Firefox lets you choose which search engine runs when you type a search into the address bar. If searches are going to the wrong provider, you can switch the default in under a minute and add more engines if the one you want is missing.
Does this affect you?
Use this for Firefox on Windows, Mac, or Linux when address bar searches open a search engine you did not choose, or when you want to change the default to Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, or another provider.
Switch your default search engine
This changes the search engine used for normal address bar searches.
- Click the Firefox menu button in the top-right corner.
- Open Settings.
- Choose Search from the left panel.
- Find Default Search Engine.
- Open the dropdown and choose the provider you want.
- Test it by typing a normal search into the address bar and pressing Enter.
Firefox applies the change immediately. You do not need to restart the browser.
More control
Add another search engine
On the same Search settings page, click Find more search engines. Firefox opens the Add-ons site, where you can add supported engines. After adding one, return to Search settings and choose it from the default search dropdown.
Use search shortcuts
Under Search Shortcuts, assign a keyword such as g for Google. Then type that keyword, press Space or Tab if Firefox prompts, and enter your search. This lets you use another engine once without changing the default.
Stop search from switching back
If the default changes by itself, an extension is usually responsible. Open Add-ons and themes > Extensions, remove anything unfamiliar, then set your default search engine again.
Restore removed defaults
If you deleted a built-in Firefox search engine by accident, use Restore Default Search Engines near the bottom of Search settings.
Sources
- Mozilla Support – Manage Firefox search settings (2025)
- Mozilla Support – Add or remove a search engine in Firefox (2025)