Safari URL bar does not search - have to open Google

1. Safari > Preferences > Search > Search Engine:

Uncheck the box beside “Include search engine suggestions”.

2. Delete com.apple.Safari.plist file and test.

Empty the Trash.

Quit all applications.

Hold the option key down and click the "Go" menu in the Finder menu bar.

Select "Library" from the drop down.

Library > Preferences > com.apple.Safari.plist

Right click on it and select "Move it to Trash".

Close the Finder window.

Restart and relaunch Safari. Click “Start using Safari” link at the bottom.

If this doesn’t help, “Put Back” the com.apple.Safari.plist

Right click on the Trash icon in the Dock and select “Open”.

Right click on the com.apple.Safari.plist and select “Put Back”.

You need a search engine to search a site in URL bar , so you have chosen google link as in home page ( shown in red arrow ) when safari opens .

You wrote in the original post : It's only when I open Safari *or* use it for the first time each day (if it's left open overnight) that it doesn't work.

Possibility system will sleep if you kept it open overnight and do not move fingers on the trackpad or shake mouse .