Can't Type in Firefox Location Bar upon opening

[jsquareg]

I have Firefox 41.0.1 under Win7 set to open to a blank page. Whenever I open it from a Desktop Icon there is a blinking cursor in the location bar but I can't type an URL or search term until I click the location bar with the mouse. That is inconvenient if the mouse is not connected or, more likely, buried underneath a pile of papers.

Is there a way to allow typing in the location bar immediately upon opening Firefox?

Thank you.

 

[MoxieMomma]

Hi:

Firefox 41.0.1 is very old (by Firefox standards), having been released in Sept 2015.
It is several versions out of date (current release version is 48.0.2) and insecure.

So, at some point, you'll need to update to the current version.
It can be downloaded here:

Firefox - Releases

Having said that, most performance problems originate in the user's profile, not in the program itself.
Likely causes are wonky/outdated/unsupported extensions, as well as problems with global plug-ins and add-ons.

The first, most basic step in troubleshooting is to try Mozilla Safe Mode (not to be confused with Windows Safe Mode). It is a reversible, temporary, "debugging" process. If your problem goes away in Safe Mode, then that points to an extension as the likely cause of the problem. Further steps can then be taken to identify and fix the underlying cause. I suggest starting here:

Mozilla Safe Mode

Depending on how that turns out, we will know what direction to take.

>>Please let us know if your problem is resolved in Safe Mode.

Thanks,
MM

 

[jsquareg]

Thank you MoxeMama. I didn't realize I was that far out of date. I just upgraded to 48.0.2 and the problem still exists even in Safe Mode.

 

[MoxieMomma]

Hi:

Re: version updates. Many hands-on users like to upgrade manually (we keep track of new version releases). But, if you're not that sort of user, then it's probably safer to make sure you have Firefox configured to automatically update (or at least to automatically check for updates and notify you). New versions are released approximately every 6 weeks, with minor updates in between. It's important to stay current, mostly for SECURITY reasons. Screen shot shows where to find and adjust that setting.

Back to the issue at hand...

If Safe Mode did not fix the issue, then your profile may be corrupt.

I suggest starting, in order, with steps 4 through 7 here:

Troubleshoot and diagnose Firefox problems

Before attempting the reinstall or the refresh, I suggest -- as a precaution -- that you back up your profile, or at least critical data, such as bookmarks, "just in case".
There are many ways to do that, but the easiest may be with the FEBE Extension.

Some of the procedures look more complicated than they are. It may help to print them out before you proceed.

Let us know how it goes.
Also, please tell us: what AV and other security software do you have?

MM

 

[torchwood]

Hi JS,
As MM stated its more likely your FF profile.
Presumably you upgraded via the "stub" option, this only updates the system, it will not change your profile settings.
Download >>ONLY<< from this link to install the full version, NOW uninstall your old version, REBOOT.
run the installer
Mozilla Firefox Web Browser — Download Firefox in your language — Mozilla


Roy

 

[MoxieMomma]

Hi JS,
As MM stated its more likely your FF profile.
Presumably you upgraded via the "stub" option, this only updates the system, it will not change your profile settings.
Download >>ONLY<< from this link to install the full version, NOW uninstall your old version, REBOOT.
run the installer
Mozilla Firefox Web Browser — Download Firefox in your language — Mozilla


Roy

Good idea!

That's why I provided the link to the full, localized installers in my previous reply.

Cheers,

MM

 

[jsquareg]

Funny thing! While back on 41.0.1 I went to Help/About/Check for Updates and it told me Firefox was up to date. I then opened FF by single clicking on the FF icon in the task bar and that corrected the problem. If I doubled clicked that icon the problem came back. If I doubled or single clicked the icon on the Desktop it went away again. I will try the 48.0.1 using the suggestions from everyone who posted here once more just to get updated and see what happens

Thanks again to all who made suggestions.

 

[MoxieMomma]

Hi:

Yes, it sounds as if something is broken in your Firefox profile.

As for internal auto-updater, I agree with @torchwood that downloading and running the full setup file from the link we both provided is often more reliable than the auto-updater/stub file.

(I merely pointed out the auto-update setting in Firefox so that you would know where it is. Auto updates are probably "best" for users who are not very hands-on with Firefox and who do not want to perform frequent manual updates. Either way, it's important to keep Firefox updated for security reasons.)

In any event...

...I suggest starting, in order, with steps 4 through 7 here:

Troubleshoot and diagnose Firefox problems

Before attempting the reinstall or the refresh, I suggest -- as a precaution -- that you back up your profile, or at least critical data, such as bookmarks, "just in case".
There are many ways to do that, but the easiest may be with the FEBE Extension.

Some of the procedures look more complicated than they are. It may help to print them out before you proceed.

Please let us know how it goes.
Also, please tell us: what AV and other security software do you have?

Thanks,
MM