Do you still have the default search engines (*.xml) in the searchplugins folder in the Firefox program folder (C:\Program files\Mozilla Firefox)?

If not then reinstall Firefox on top of the current installation.

You can find the latest Firefox release here:

• Firefox 8.0.x: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/all.html

See also:

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Unable_to_search_or_add_new_engines

Default search engines are still in the searchplugins folder. Reinstalled and upgraded Firefox but it didn't cure the problem. In fact the search bar has now disappeared completely.

If the menu bar is hidden then press the F10 key or hold down the Alt key to make the menu bar appear.

Make sure that toolbars like the "Navigation Toolbar" and the "Bookmarks Toolbar" are visible: "View > Toolbars"

• Open the Customize window via "View > Toolbars > Customize"
• If missing items are in the toolbar palette then drag them back from the Customize window on the toolbar
• If you do not see an item on a toolbar and in the toolbar palette then click the "Restore Default Set" button to restore the default toolbar set up

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Toolbar_customization
• https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Back+and+forward+or+other+toolbar+items+are+missing

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Corrupt_localstore.rdf

Got the menu back OK as per directions, but still no search engines.