Windows Search Bar not working

Windows Search bar not working in Windows 10/11? Learn the top causes and step-by-step solutions — from restarting services to rebuilding the index and fixing system files.

Why the Windows search bar stops working

1. Windows Search service (WSearch) is stopped/disabled
2. Search process is stuck (SearchHost.exe / SearchApp.exe)
3. Index is corrupt or paused, or wrong folders are indexed
4. File Explorer glitch (search UI depends on Explorer)
5. Damaged system files (SFC/DISM needed)
6. Recent Windows update bug or pending updates
7. Policy/registry setting turned off web results (mostly Win10)
8. Third-party antivirus or “tweaker” disabled services
9. Corrupt user profile

Windows search bar troubleshooting step by step

1. Quick reset of Explorer & Search

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc → Task Manager.
• Processes tab → Windows Explorer → Restart.
• Details tab → right-click and End task on SearchHost.exe (Win11) or SearchApp.exe/SearchUI.exe (Win10). They will respawn automatically.

2. Make sure Windows Search service is running

1. Press Win + R → type services.msc → Enter.
2. Find Windows Search.
3. Startup type = Automatic (or Automatic (Delayed Start)).
4. If Stopped, click Start → Apply.

3. Run the built-in Search & Indexing troubleshooter

• Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters → Search and Indexing → Run.
• Tick symptoms (e.g., “Files don’t appear in results”) → Next.

4. Rebuild indexing windows

Option A (Control Panel):

• Control Panel → Indexing Options → Modify → ensure your user folders (and any data drives) are checked.
• Advanced → Rebuild → OK (indexing may take time; search improves as it builds).

Option B (Settings in Win11):

• Settings → Privacy & security → Searching Windows → under Find my files, choose Enhanced (if you want whole-PC search) → Indexer Troubleshooter → Rebuild.

5. Repair system files

Open Command Prompt (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin) and run, one by one:

sfc /scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Reboot after both finish.

6. Re-register Windows Search bar components

Open PowerShell (Admin) and run:

Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *Windows.Search* | Foreach {
  Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"
}

(If it says nothing found, that’s OK—skip.)

7. Update Windows or roll back a bad update

• Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates and install.
• If search broke right after a specific update: Windows Update → Update history → Uninstall updates and remove the recent culprit.

8. Reset index data (only if 1-7 step didn’t help)

1. Stop the service: run CMD (Admin) → net stop WSearch
2. Delete only index content (not the folder):
   • Go to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search\Data\Applications\Windows\
   • Delete everything inside the folder (you may need admin rights).
3. Start the service: net start WSearch
   The index will rebuild from scratch.

9. Check registry switches (mainly Windows 10 web results)

Skip if you don’t care about web/Bing results.

• Win + R → regedit.
• Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search.
• Set (or create DWORD 32-bit)
  • BingSearchEnabled = 1
  • CortanaConsent = 1
• Restart PC.

10. Side causes to rule out

• Antivirus/tweakers: Temporarily disable or revert service tweaks.
• New user profile: Create a new local user; if search works there, your old profile is corrupt (migrate data).
• Disk errors: Run chkdsk /scan in CMD (Admin).

Fast track (most people fixed by these)

1. Restart Explorer + end SearchHost.exe
2. Set Windows Search service to Automatic and start it
3. Rebuild index
4. Run SFC then DISM
5. Install pending Windows Updates

FAQ Section

1. Why is my Windows search bar not typing or responding?
This usually happens when the SearchHost.exe or SearchApp.exe process gets stuck, the Windows Search service is disabled, or indexing is corrupted. Restarting Explorer and the Search service often fixes it.

2. How do I restart the Windows Search service?
Press Win + R → services.msc → Enter → Find “Windows Search” → Set Startup Type to Automatic → Click Start.

3. How do I rebuild the search index in Windows?
Go to Control Panel → Indexing Options → Advanced → Rebuild. This resets search indexing to fix missing or slow results.

4. Can system file corruption affect Windows Search?
Yes. Damaged system files can break search functionality. Run sfc /scannow and DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restore Health in Command Prompt (Admin).

5. What if none of the search fixes work?
Try updating Windows, rolling back a recent update, or creating a new user profile. In rare cases, third-party antivirus tools can interfere with search.