diff --git a/searx/engines/hex.py b/searx/engines/hex.py
index 2c1036f4d..4c4920f68 100644
--- a/searx/engines/hex.py
+++ b/searx/engines/hex.py
@@ -21,6 +21,9 @@ categories = ["it", "packages"]
 # engine dependent config
 paging = True
 search_url = "https://hex.pm/api/packages/"
+# Valid values: name inserted_at updated_at total_downloads recent_downloads
+sort_criteria = "recent_downloads"
+page_size = 10
 
 linked_terms = {
     # lower-case : replacement
@@ -47,7 +50,7 @@ linked_terms = {
 
 
 def request(query: str, params):
-    args = urlencode({"page": params["pageno"], "search": query})
+    args = urlencode({"page": params["pageno"], "per_page": page_size, "sort": sort_criteria, "search": query})
     params["url"] = f"{search_url}?{args}"
     return params
 
diff --git a/searx/settings.yml b/searx/settings.yml
index 65c4966d4..78279d725 100644
--- a/searx/settings.yml
+++ b/searx/settings.yml
@@ -923,6 +923,9 @@ engines:
     engine: hex
     shortcut: hex
     disabled: true
+    # Valid values: name inserted_at updated_at total_downloads recent_downloads
+    sort_criteria: "recent_downloads"
+    page_size: 10
 
   - name: crates.io
     engine: crates