Windows 10 Search function not working properly? Here how to fix!

Windows search function is a built-in tool in Windows operating systems that allows users to search for files, folders, applications, and other content stored on their computer.

Share

Windows search function not working properly after windows 10 21H2 upgrade? A number of users report issue “Windows 10 search box on the taskbar was not working” Can’t type in Windows 10 search bar or Windows 10 Search function not working properly. This could be due to some issues with the “Windows Search” service on the computer and due to which Windows is not able to start this service. Or Windows system files get corrupted that results windows search function being unresponsive.

If you’re also having problems using taskbar Search on Windows 10, here we have some effective methods that are going to help you fix this problem.

- Advertisement -

Windows Search not working

First of all, temporarily disable or uninstall the antivirus and check if it helps.

Check for and install the latest windows update, which should contain the bug fix for the problem.

  • Press Windows + X select settings,
  • Click Update & security, then windows update,
  • Now click on check for updates.

Also, perform a Windows clean boot that should help to determine if any startup service causing the problem.

Restart Windows search service

Try restarting the Windows search service by following the steps below and check if it helps.

  • Press Windows + R key, type services.msc and press enter.
  • Look for Windows search service, if its running state
  • Right-click Windows Search and select restart.
  • If the windows search service not started,
  • Right-click and select Properties
  • Change the startup type to automatic,
  • start the service next to service status.
  • Click apply and ok, Now check the windows search function properly.

windows search service

Search and Indexing troubleshooter

Run the build-in “Search and Indexing” Troubleshooter, which helps to find and fix the problems that prevent to windows search from working properly.

  • Press Windows + x select settings,
  • click on Update & security, then Troubleshoot.
  • Now on the right-hand side look for  and select Search and Indexing
  • Click run the troubleshooter.

Search and indexing troubleshooter

This will start detecting for problems that prevent windows search function properly. Tick the box or boxes for the appropriate troubleshooting process you see. Then click Next to continue, Restart windows after completing the troubleshooting process and check if this helps.

search and indexing

Rebuild Windows Search Indexer

Rebuilding the Search Indexer may help in repairing the built-in search tool in Windows 10.

To rebuild all the index, kindly follow the below given steps:

  • Open Control Panel,
  • Look for Indexing options, double click on it
  • In the Indexing Options window, click on the Advanced button.
  • Click on the Rebuild button under the Troubleshooting section.
  • There is a notification window pops up and click OK to start rebuilding the index.

Rebuild windows Search Indexer

The Rebuilding process will take some time, once it is done, close the window and restart your computer. Check Search function should work normally.

Run DISM and SFC Utility

System File Checker is a utility in Windows that allows users to scan for corruptions in Windows system files and restore corrupted files. Run DISM restore health command and Perform a System File Checker and check if it helps.

  • Press Ctrl Key +Shift Key + Esc Key to open Task Manager.
  • Click File > Run New Task.
  • Make sure you have a checkmark beside “Create this task with administrative privileges”.
  • Type “CMD” without the quotes and hit on Enter Key.

Run following DISM restore health command

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

DISM restore health command

After 100% complete the scanning process type the following command to run the system file checker utility

sfc /scannow

Restart windows after completing the scanning process and check this help to fix windows search problems.

Re-Register Universal Apps in Windows 10

If still, the problem exists there, search function not working properly then,

  • Press Ctrl Key +Shift Key + Esc Key to open Task Manager.
  • Click File > Run New Task.
  • Make sure you have a checkmark beside “Create this task with administrative privileges”.
  • Type “Powershell” without the quotes and hit on enter Key to run WindowsPowerShell as administrator.
  • Now execute the following command below.

Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers |Where-Object {$_.InstallLocation -like “*SystemApps*”} | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}

Restart windows after executing the command and check there is no more problems with the windows search function.

 Create a new user account

This is another way to get rid of this problem. Create a new user account following the steps below. log off from the current user account and login with the newly created user account check this helps.

To create a user account,

  • Press Windows + X select settings,
  • Tap Accounts.
  • Select Family & other users.
  • Tap “Add someone else to this PC.”
  • Select “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.”
  • Select “Add a user without a Microsoft account.”
  • Enter a username, type the account’s password twice, enter a clue and select Next

Did these solutions help to fix windows 10 search problems? Let us know on comments below, Also read:

Steve Ballmer
Steve Ballmer
With over 7 years of experience in the IT industry, I have experience in IT support, helpdesk, sysadmin, network admin, and cloud computing. Certified in Microsoft Technologies (MCTS and MCSA) and also Cisco Certified Professional in Routing and Switching.

Popular posts

NordVPN Birthday Deal

2-Year plan: 67% off + 3 Months FREE

30-day money-back guarantee