See:

• Tools > Options > Privacy > Firefox will: "Use custom settings for history" > "Remember search and form history"

• https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Form+autocomplete

hi, this didn't resolve the issue i'm having...perhaps i didn't explain it properly...usually i go to firefox search bar and i click it and a list of previous search terms that i have typed in appear in a list that i can scroll down to find a previous term i have typed in which i then click on which then puts that word into search bar then i can click search for results, now when i click that search bar nothing comes up so i have to manually type the word in which is a shame as i really liked that feature. cheers

Are you typing that in the Google search bar on the Navigation Toolbar or in a search bar on a web page like the default about:home page?

The Google web site (www.google.com) uses autocomplete=off to prevent saving search terms, but the new about:home page does remember form data if you've selected to remember that like I wrote above. The search bar on the Navigation Toolbar should do the same.

Make sure that you do not run Firefox in permanent Private Browsing mode.

• https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Private+Browsing

To see all History and Cookie settings, choose: Tools > Options > Privacy, choose the setting Firefox will: Use custom settings for history

• Deselect: [ ] "Always use private browsing mode"