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When I click the URL bar or the search bar, it doesn't select the text or show the cursor like it used to.

  • 4 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 67 views
  • Last reply by John_S

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AS the question says, when I clicked the search bar in previous versions, "Google" would disappear and I would see the flashing cursor. When I clicked in the URL of a blank tab, it would select all the text, and I would see a cursor when I typed or backspaced to remove the selected text. Now, none of that happens.

After a bit of troubleshooting, it appears that any theme I use causes this issue.

In the previous version of Firefox, I used the exact same plugins add-ons and theme, and never had this issue.

I went thru and tried disabling all the add-ons and plugins, and unless I run in safe mode, I have the same result. None of the add-ons or plugins causes this. It seems to be any theme I use that causes this.

AS the question says, when I clicked the search bar in previous versions, "Google" would disappear and I would see the flashing cursor. When I clicked in the URL of a blank tab, it would select all the text, and I would see a cursor when I typed or backspaced to remove the selected text. Now, none of that happens. After a bit of troubleshooting, it appears that any theme I use causes this issue. In the previous version of Firefox, I used the exact same plugins add-ons and theme, and never had this issue. I went thru and tried disabling all the add-ons and plugins, and unless I run in safe mode, I have the same result. None of the add-ons or plugins causes this. It seems to be any theme I use that causes this.

Chosen solution

As I stated in my original question, it happened with any theme I used. Some changed the color, some didn't.

This can be locked, unless someone else has the same problem and wants to keep using Firefox 15 or higher.

I went back to an older version. Unless they add the ability to change that pointless, useless, counter-intuitive behavior, I won't be "upgrading" any time soon.

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All Replies (4)

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Firefox 15+ will still display the grayed placeholder text if you click an input field or text area.
The placeholder text will only disappear after you have typed at least one character.

Does a present URL get selected if you click or double-click the location bar?

There are some prefs to set what will happen if you click the location bar:

  • browser.urlbar.clickSelectsAll
  • browser.urlbar.doubleClickSelectsAll
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The problem isn't the placeholder text, although that is quite annoying too.

The main issue is the lack of a cursor so I know whether I have focus in the correct place or not.

Like I stated above, in safe mode with the theme disabled, I at least see the cursor so I know I'm not typing for nothing. As soon as I re-enable any theme, it disappears.

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The themes that you use may not be compatible with the new behavior of the placeholder and thus may cause problems with the visibility of the cursor.

Are the themes that you use changing the background color of the location bar?

See also:

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Chosen Solution

As I stated in my original question, it happened with any theme I used. Some changed the color, some didn't.

This can be locked, unless someone else has the same problem and wants to keep using Firefox 15 or higher.

I went back to an older version. Unless they add the ability to change that pointless, useless, counter-intuitive behavior, I won't be "upgrading" any time soon.