No Cursor in Google Search Input Box

Uuurrrh, Google is at it again. Starting a few days ago, I notice that when you open Google search page, the cursor is not in the search input box. A closer examination reveals that the cursor initially is there for a split second and then it disappear. You have to click to put the cursor in there. Sounds mundane enough but it is actually very annoying. Usually, as soon as you open Google you can start tying in your search but now the extra mouse move and click is really frustrating if you do as much search as I do.

It only happens w/ Google and only just started a few days ago. Also, it only happens with certain computers. Searching the web reveals that a lot of people are having the same problem. Fixes works for other people don't work for me including enabling Active Scripting, Javascript, etc.

I am hoping someone out there has a solution.

I just now opened a new tab in IE8 and typed Google.com.... All was well.

Have you narrowed the issue down to a specific browser? Or OS?
Does it only happen if Google is your home page or anything else unique?

Same with me, the cursor is where it should be on mine too. It sounds like something else may be grabbing the focus on your PC - try minimising other windows and see if that makes any difference.

Out of the 4 computers at home, so far it only happens in this computer. At work, it happens with a few co-workers' desktops also.

On this computer, it only happens with IE8. Using Chrome, it's normal. But searching the web, I've seen posts of the exact same problem from people using F.F. and Chrome also also. Some users report the same problem with the iGoogle page also.

It only happens with Google search. You open Bing, Yahoo, etc, the cursor is where it's supposed to be.

It is as if the Google page loses the focus once it's fully loaded up.

Clearing the browser caches doesn't fix it.

On the web, I've found that:

In some cases, users report that for some unknown reasons, Google suddenly got put in the Restricted Site in IE. Once they remove it from the list, the cursor is back to normal. But I checked and it's not the case for me.

In some cases, users reported that if they enable Active Scripting in IE, it will fix the problem. It doesn't work for me.

There is a theory that an add-on may have caused this b/c some users get the normal cursor behavior when they surf in incognito mode. So far no body can confirm that yet. I have tried uninstalling or disabling all add-on's but still it doesn't do it for me.

There are other fixes I've found but none works for me so far. The common element in all these cases is that the users (including me) have changed nothing in their systems. It just happens all at a sudden. We've done thorough malware and virus scans and have found nothing.

falcon2000--
Long shot--System Restore to a date before the problem started.

Forgot to say that but, yes, I tried a few restore points already.

FWIW, if I disable Javascript in Firefox 6, the cursor does not start in the Search box. Enable Javascript and it works as it should.

Just tried it in Chrome 13 and the same thing happens.

They must need Javascript to move the cursor into, (or back into), the Search box.

Yes, tried that already. No go still.

Kind of solved.

After searching the web some more, I've found that if I turn off "Google Instant" in google's search setting preference, the cursor will stay in the search input box.

I always have Google Instant on, so don't know what has changed (with Google, perhaps?) for this to happen.

But it's not a solution for me b/c I happens to like Google Instant. So here is my work around. Open Google, click to put the cursor in the input box, type a opening " mark in (I use the " " a lot in searches anyway). Use this as the home page.

Ah that might explain it then. I detest Google Instant, and always have it turned off, hence why the cursor is where it should be in mine.

For those that don't want Google instant but DO want to continue with the autocomplete as usual set your homepage to

http://www.google.com/webhp?as_qdr=all

change .com to your local google if you wish.

Just noticed the same problem a few days ago after a windows update. Glad to have found this discussion, thanks for the info. Google instant was the culprit but hopefully google will become aware of this and update accordingly.

Welcome to the site :)

The latest info on this and similar Google issues:

Google’s magical cursor-jumping search box bug

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/seo/google...67?tag=nl.e539