Windows Search is one of the easiest ways to access anything on your box with a few clicks.
We use Windows Search to access different features, open applications instantly, and much more.
They are unable to punch in anything in the Search Bar.
Some also said that Search Bar doesnt respond even after clicking multiple times.
What Causes Windows 11 Search Bar Not Working/Showing?
There could be different reasons behind Windows Serch Bar not working issue.
Yet, according to our research, the listed ones are expected to be the leading causes of it.
In most cases, restarting the PC resolves the issue.
Hence, there are high possibilities that it would work for you too.
Enable Windows Search From configs
1.
3.Scroll down and openTaskbarsettings.
4.Ensure that theSearchfeatureis enabled under theTaskbar itemssection.
Use the Windows Search Troubleshooter
Windows has a built-in troubleshooter for every system component, including Windows Search Bar.
It allows to scan and resolve all the Windows Search related problems in a few steps.
you’re able to also use the Windows Search Troubleshooter to fix all the issues.
1.PressWin + I toopen theSystem options.
2.Scroll-down and head to theTroubleshootsettings.
3.Then, click onOther troubleshooters.
4.Search forSearch and Indexingin theOther section.
5.Click onRunto open theSearch and Indexing troubleshooter.
6.Now, tickCant start a search or see results checkbox from the given options.
7.Then, clickNextto proceed further.
8.On the next screen, selectTry troubleshooting as an administrator.
9.Again,selectCant start a search or see resultsand clickNext.
10.Wait a while to let the troubleshooter scan and fix the issues.
Many Windows 11 users reported that their Windows Search started working correctly after clearing the rig search history.
you might also try the same and see if it solves the issue.
Below are the steps to clear rig search history in Windows 11.
1.PressWin + I toopenSettings.
2.Head toPrivacy & Securityfrom the left navigation sidebar.
4.hit theClear rig search historyoption on the next screen.
5.once you nail cleared the search history,rebootthe system.
Restart Windows File Explorer
1.Press theWindowskey.
2.TypeTask Managerin theSearch Barandopen it.
3.Search forWindows Explorerin theProcessestab.
4.Right-click onWindows Explorerand selectRestart.
Now, check whether the search bar is now working or not.
Fortunately, Windows lets you restart Windows Explorer from the Task Manager.
you could check the mentioned steps to restart Windows Search Bar from the Task Manager.
1.PressCtrl + Shift + Escto open theTask Managerwindow.
2.Then, move to theDetailstab.
3.Right-tap on theSearchHost.exe processand selectEnd Task.
4.Then, click onEnd Process.
Restart Windows Search Service
Windows Search Bar entirely depends on the Windows Search Service.
Many users reported that their Windows Search Service wasnt working correctly, causing the issue.
They also added that restarting the service eliminated the issue for them.
it’s possible for you to also do the same by following the below-mentioned steps.
1.PressWin + Rto openRun.
3.Search forWindows Searchservice in the list of services.
5.Once the popup opens, hit theStop button.
6.Now, press theStart button.
7.Lastly, click onOK.
You might be facing the issue because of a malfunctioned SearchUI.exe process.
In this case, you might try restarting SearchUI.exe with the help of below steps.
1.PressCtrl + Shift + Escto openTask Manager.
3.Right-press theSearchUI.exe processand selectEnd Task.
4.Then, click onRestart.
5.Now, search forSearchApp.exeand restart using the same steps.
In addition, this solution is recommended by Microsofts technical team.
So, it will likely have more chances to work and fix the problem.
you’ve got the option to reset the Windows Search by executing a PowerShell script.
1.DownloadResetWindowsSearchBox.ps1script and save it on your setup.
Right-tap on theResetWindowsSearchBox.ps1 and selectRun with Powershell.
3.Click onYesif a popup asks ifyou want to allow this app to make changes to your rig?
4.Wait a while to let the system reset the Windows Search feature.
5.kill the Terminal app when you see a completion message.
Run DISM and SFC Scan
Sometimes Windows Search Bar files get corrupted and stop working.
you’re able to execute DISM and SFC scans to fix all corrupted system files in this case.
DISM scan checks for system file integrity and fixes issues in them.
you might follow the below-mentioned steps to run SFC and DISM scan.
1.PressWindows + Xand selectTerminal (Admin)from the menu.
3.Execute the mentioned command in the Terminal app:DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealthand press theEnterkey.
4.Wait a while for the system to restore the ISO image health.
5.At the end,rebootthe PC.
1.Re-open theTerminal appand execute the mentioned command:SFC /scannow
2.Wait a few minutes to let the scan complete.
3.In the end, restart the PC.
Run CTF Loader
CTF, better known as Collaborative Translation Framework Loader is a Windows essential function.
It helps in providing text support for handwriting and speech recognition.
CTF Loader also plays a vital role in the proper functioning of the Windows Search feature.
Sometimes the CTF Loader process doesnt start automatically and causes issues.
you oughta load the program to storage and start it manually.
It can be done by simply running a command.
you could follow the below-mentioned steps to restart CTF Loader.
1.PressWin + Rto open theRun program.
2.TypeC:\Windows\System32\ctfmon.exeand pressEnter.
PressWin + Rand typeregeditin the Search Box.
Navigate to the mentioned location:HKEY_CURRENT_USER > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > Search.
3.Right-choose the blank space, clickNew,and selectDWORD (32-bit) Value.
5.Now, setValue Datato0.
6.Once done, click onOK.
7.Search for aCortanaConsent entryin the list.
If the entry doesnt exist, create a new entry named CortanaConsent, following the same above-mentioned steps.
1.PressWin + R, typeservices.msc,and pressEnter.
2.Search forTouch Keyboard and Handwriting servicein the services list.
3.Right-choose theTouch KeyboardandHandwriting serviceand selectProperties.
4.SelectStartup TypetoAutomaticunder theGeneral tab.
5.Head to theRecovery tab.
7.Then, setReset fail count afterto1.
8.In the end, click onOK.
Rebuild the Windows Search Index
Sometimes, tweaking Windows Search prefs doesnt work.
If this is the same case with you, we will recommend rebuilding the entire Windows Search Index.
2.Head toPrivacy & Securitysettings from the left navigation pane.
3.Click onSearchingWindowsunder theWindows permissionssection.
4.Scroll down and selectAdvanced indexingoptionsunder theRelated configs.
5.On the next screen, click onAdvanced.
6.Head to theIndex prefs,and choose theRebuild buttonunder theTroubleshooting section.
The system will now start rebuilding the Search Indexing.
It will take some time to rebuild the entire Search.
1.PressWin + Ito open theWindows Settingsapp.
2.Head to theWindows Updatesection from the sidebar.
3.Open theUpdate historysection to see all the recently installed updates.
4.Scroll down and clickUninstall updates.
5.Click onUninstallnext to the update, which you think might be the cause of this issue.
6.Lastly,restartthe PC.
Reset Windows
If none of the above-mentioned methods work, resetting the PC will indeed address the issue.
you might follow the below-mentioned steps to reset your Windows 11 PC.
3.hit theReset PCbutton under theRecovery optionssection.
you could now check whether your taskbar or missing icons are now properly visible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Turn On the Search Bar in Windows 11?
Open theSettings appon your Windows 11 system.
Head to thePersonalization settingsfrom the left-navigation menu.
Scroll down and head to theTaskbar controls.ClickTaskbar itemsunder theTaskbar settingsto modify the taskbar icons.
Look forSearchin the option and enable it.
How Do I Fix Windows Cannot initiate the Search Bar?
it’s possible for you to reset the Windows Search Bar using PowerShell.
Why Is Search Not Working Windows 11?
There could be several reasons behind the improper functioning of the Windows Search Bar.
One of the main causes of this issue is the non-functioning of the taskbar.
If there is an issue with your Windows Taskbar, then Windows Search Bar will automatically start creating problems.
Cant throw in in Windows Search Bar?
you could simply restart Cortona from the Task Manager.
How Do I Reset Windows Search Bar?
it’s crucial that you first download theResetWindowsSearchBox.ps1PowerShell script and save it in your local storage.
Right-tap on the downloaded PowerShell script and selectRunwith PowerShell.
It will now automatically execute the command and reset the Windows Search Bar.
