the unwanted search engine. See this forum topic for additional information.
Note: If typing an incorrect URL in the Location Bar redirects you to a results page from an unwanted search engine, this is a different issue. Your ISP (Internet Service Provider) may be intercepting the failed DNS requests, as discussed here.
If the problem persists or if your search results are being redirected to unwanted websites, check for malware. [7]
Search Bar not working and cannot add new search engines
If the Search Bar no longer works and you can't add new search engines, the problem may be a corrupt "search.sqlite" file. [8]. Try the following solution:
- Exit Firefox and go to your Firefox profile folder.
- Delete (or rename) the file "search.sqlite".
- Re-start Firefox to see if it solves your problem.
