Windows 11 Search Bar Not Working [Ultimate Guide]

What to Do First When Windows 11 Search Bar Not Working

When the Windows 11 search bar malfunctions, the OS could occasionally crash, users should thus retrieve their deleted files beforehand. A specialist retrieval program can be helpful for Windows users. So, users could install EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, a powerful data recovery software. It was created to assist with losing information caused by file system breakdowns and contamination.

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Step 1. Launch EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard on your Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, or Windows 7 computer. Select the disk partition or storage location where you lost data and click "Scan".

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How to Fix Windows 11 Search Bar Not Working

Wondering how to fix the Windows 11 search bar not working issue? Before moving with the solutions, we will provide a video for help. The main outlines of the video are shown below:

1. 0:15 - Restart your PC
2. 0:29 - Check for Windows updates
3. 0:45 - Run the troubleshooter to make the Search bar work in Windows 11
4. 1:06 - Restart the Windows Search
5. 1:23 - Reset your PC

You may try several things while fixing the Windows 11 or Windows 10 search bar not working issue. They range from a hassle-free restart to editing system settings and uninstalling apps. Below are the top 8 fixes listed:

1. 1. Reboot Windows PC
2. 2. Restart Windows 11 Search Bar
3. 3. Try SFC and DISM Tools
4. 4. Using the Windows Search
5. 5. Rebuild Windows Search Index
6. 6. Check Excluded Folders
7. 7. Clear Your PC's Search History
8. 8. Check and Install Windows Updates

1. Reboot Windows PC

Rebooting your Windows 11 PC can help with several issues with the system. An easy reboot will remove applications and background processes impeding your search. Follow the steps below to reboot your Windows 11 PC:

Step 1. Hit the Windows key + X to open the power user menu.

Step 2. Hit the Shut down or sign out.

Step 3. Opt for Restart from the list of options, and wait a few seconds to restart your Windows 11 PC.

2. Restart Windows 11 Search Bar

After turning on your PC, Windows 11 quickly starts the search services in the background. If the Windows 11 OS fails to do that, the search won't occur. Follow the steps below to restart Windows 11 search bar:

Step 1. Press Control + Shift + Esc keys to open the Task Manager, and hit the Details tab.

Step 2. Go to the Details tab.

Step 2. Look for SearchHost.exe under the Name column. Now, right-click on it, and hit End Task.

Step 3. Opt for the End Process button after you're prompted to finish SearchUI.exe.

3. Try SFC and DISM Tools

Another best method to fix the Windows 11 search bar not working issue is by running SFC and DISM tools. This is how you can quickly troubleshoot and recuperate your Corrupted files to resolve the issue with your search bar. These are the below-mentioned steps:

Step 1. Hit the Win + R to activate the Run window. Now, type cmd in the window and hit OK.

Step 2. Hit the Enter button after typing DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth in the command prompt.

Step 3. Once the DISM restore process has been adequately completed, you can run the SFC program by entering SFC /scannow and pressing the Enter key. Restart your computer after it's done.

4. Using the Windows Search and Indexing Troubleshooter

Windows search troubleshooter helps find out and resolve some glitches inside your Windows 11 PC. Have you discovered the search bar issue lately? You may run the search and indexing troubleshooter tool designed to locate and resolve issues in the Windows 11 search. Go through the steps below:

Step 1. Hit the Windows + I keys to navigate to Settings and enter "troubleshooter settings" > "Other Troubleshooters". After that, scroll down to locate "Search & Indexing", and hit the "Run" button adjacent to it.

Step 2. Search for the boxes for the issues you discover, and hit the "Next" button, and Search & Indexing will troubleshoot your search and fix the issue.

Step 3. Once done, you might resolve your Windows search bar not working successfully.

5. Rebuild Windows Search Index

Windows 11 counts heavily on a search index for delivering results quickly to your search queries. If there's an issue with the index, the Windows 11 search bar might stop functioning. Luckily, rebuilding the search index isn't as difficult as it might sound. These are the steps to follow:

Step 1. Press Windows + I keys to the Settings app and select "Privacy & Security".

Step 2. Go to the right panel, and opt for "Searching Windows."

Step 3. Navigate to the bottom, and select Advanced indexing options. It will open the Indexing Options window.

Step 4. Select the Advanced button located at the bottom of the window. This window has the Rebuild option. Click on it.

Step 5. Hit the "OK" button. The Windows 11 search bar may work once the index is rebuilt.

6. Check Excluded Folders

Windows 11 lets you exclude any folder from its search results. You cannot view any inner details if the directory housing one of your crucial files and programs is not included in Windows search outcomes. Follow the steps below:

Step 1. Navigate to "Privacy & Security" from "Settings", and go to "Searching Windows".

Step 2. You will see a detailed list of excluded folders, for example, "C:\Windows." Whatever you're searching for can't be received through search, then you must see if the folder isn't on the list.

Step 3. You may quickly remove a file when any program folders or apps remain in an excluded folder.

7. Clear Your PC's Search History

It would be great to reset Windows search history as this issue might arise from corrupted search data. Follow the steps below:

Step 1. Open "Privacy & Security" menu located in the Windows settings.

Step 2. Opt for Search permissions.

Step 3. Opt for the Clear device search history button to view and delete history.

8. Check and Install Windows Updates

Windows 11 lets you choose when and how to download the latest updates to let your system operate safely. These are the steps to follow:

Step 1. Press Windows + I to open settings.

Step 2. Opt for Windows Update > Check for updates in the Windows settings.

Step 3. In case any update is available, it will be shown on the screen. Follow the prompts to install the latest updates.

Many users have proved the efficacy of these fixes. If one of the methods is helpful in resolving the Windows 11 search bar not working issue, share it on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media platforms!

Why Is Windows 11 Search Bar Not Working

The search bar in Windows 11 means the elements you use to enter search queries. It means you type the file or app name and hit the search button. Similar to Spotlight Search on macOS, the Windows operating system also provides a search bar option to find your apps, files, and anything from the PC. What if the search bar stops working suddenly? You don't have other options instead of searching manually, which is time-taking.

Are you a Windows 11 user? Whenever the "Windows 11 search bar not working" issue pops up, you may be can't type the file name or app into its search bar. The worse, the Windows 11 search bar may not respond, implying you can't search. However, not being capable of typing on your Windows 11 PC can be referred to several factors, which you must be aware of:

📂Corrupted Text Service Framework System Service

The Text Service Framework system service, which manages text inputs, is responsible for monitoring this. If you can't write anything in the search area, the MsCtfMonitor scheduled job may have failed to begin or been damaged.

🧊Unresponsive Cortana

According to Microsoft, Cortana assists users in saving time and focusing on what's vital. But when it gets damaged, you can't even type.

❌The Win 11 Update Errors

If the Windows 11 search bar isn't working, the issue might have occurred because of a freshly installed Windows 11 update, interference from the Bing search tool, or corrupted system files.

Final Thoughts

The 8 fixes offered in this article should allow you to restore the functionality of your Windows 11 search bar. It is usually advised that you create a backup of the most important documents on your laptop before attempting any fix. In the unlikely scenario of an unforeseen event, this will aid in preventing data loss. We advise backing up your system using a reputable file backup program like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard.

Windows 11 Search Bar Not Working FAQs

Follow the below-mentioned FAQs to understand the topic better:

1. How to fix the start menu search function on Windows 11?

In order to fix the start menu search function on Windows 11, you may go through the methods below:

• Restart your PC.
• Open the Run dialog box.
• Restart SearchHost.exe.
• Modify the search settings to search for folders.
• Allow or restart the Windows search service.
• Recreate the Windows 11 search index.

2. Why does the Windows 11 search bar keep loading?

The reason might be not installing timely updates. The search bar issue in Windows 11 can occasionally be resolved with a simple update and restart - Press Win + I to access "Settings" on your Windows machine. Go to "Windows Update -> Scan for Update" in the right-side panel.

3. How do I restart search indexing?

Input indexing and select Indexing Options by pressing the Windows Key + S. Then select Advanced. Rebuild can be found under Troubleshooting. The message "Rebuilding the index may require a while to finish" will be displayed to you.

4. How do I fix a frozen search bar?

It can aggravate when your Windows 11 Start Menu or Search Bar is frozen. Reinstalling the Cortana program can resolve a frozen Start Menu.