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Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team
In this guide, you will learn how to Fix / Troubleshoot Windows 11 search feature not working
Is the Windows Search function not working after the windows 11 update? A number of users report similar problems, can’t type into Windows 11 search bar or search results aren’t showing up in the list. So why is windows search not working? The latest Windows 11 is still in its infancy so the bug may disable the search function or not allow you to type anything at all. Here this guide will show you how to fix Windows 11 Search not working issue with various options.
When Windows search not working the first thing, you must try to restart your computer. This will clear temporary glitches that may be causing the search function not to work properly
If you don’t find the ‘Search’ button you should check the taskbar settings and how to enable it, follow the steps below
1. Right-click on the ‘Start’ icon in the Taskbar and select ‘Settings’ from the list
2. Next, select ‘Personalization’ settings from the tabs listed on the left, and then scroll down on the right and click on ‘Taskbar’
3. Now, check if the toggle next to ‘Search’ is enabled. In case it isn’t, click on the toggle to enable it
When you have problems with the search function, follow the steps below to restart the Windows Search Service and can help you in fixing Windows 11 Search not working issue
1. Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, and click Ok
2. This will open the windows service console scroll down and locate the windows search service, right-click on it select restart from the context menu
3. In addition double click on windows search to open its properties, change the startup type automatic
Windows search relies on searchhost.exe process to function properly. Let’s restart the task and check if this helps fix the windows 11 search not working problem
1. Open task manager using ctrl + shift + Esc shortcut key
2. Move to the Details tab, scroll down and locate SearchHost.exe process. Right-click on it select end task from the context menu
3. Restart your computer it will automatically start the process in the background and check the search function working properly or not
Microsoft also offers a built-in search troubleshooter and running that automatically detects and fixes search problems on windows 11, follow the steps below on how to use it
1. Open settings app using windows key + I
2. Go to System then Troubleshoot menu, Other troubleshooters†section
3. Scroll down and Run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter and Let Windows fix the search and indexing issue for you
4. It will take a few minutes for the troubleshooter to initialize and will prompt to select the problem
The Search and Indexing Troubleshooter will ask you to select the problems you’re running into. The Troubleshooter lists 5 options:
5. You need to select the options based on the problem you encounter. Then Click Next. The Search and Indexing Troubleshooter will try to find and resolve the problem for you
1. Press Windows key + X select settings then go to privacy & security
2. Scroll down to Search permissions
3. Select Clear device search history and you are good to go
From the same menu, you can disable Search history on this device toggle as well
Windows 11’s SafeSearch function might be interfering and prevent search results from being displayed
1. Open the Settings app on Windows 11 (use Windows+I keys)
2. Go to Privacy & security and open Search permissions
3. The SafeSearch is set at Moderate. You can turn it off from the same menu
Microsoft regularly releases Windows updates to fix small issues with the system. Installing the latest windows update may have a bug fix for the problem. let’s update the OS to the latest version from the Settings App follow the steps below
Maybe the search issues are caused by a bug in the current build, and Microsoft has fixed this issue by releasing a Windows update
1. Go to the Windows Settings app
2. Select Windows Update and install the latest Windows 11 build on the computer
3. If there is an update, please download and install it
4. Restart the computer after completion and check whether the Windows Search problem has been resolved
If there is a problem with your search function, rebuild Search Index can help solve the problem of Windows 11 Search not working, follow the steps below on how to do it
1. Press Windows key + R, type control.exe srchadmin.dll, and click Ok
2. At the bottom of the Indexing Options window, select Advanced
3. Click Rebuild button under Troubleshooting
4. Click OK and confirm the “Rebuild Index†box
5. It will take some time to complete the process, depending on the amount of data stored on the system
6. Once the rebuild process is done, Perform a search task and see if this issue persists
This issue may occur because some important system files are corrupted. If all the above methods fail to fix the windows search problem run the DISM restore health command and system file checker utility. That helps scan and restore missing system files on your computer follow the steps below
1. Open command prompt as administrator, type command DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press enter key
2. Let the scanning process complete 100%, once done run the sfc utility command sfc /scannow
3. This will scan for corrupted missing system files and if found any the sfc utility try to replace them with the correct one
4. Let the scanning process complete 100% once done reboot your PC
5. Check if the Windows search issues persist after the SFC command is executed
Did the above solutions help fix the windows 11 search not working or lagging issue if not Reinstall Windows 11 or refer to OEM
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