How to fix window Search bar not working error in windows?

How to fix window Search bar not working error in windows?

Windows Search bar is a user-friendly tool as it helps users to find the applications, files, folders or programs instantly. However, some users of Windows 7/8/10 report about Windows search not working lately. If you come down to the search bar and type in whatever you’re searching for on your computer, and you don’t get any sort of results but a white box showing up in the upper part of the search bar then its time to take actions immediately.

The search bar in Start Menu has always been a crucial element for the Windows 7/8/10 users as they bring it into play in their daily tasks using the computer. A sudden disappearance of this conducive service may even feel like a catastrophe for some regular users. This may result in immobility and may bring you standstill as you can no longer find applications, files, or even more distressful, “control panel” to launch a troubleshooter. The whole thing may sound horrific to you, but you don’t have to be terror-stricken and get panicked as this issue can be fixed quite swiftly, and for this, you don’t have to use expensive programs.

While in some cases restarting the system might fix the issue, but the problem can be more entrenched and deeply rooted in the computer. Search problems are as common as freezing of your system, so take it easy as it is not a very serious issue to be worried about. So let’s go ahead and take a look at some of the steps we can try to fix and resolve this problem.

Method 1: Restart your computer/device

Sometimes restarting your system can work like a wonder and it may be the root cause of the problem. This method is always seen as a basic approach for all the windows error. It is always advised to restart the system rather than shut down.

If you haven’t restarted your system to check if the issue is resolved, do it straight away before you continue with the following steps, this is especially for those who frequently let the system hibernate rather than shutting it off when not operating. Restarting your system is the best inception you can make. There are many temporary issues and a simple restart of the computer can put things back together in the right place. Follow these steps to do so:

• Open your start menu by pressing the Windows logo key on your keyboard using the Windows icon.

• Now click on the power icon.

• Then click restart.

If this method doesn’t work, you need to consider the following methods.

Method 2: Modify/Restart Windows Search service

Occasionally restarting the Windows Search service fixes the issue and gets the thing working normally again.

Step 1: Press the Windows logo key and R to open the Run dialog box.

Step 2: Then type services.msc in the search box and press Enter key.

Step 3: Now press ‘w’ key to find Windows Search option quickly, and then right-click on it and choose Properties.

Step 4: Set the Startup type to Automatic.

Step 5: Then click OK to save the change and exit.

Step 6: Restart your system after this.

Check if the issue is resolved.

Method 3: Run the built-in troubleshooter of your system

In this part, we will look upon and introduce another method to resolve the issue of Windows Search not working, which primarily focuses on running the Search and Index Troubleshooter. Begin with the given instructions and follow these methods sequentially.

Step 1: Press the Windows key and R key in one accord to open the Run dialog box.

Step 2:Type Control Panel in the box and press Enter to continue.

Step 2: Next, click on Troubleshooting to continue.

Step 3: Now, click View all in the left window to proceed.

Step 4: Again click on Search and Indexing.

Step 5: In the popup window click Next to proceed and the Troubleshooter will run.

Step 6: Tick-mark the relevant checkbox or boxes for the appropriate troubleshooting process. Then click Next to continue.

Step 7: Now, Troubleshooter will identify the problems and strive to fix them. When the troubleshooting process is completed you can reboot your system and try to check if the issue ‘Windows search not working’ is solved.

Hopefully with a reboot that will resolve your problem, if it doesn’t then you can continue to read the other methods for more helpful tips to fix and resolve the issue.

Method 4: Turn Cortana off and on again.

Cortana is a virtual assistant created by Microsoft that comes integrated into Windows 10 system. Since Cortana is so much interlinked with Windows 10’s search feature, turning it off and on again can hit the jackpot and fix the Windows file search problem.

Follow these steps to resolve the issue. If it is a trivial runtime error, Cortana would just take a restart to fix it.

Step1: ) Right-click the taskbar at the bottom of your system and click on Task Manager.

Step2: When the Task Manager window shows up, make sure you are viewing the expanded options and click on the Processes tab.

Step3: Click on More Details if your Task Manager looks meagrely detailed.

Step4: Now Sort down the processes by Name by selecting the suitable tab.

Step5: Scroll through the list until you come across the Cortana process.

Step6: Right-click on Cortana, and choose End task from the menu that appears.

The Cortana process restarts on its own after it’s been turned off by the user so there is nothing much to be worried about. Now try to use the search bar again and check if it works.

Method 5: Use Powershell commands

You can try executing various commands using Powershell to resolve the issue. You just have to copy and paste these commands and follow the steps given below:

Step 1: Right-click on Windows icon you see in the taskbar. Then choose Windows Powershell (Admin).

Step 2: Now click Yes in the User Account Control (UAC) window.

Step 3: Write down the mentioned line (PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted)and press the Enter key.

Step 4: Now again you have to copy and paste the second command

$manifest = (Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.WindowsStore).InstallLocation + ‘\AppxManifest.xml’ ; Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $manifest

Step 5: Hit the Enter button, and wait for the command to carry out its activities.

Step 6: Restart your system and verify if the Windows Search bar is working properly.

Method 6: Uninstalling the anti-virus software

Last but not least, In some circumstances, third-party anti-malware or anti-virus software can disturb and psych-out certain Windows programs. Windows search not working properly on Windows may probably be a result of the discrepancy created by the security programs previously installed on your system. You can temporarily uninstall your anti-malware or anti-virus to see if this fixes the issue.

If none of the earlier advice aided you to get your Windows 10 search bar operating again and fixes the problem, our most useful recommendations are to opt for a full Windows reset.

Reference:

1. https://www.minitool.com/backup-tips/windows-search-not- working.html

2.https://geeksadvice.com/fix-windows-search-not-working/

3.https://www.androidauthority.com/windows-10-search-not-working-fix- 1011467/