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What to do if your browser address bar doesn’t search
6 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Despite being excellentbrowsers,Google Chromeand Mozilla fire are occasionally affected bysome bugs.
For example, the address bar doesn’t search in these browsing software making it difficult for you to conduct smart searches when working from eitherbrowser.
The program either flatly fails to carry out any searches from the bar or does it intermittently. It might also display the relevant URL but refuse to actually go there.
It won’t even load the wanted website’s icon or even make the slightest attempt to retrieve your desired web pages. And such issues.
Now, this article focuses on how to restore normal address bar search function in the two browsers.
But let’s briefly highlight why the address bar doesn’t search at times in the two applications.
Why the address bar doesn’t search in Chrome/Firefox
How to solve the search bar issues
1. Set the address bar (omnibox) to act as your default search box
You can specify the address bar(Omnibox) to operate as a search box. It’s set to automatically use Google though you can still set a different default search engine.
Google Chrome
B. Firefox (Awesome bar)
2. Enable Predictive Search
If you’ve not yet enabled predictive search, then do it.
Google Chrome
Mozilla Firefox
3. Scan Your PC for Malware
If the address bar doesn’t search still, scan your entire computer for malware and clean any infections.
Use agood antivirusand update it before starting the scan.
Forchrome, you may run this powerfulChromeCleanup tool. It is very effective in removing stealth software that could be causingChrometo experience the address bar issues.
4. Check and Uninstall Messy extensions
Some extensions are known to hijack the search function inbrowsersso investigate if you could unknowingly install such and get rid of them.
Chrome
Firefox
5. Create a New Browser Profile/Account
Once in a while, the issue is with yourpersonal profile. Hence create a newbrowserprofile and see how it pans out.
Chrome
- A new window opens asking you to sign in. Do that and remember to turn onsync. Try searching from the address bar using this new profile.
B.Firefox
6. Reset Your Browser Settings
You can return yourbrowsersettings back to default if everything else has so far repulsed your efforts to recover youraddress barcomplete search ability.
In most cases, this succeeds.
Chrome
Firefox
7. Uninstall and Reinstall your Browser
Now you may consider uninstalling and then freshly installing the latest Mozilla Firefox orChromeprogram.
It’s cumbersome but if successful, you will no longer complain that your address bar doesn’t search.
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Madalina Dinita
Networking & Security Specialist
Madalina has been a Windows fan ever since she got her hands on her first Windows XP computer.
She is interested in all things technology, especially emerging technologies – AI and DNA computing in particular.
Prior to joining the WindowsReport team, she worked in the corporate world for a number of years.
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Madalina Dinita
Networking & Security Specialist
Madalina is a Windows fan since forever, especially interested in AI, emerging technologies, privacy, and security.
