Windows 11 start menu search not working after 23H2 update (Solved)

The search function is extremely important on windows 11, If you are Unable to Type in Windows 11 Search Bar, search bar not working correctly, keeps searching, and never finds anything here are a few quick ways to get things up and running in no time!

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Start menu search is a valuable feature that allows you to quickly search and access files, apps, and web services. But sometimes you may notice the start menu search not working, the search results nothing. Users report, “Can’t Type in Windows Search Bar” after the Windows 11 update. When attempting to search for items in the Windows 11 start menu – no results are shown. The same thing happens whether you’re searching for files, programs or Windows 11 features. There are multiple reasons may cause Windows 11 Search Not Working, buggy windows update, third-party PC optimizer or Antivirus, system file corruption or the search service stuck running. Whatever the reason here we have the best working solutions apply to fix the problem Windows 11 start menu search not working after update.

Windows 11 Start Menu Search Not Working

  • You can fix the Windows search problem by running search and indexing troubleshooter.
  • Make sure the Windows search service is running or restart the service.
  • Rebuild indexing options is another effective way to fix the search problem on Windows 11
  • Run the system file checker utility to check if corrupted system files causing the Windows search not working.

First of all restart Windows Explorer, which may clear whatever the minor bug encountering the problem.

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  • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open taskmanager,
  • In the process, tab look for Windows Explorer right-click, and select restart.

Restart your device refresh all running processes and clear temporary glitches that may be causing Windows search not working.

In addition to this, disable and completely remove all third-party antivirus software (if installed) from your device and check if the start function is restored on your PC.

Start windows into clean boot state and check the start menu search results showing, If yes then any third-party application causing the issue. Find out and uninstall the problematic application and check Windows search started working.

Check the Windows search service running

Windows search is dependent on the Windows search service If due to some reason, the service not started or is stuck running it might cause Search on Windows 11 refuse to work.

  • Press Windows key + R, type services.msc and click ok
  • This will open the Windows service console, scroll down and locate Windows search,
  • Look at its status, if it’s running then right-click on Windows Search select restart,
  • If the service has not started, then double click on Windows Search service to open its properties,
  • Here change the startup type automatic and start the service next to the service status.

windows 11 search service

Run Search and Indexing troubleshooter

Windows 11 comes with a number of troubleshooting apps to fix minor problems automatically. There is a search and indexing tool that is specifically for search issues. Here is how to access and run this troubleshooter.

  • Press Windows key + I to open settings,
  • Go to the system then Troubleshoot, and click on other troubleshooters
  • This will display a list of available troubleshooters, locate search and indexing then click on run next to it,
  • Next, select checkmark what problems you are experiencing, click next and follow the on-screen instructions.
  • The troubleshooter automatically detects problems prevent Windows search working and try to fix them automatically.

Search and indexing troubleshooter

Once the troubleshooting completes, reboot your PC and now check if the Windows search function working.

Restore indexing service

Again if for any reason the search index is stopped, or corrupted then the Windows search stop showing search results. That causes open indexing options (From Control Panel\All Control Panel Items) Click on Advanced options and click the Rebuild button under the Troubleshooting category.

rebuild search index options

Rebuilding the index may take a long time to complete the message popup click ok to start the process. Keep in mind that this might take quite a while to finish. If that doesn’t help, just click on the “Troubleshoot search and indexing” link from the same dialog and follow the on-screen instructions.

Check with a Different user account

Again some users report creating a new user account profile and login in with a newly created user account helps them to fix the Windows search problem. You can try the same, To check it helps or not.

To create a new user account open the command prompt as administrator,

Type net user “Username” “password” / add and press enter key

Note Replace” username with newly create a user account and replace password: set password for the user account.

log off from the current user account and login with the newly created user account and check start menu search working perfectly.

If yes then there is a problem with old user account simply transfer old user account data to the new user account and continue with the newly created user account.

Update windows 11

Microsoft regularly releases Windows updates for Windows 11 with security improvements and the latest bug fixes. And installing the latest Windows updates may have a bug fix for the Windows search problem.

  • Press the Windows key + I to open the settings
  • Click on Windows Update then hit check for Updates,
  • If pending updates are there allow them to download and install on your PC,
  • Once done, you need to reboot your PC to apply the changes.
  • Now check if the Windows search function is restored on your device.

windows 11 checking for updates

 

Re-register Windows 11 Start menu

This is another effective solution recommended by users on the Microsoft forum, Reddit. Re-register the Start menu helps them to get back to the Windows search working state.

To do this open Powershell As an administrator (Right-click on start menu and select Powershell (admin) option.

Or you can navigate to C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0 ( Right-click on PowerShell and select run as administrator. Then run the command below:

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

Re-register windows 11 start menu

After executing the command Close PowerShell and restart Windows. On the next login check and search, something on start menu search check is working…

Repair system files

Sometimes corrupted, missing system files, (Especially during the Windows 11 upgrade process) Also cause search results to stuck or not show search results. Run the System file checker to check and restore if any missing system files causing the issue.

  • Open command prompt as administrator
  • Type the command sfc /scannow and press enter key,
  • Let the scanning complete 100%, this will scan for corrupted missing files on the Windows system and try to replace them with the correct ones.
  • Once done, reboot your PC and check if the search function working again.

SFC scan windows 11

Did these solutions help to fix “Windows 11 Start Menu Search Not showing search results“? Let us know which option worked for you, Also comment below if you have any queries or a suggestion about this post. 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.

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