How to Fix Windows 10 Search not Working Issue

So, your Windows 10 search doesn’t work, does it? Whenever you type something into the search bar, no results get displayed.

Fix Windows 10 Search not Working Issue

The Windows Start Menu search is straightforward, with no tiles and Cortana’s impeding you from examining your PC for the files you need. Unfortunately, things got somewhat chaotic in Windows 10. However, recent updates have expelled problematic features like Cortana from procedures, and the May 2019 update patched up the pursuit interface, causing your inquiries to feel more nitty-gritty and granular.

With Cortana off the beaten path, the Start menu search is more steady and less enlarged. It can now and then quit working, so we’re here to give a few pointers on the best way to fix it.

Is it your issue? Maybe, your issue is not with the file explorer but the taskbar. As you type something into the taskbar search tab, you get nothing in return.

I know you are frustrated. That’s why I have come up with a fix to this search not working issue on Windows 10.

For what reason is Windows 10 Search Not working?

Updating to the latest variant of Windows can once in a while cause an issue with Search. Also, sometimes, Cortana, the smart colleague that forces quite a bit of Windows’ hunt functionality, can bug out, messing up the whole search tool.

You can wind up confronting poor search items or perhaps a clear results page altogether, making Windows’ search apparatus repetitive.

After every one of the accompanying recommendations, endeavor to look once more. If it, despite everything, doesn’t work, proceed onward to the following tip.
Attempt these arrangements here to fix your Search not working issue in your Windows 10!

If you’re having issues utilizing Cortana or Search on Windows 10, we have here some compelling techniques that will assist you with fixing this issue.

Note that not all Windows 10 clients have this issue, and the specific reason stays hazy. Thus, there is not a general solution for it.

Solve Windows 10 Search not Working Problem

I have got multiple solutions to this problem. You can try them out one by one. So without further ado, let’s get started.

Solution 1: Restart the Explorer

The simple thing you can do at first is restarting the file explorer. Follow the steps given below to do so.

Method 1

Step 1: First, you should open the task manager. Hit Ctrl+ Shift+ Esc simultaneously.

Windows Explorer in Windows 10 Task Manager

Step 2: Have a look under Apps on the Processes tab. Can you see Windows Explorer there? In case you don’t see it there, click details and hit e. You will land on Explorer.

Restart Windows Explorer In Windows 10 Task Manager

Step 3: If you get Windows Explorer from Processes tab, right-click on it and choose Restart.

Method 2

Under the details tab, you should go through a couple of steps to restart the explorer. First, right-click on it and hit End task. A pop-up window will come asking you if you want to end explorer.exe. Just click on the “end process” button there.

End Windows Explorer Task On Windows 10

Then, go to File>> New task. Enter explorer.exe into the field that pops up. There you go!

start explorer.exe on windows 10

What if you still get the issue?

Solution 2: Rebuild Index or Add New Directories

Most of the time, Windows 10 search, not working issues arises from corrupted indexing. However, you can get it over with after rebuilding or adding new directories.

First, try rebuilding the index.

Step 1: Hit Win key+ X to get a context menu on the start button. Choose Control panel from there.

opening control panel from windows 10 context menu

Step 2: Search for ‘Indexing options’ there. Don’t hesitate to go with the first result you see.

Indexing options

Step 3: On the Indexing Options dialogue box, you can see a button labeled as Advanced. Hit on it.

Windows 10 Indexing Options

Step 4: Have a look under Troubleshooting. You can see another button labeled Rebuild right next to Delete and rebuild the index.

Rebuild Windows 10 Index

Click on it.

Step 5: At this step, you can see a confirmation. Choose OK.

There you go! In case this doesn’t work, you have to include the directories, where your target files reside in, for indexing.

Follow the first two steps from the above process. And, then choose Modify from the Indexing Options. You can add or remove locations from the screen that comes up next.

When you are done with it, click OK until you close every wizard.

Sometimes, indexing tweaks don’t work. So, you have to make sure the folders (where your target files are saved) have been configured with system permission.

Solution 3: Provide System Permission

Step 1: Go to the folder where you want to search. Then, right-click on it and choose Properties (alternatively, you can go with Alt+ Enter as well).

Provide System Permission

Step 2: You will get multiple tabs here. Navigate to Security.

Step 3: If you don’t see System under Group or user names, hit Edit button and then Add.

Step 4: Type system into the text field, click Check names, and finally hit OK.

I have given you multiple ways to solve Windows 10 search not working issue. Don’t forget to share this tutorial on social media.

Fixing Search by installing update

If you haven’t updated Windows 10 for some time, maybe the most recent update may incorporate a fix for Windows Search. To update Windows 10 to the most recent release, use these means:

  • Open Settings.
  • Click the Update and Security.
  • Snap-on Windows Update.
  • Click the Check for updates button.
  • Windows Update
  • Snap the Restart presently button.

After you complete the means, the most recent support update should resolve any inquiry issues on your PC.

You can also check other interesting articles you might like on Download BlueStacks for PC Windows 7/8/10/8.1/XP Laptop , BlueStacks Alternatives: 6 Best Free Android Emulators

Fixing Search removing the update

Even though Microsoft endeavors to discharge updates to improve the general understanding of Windows 10, some of the time, a surrey update may do its direction onto gadgets breaking highlights, for example, Search. Therefore, if you presume that an ongoing update is an explanation that Windows search is broken, at that point, utilize these means to evacuate it:

  • Open Settings.
  • Snap-on Update and Security.
  • Snap-on Windows Update.
  • Snap the View update history alternative.
  • Windows Update history choice
  • Source: Windows Central
  • Snap the Uninstall refreshes choice.
  • Uninstall refreshes choice
  • Source: Windows Central
  • Select the most recent update installed on your PC.
  • Snap the Uninstall button.
  • Uninstall Windows 10 updates
  • Source: Windows Central
  • Snap the Yes button.
  • Restart the gadget.

When you complete the means, the hazardous update will be expelled from Windows 10, fixing any search issues, and a similar update shouldn’t download and install consequently until the organization releases a subsequent release.

Windows search fix services

To re-enable it, or if nothing else, affirm it’s despite everything running: Press Windows key+R to raise the Run window, then type “Services.msc” before you press Enter.

When the Services window shows up, look down the list of services to discover Windows Search. If it’s currently running, right-click it or tap and hold. At that point, select Restart. On the other hand, if it’s disabled or has a clear Status, right-snap or tap and maintain, choose Start. If this fixed the issue, you’d need to ensure the service will automatically run when Windows begins. To do as such:

  • Right-click it again or tap and hold, then select Properties.
  • From the General tab, select the drop-down menu by Startup type.
  • Select Automatic.

Step by step instructions to fix Search using the Windows Update

On Windows 10, quality updates can incorporate fixes for the search usefulness. However, they can likewise be the explanation behind the component to break.

FAQ

How to fix Windows 10 search bar not working?
Here are the recommended methods to solve your problem with Windows Search bar not working:

1. Restart the Explorer
2. Rebuild Index or Add New Directories
3. Provide System Permission
4. Fixing Search by installing an update
5. Fixing Search removing the update

Why is my Windows 10 search bar not working?

Updating to the latest variant of Windows can once in a while cause an issue with Search. Sometimes Cortana, the smart colleague that forces quite a bit of Windows’ hunt functionality, can bug out, messing up the whole search tool. You can wind up confronting poor search items, or perhaps a clear results page altogether, making Windows’ search apparatus repetitive.

What to do if Windows 10 search bar is not working?

On Windows 10, quality updates can incorporate fixes for the search usefulness. However, they can likewise be the explanation behind the component to break.

Conclusion

Windows 10 Search bar problem has a various solution you can try and is not impossible to solve the search box issue/error. However, you must ensure that the Search service is running. Users can check the troubleshooter first. It’s continuously conceivable the Windows Search service itself has been disabled for an unknown reason. I hope this article gave you some guide. Ask us about the menu search function, troubleshooter button, built-In Troubleshooter, Search Settings, Search Indexer Settings, problematic update, feature updates, search indexing options, search functionality, search troubleshooter, advanced option, search results option, reset process, search feature, update & security or anything from the article in the comment box.

1 thought on “How to Fix Windows 10 Search not Working Issue”

  1. You realize that your instructions in “solution 2” to fixing Search on Windows 10 not working is to use search to find a file? So the only way to finish this is to use the very thing that is not working? Wow, just wow. Could you perhaps state the location for the Indexing Options file, since anyone using this guide would be unable to search for it?

    Reply

Leave a Comment