To get rid of Yahoo Search in Firefox, open your browser’s settings and change the default search engine from Yahoo to your preferred option, such as Google, Bing, or DuckDuckGo. If Yahoo keeps returning after you restart Firefox, the culprit is almost always a browser extension, and you’ll need to disable or remove it to permanently get rid of yahoo search Firefox. This same extension-driven hijacking is why Yahoo keep opening in Chrome with McAfee, often bundled with security software. If you'd rather switch away from an unwanted search engine entirely, you can similarly remove DuckDuckGo from Google Chrome when it's been set without your permission.
How to Get Rid of Yahoo Search in Firefox: Immediate steps to change the default search engine
The fastest way to stop Yahoo from handling your searches is to switch the default search engine inside Firefox’s own settings. This action takes effect immediately and applies to every search you run from the address bar or the search bar.
- Click the menu button, three horizontal lines, in the top-right corner of the Firefox window.
- Select “Settings” (or “Preferences” on macOS) from the drop-down menu.
- In the Settings tab, click “Search” in the left-hand navigation panel.
- Under the “Default Search Engine” section, use the drop-down menu to choose your desired search engine, such as Google, Bing, or DuckDuckGo.
Once you make that selection, Firefox will route all new searches through your chosen engine. There is no need to restart the browser; the change is live the moment you pick a new default. If you only want to stop Yahoo from being the default but keep it available as an option, this step alone is sufficient.
Remove Yahoo from the Search Shortcuts List
Changing the default engine does not delete Yahoo from Firefox entirely. It remains listed under “Search Shortcuts” (sometimes labeled “Additional search engines”), which means you could accidentally select it again, or it could reappear as an option in the address bar’s search suggestions. To completely delete Yahoo from the alternate search engine options, you need to remove it from that list.
- Stay on the Search settings panel you just used.
- Scroll down to the “Search Shortcuts” section.
- Locate Yahoo in the list of available search engines.
- Click on Yahoo, then click the “Remove” button next to it.
After you remove Yahoo from this list, it will no longer appear anywhere in Firefox’s search interface. This is a permanent removal within your current profile, so you won’t see Yahoo as an option in the address bar, the search bar, or the settings panel. If you ever want it back, you’d have to manually add it again, but for most users, deleting it outright is the cleanest way to ensure it never interferes with your browsing. This same logic applies if you ever need to remove DuckDuckGo from Safari: you’re not just changing the default, you’re stripping the unwanted engine out of the browser’s available options entirely.
Reset Firefox to Default Settings
If Yahoo has embedded itself in multiple places, such as your homepage, new tab page, or search shortcuts, and manual removal feels incomplete, you can use Firefox’s built-in “Refresh Firefox” feature. This is a comprehensive reset that restores the browser to its original state, wiping out any unintended configurations, including unwanted search engine settings.
- Click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner.
- Select “Help,” then choose “Troubleshooting Information.”
- In the Troubleshooting Information tab, click the “Refresh Firefox” button.
- Confirm the action when prompted.
This process reverts Firefox to a fresh installation state. It removes custom settings, extensions, and browsing history, and it resets search engine preferences back to Mozilla’s defaults. After the refresh, Yahoo will no longer be the default search engine, and any leftover traces of it will be gone. Be aware that this also deletes your saved passwords, bookmarks, and open tabs, so it’s wise to back up anything important before proceeding. The reset is a reliable last resort if you suspect deeper corruption or if a stubborn extension has locked Yahoo into place despite your manual efforts.
Stop Yahoo from Reappearing After a Restart
If you change the default search engine and remove Yahoo from the shortcuts list, but then restart Firefox and find Yahoo back in charge, a browser extension is almost certainly forcing it. Extensions can silently override your search settings, and some are designed specifically to redirect searches to Yahoo for advertising revenue. To stop this from happening, you need to identify and disable the offending extension.
- Open the Firefox menu and select “Add-ons and themes.”
- Click “Extensions” in the left-hand panel.
- Review every extension in the list.
- Disable or remove any extension that is unfamiliar, suspicious, or related to Yahoo or search functionality.
Common culprits include toolbars, “search helpers,” or extensions you don’t remember installing. If you see anything with “Yahoo” in its name, remove it immediately. For extensions you’re unsure about, disable them one at a time, restart Firefox, and check whether Yahoo returns. This trial-and-error approach pinpoints the exact add-on responsible. Once you’ve disabled the problematic extension, change your default search engine back to your preferred choice, and it will stick across restarts. If Yahoo still reappears after removing all suspicious extensions, repeat the Refresh Firefox process from the previous section, as that will clear out any hidden add-ons that may not appear in the standard extensions list.
