Troubleshooting Common DuckDuckGo Issues
General, independent guidance for common browser, search, and subscription issues. For account-specific problems, contact official support.
A website looks broken or won't load properly
Tracker blocking can occasionally interfere with a site's own functionality if it relies on a blocked script. Try temporarily disabling protection for that specific site to see if it resolves the issue.
Trouble setting it as the default search engine
Default search settings are generally controlled by your browser or operating system rather than by DuckDuckGo itself — check your browser's own search engine settings menu.
Bookmarks or history missing after using the Fire Button
This is expected behavior for session data the Fire Button is designed to clear; check whether bookmarks specifically are meant to persist across a Fire Button reset in your version, since behavior can vary by platform.
Extension not blocking anything on a specific site
Some sites are added to allow-lists automatically or manually; check the extension's per-site controls to confirm protection is enabled for that particular site.
Can't find a past search
Since search history generally isn't stored server-side, there may not be a way to retrieve a past search after closing the tab — this is a trade-off of the privacy-focused approach.
VPN (if subscribed) seems slow on certain servers
VPN performance naturally varies by server distance and load; trying a different available server location can sometimes improve speed for a specific connection.
Subscription billing or renewal questions
Check your account's subscription section for current billing details. For disputes or refund questions, contact official support directly rather than a third party.
Unsure if a pop-up or email claiming to be from DuckDuckGo is legitimate
Be cautious of unexpected messages asking you to log in or provide payment details. When in doubt, go directly to DuckDuckGo's official site or app rather than clicking a link in an unexpected message.
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