Google Toolbar Can Break Firefox Address Bar Search

When you type something in the Firefox address bar with Google Toolbar, it automatically performs a Google search if the phrase you typed doesn't match a web domain. The situation is slightly different with OpenDNS but can be reverted with a simple hack.

When you type something in the Firefox address bar, it automatically performs a Google search if the phrase you typed doesn’t match a web domain. The situation is slightly different with OpenDNS but can be reverted with a simple hack.

Now, for some unknown reason, the default search function of the Firefox address bar broke after installing the Google Toolbar (version 5.0).

The searches from Firefox address bar were getting redirected to some server at linkhelp.clients.google.com and then to opendns.com.

Not sure why Google changed the defaults but here’s a a simple fix for the above problem:

1. Type about:config and click ‘I Promise’.

2. Type keyword.URL in the Filter field and change the values as shown below:

Before: about:neterror?e=query&u=
After: http://www.google.com/search?q=

http://www.cleverlifetips.com Joe

The new google toolbar broke my tabs in firefox too…
http://www.sciencebase.com David Bradley

Yes, I saw that break when I installed the new Gbar. Autofill also seems to be broken so I’ve reverted to the previous install till they fix things.
http://msftandthefuture.spaces.live.com/ Quikboy

Why would anyone even use a toolbar these days? It’s all in the browser.

Plus, I tend to avoid downloading anything Google onto my computer. Too much privacy issues to worry about already. Web version is ok, but on the desktop – no.
Andy

It works for me on Firefox 3.0.3. Did you install new or upgrade from the older version?
http://greg-loesch.com/blog Greg Loesch

Awesome tip. I had this issue, too. Thanks!
Sylvain

I did what you advise, but the parameter reverts back to about:neterror?e=query&u= after I try searching from the address bar. I Have FF 3.03 installed. Thank you for any help you can provide.
srikanth

I’m having the same issue. No matter how many times I reset the search engine in keyword.url, it is reverting to about:neterror?………

quite irritating.
http://mrshl.net mrshl

I had all kinds of issues with Google Toolbar 5.0. Almost all of which were related to address bar behavior. Not sure how they managed to royally mess up the most basic of browser functions.

Thanks for the fix.
Fred

I don’t know what happened but I have the same problem. I did what you said and it fixed it no problem. 15 minutes later, same problem again. Now I can’t even get into the about:config…WTF? I’m running Ubuntu, not that, that should matter but I’ve tried everything and I think I may have to uninstall Firefox and start over…what a pain in the arse. If anyone has a better idea, please let me know.
http://restlessbee.com Erik Kraft

Thanks for the fix! This has been driving me crazy since I did an ill-advised test install of the Google Toolbar.
http://magnoliasouth.storytlr.com/ magnoliasouth

Can you explain what google.toolbar.linkdoctor.backup.keyword.URL is? I accidentally reset that (it did after all have keyword.url) and want to make sure that it’s correct. I did a search online and can’t even find it! Any ideas?
http://pykih.blogspot.com Mihir Modi

Worked but there is another issue. Before the problem, the search was more intelligent – if the keywords I’d enter were very specific, it would directly take me to the website

For example, if I’d type ‘mtv india’, it would take me to MTV India’s website instead of presenting me with Google search results.

That doesn’t happen now. Any suggestions?

Google Toolbar Breaks Firefox Address Bar Search

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