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  • Impendulo yokugqibela ngu Talia Ross

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I have Firefox as my default browser instead of Microsoft Edge on my HP laptop. I've tried everything under the sun to make Google my default search engine over Microsoft Bing, and no matter what it won't stop rerouting me to Bing. I can go to www.google.com and type directly in the search bar and it STILL reroutes me to Bing, even when my settings list Google as my default search engine of the search bar. Can I block Bing as a website altogether? HP support only offered to connect me with a specialized team that costs money. Please help.

I have Firefox as my default browser instead of Microsoft Edge on my HP laptop. I've tried everything under the sun to make Google my default search engine over Microsoft Bing, and no matter what it won't stop rerouting me to Bing. I can go to www.google.com and type directly in the search bar and it STILL reroutes me to Bing, even when my settings list Google as my default search engine of the search bar. Can I block Bing as a website altogether? HP support only offered to connect me with a specialized team that costs money. Please help.

Isisombulu esikhethiweyo

Hi, sorry to hear about the "hijacking." If Firefox shows it plans to send a search to Google (this usually shows in the bar below the search box) but you get a results page from a different site, this kind of in-flight redirection usually is caused by either an add-on or by external malware. You didn't share your extensions list while posting your question, so here's how to check for problem extensions on your Firefox:

Open the Add-ons page. Either:

  • 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. On the right side, find the "Manage Your Extensions" heading.

If there is at least one extension before the next heading -- "Recommended Extensions" -- please continue:

Then cast a critical eye over the list below that heading. 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 privacy, or looks suspicious, or that you just do not remember installing or why? If in doubt, disable (or remove). For your privacy and security, don't let mystery programs linger here.

Any improvement?

If your Add-ons page is blank or is blocked, you can restart Firefox in Troubleshoot Mode to do the above review:

In Troubleshoot Mode, Firefox temporarily deactivates extensions, hardware acceleration, and some other advanced features to bypass issues that can cause problems with pages.

If Firefox is running:

You can restart Firefox in Safe/Troubleshoot Mode using either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > Help > Troubleshoot Mode...
  • (menu bar) Help menu > Troubleshoot Mode...
  • type or paste about:support in the address bar and press Enter/Return to load it -- look for the button on the right to restart in Troubleshoot mode

and OK the restart. A small dialog should appear. Click the Open button (NOT reset or refresh).

If Firefox is not running:

Hold down the Shift key when starting Firefox. A small dialog should appear. Click the Open button (NOT reset or refresh).

Can you regain control of your searches?


You might also need to remove external malware. The following support article lists cleaners other Firefox users have found useful; they are either free or have a free trial period: Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware.

Funda le mpendulo kwimeko leyo 👍 1

All Replies (2)

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Isisombululo esiKhethiweyo

Hi, sorry to hear about the "hijacking." If Firefox shows it plans to send a search to Google (this usually shows in the bar below the search box) but you get a results page from a different site, this kind of in-flight redirection usually is caused by either an add-on or by external malware. You didn't share your extensions list while posting your question, so here's how to check for problem extensions on your Firefox:

Open the Add-ons page. Either:

  • 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. On the right side, find the "Manage Your Extensions" heading.

If there is at least one extension before the next heading -- "Recommended Extensions" -- please continue:

Then cast a critical eye over the list below that heading. 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 privacy, or looks suspicious, or that you just do not remember installing or why? If in doubt, disable (or remove). For your privacy and security, don't let mystery programs linger here.

Any improvement?

If your Add-ons page is blank or is blocked, you can restart Firefox in Troubleshoot Mode to do the above review:

In Troubleshoot Mode, Firefox temporarily deactivates extensions, hardware acceleration, and some other advanced features to bypass issues that can cause problems with pages.

If Firefox is running:

You can restart Firefox in Safe/Troubleshoot Mode using either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > Help > Troubleshoot Mode...
  • (menu bar) Help menu > Troubleshoot Mode...
  • type or paste about:support in the address bar and press Enter/Return to load it -- look for the button on the right to restart in Troubleshoot mode

and OK the restart. A small dialog should appear. Click the Open button (NOT reset or refresh).

If Firefox is not running:

Hold down the Shift key when starting Firefox. A small dialog should appear. Click the Open button (NOT reset or refresh).

Can you regain control of your searches?


You might also need to remove external malware. The following support article lists cleaners other Firefox users have found useful; they are either free or have a free trial period: Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware.

Ilungisiwe ngu jscher2000 - Support Volunteer

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I had 2 extensions that didn't seem vital to my work and upon deletion my searches work correctly again, thank you!