How to Fix Windows 10 Search Not Working

It would be really troublesome if suddenly the Windows search stops working on your computer, well most of the reports are from Windows 10 users who have been complaining about their Windows 10 search not working. It’s not something regarding Windows that has been reported for the first time, there have been many reports of the Windows search bar creating problems for users and for almost every time Windows has taken notice of this and has helped users by suggesting various troubleshoots.

Windows is something which has been another name of the computer machine around the globe. Just a temporary glitch could cause damage of greater intensity. Users are reporting that to retort this they have to forcibly use the usual longer path to access many of the files and other stuff on their computers. This is something that takes time and causes fluctuations in the quick stances for many operations.

I have conducted extensive research on this have involved myself in many social platform discussions and have reached out to Windows also. This guide I believe will help you to fix the search issue of Windows and then you can access your machines as desired. The simple fixes or troubleshoots have been mentioned in simple steps for you to understand and apply instantly. 

Troubleshoots For Windows 10 Search Not Working

Technology as I always say is never going to be bug-free anytime soon. Technology and glitches always come hand in hand, and to know some basic to advanced troubleshooting is always advised so that you don’t get stuck in the middle of some important task. If you aren’t yet, worry not I will help you to learn some quick fixes, hope you will find them helpful;

1. Windows Font Cache Service

Windows suggests that we can many times resolve Windows Search issues by a simple restart to Windows Font Cache Service. Understand the process below in simple steps:

1. In the search box on the taskbar, enter services.msc to open the Services console.
2. In the right pane, right-click Windows Font Cache Service, and then select Stop.
3. Try to search again.
4. In the Services console, right-click Windows Font Cache Service, and then select Start.

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2. Run The Search And Indexing Troubleshooter

Windows always indexes content automatically to deliver faster search results. If you’re running Windows 10, version 1903 (May 2019 Update) or a later version, and if Windows detects a problem, Windows will then automatically run the Search troubleshooter. This troubleshooter resets Windows Search to the default experience. To view your troubleshooter history, select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > View History.

Try using the Windows Search and Indexing troubleshooter to fix any problems that might arise. Follow these steps to use the troubleshooter,

1. Open a Command Prompt window, and then run the following command:

msdt.exe -ep WindowsHelp id SearchDiagnostic

2. Run the troubleshooter and select any problems that apply. Windows will then try to detect and solve those problems.

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3. Restart Windows Search

Follow the below mentioned simple steps to end the SearchUI process. Stopping this process will stop Windows Search. The next time that you search, Windows Search will automatically start.

1. Select Ctrl+Alt+Delete, and then select Task Manager.
2. In Task Manager, select Details.
3. In the Name column, right-click SearchUI.exe, and then select End task.
4. When you’re prompted to end SearchUI.exe, select End process.

4. Reset Windows Search

You can also try to reset Windows Search by using the method that’s appropriate for the version of Windows you are using. To know which version of Windows your device is running, follow these steps:

1. Select Start > Settings > System > About.
2. Under Windows specifications, check which version of Windows your device is running.

5. Reset Windows Search when using Windows 10, version 1809 or an earlier version

If your computer is running on Windows 10 October 2018 Update or an earlier update, follow these steps to reset Windows Search by resetting Cortana:

1. Select Start, right-click Cortana, and then select More > App settings.
2. In the Cortana settings, select Reset.

6. Reset Windows Search when using Windows 11, Windows 10, version 1903, or a later version

If your computer is running on Windows 11, Windows 10 May 2019 Update, or a later update, you can then use a Windows PowerShell script to reset Windows Search.

To reset Windows Search by using PowerShell, follow these steps:

1. Firstly you will have to check the Windows PowerShell execution policy on the affected computer. To allow the script to run, the execution policy must be set to Unrestricted.
   1. To check the execution policy, open an elevated PowerShell window, and then run the following cmdlet:

Get-ExecutionPolicy

2. If the execution policy is Unrestricted, go to step 2. Otherwise, record the value for later use. Then, run the following cmdlet:
3. Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted
4. After the policy change finishes, close the PowerShell window.

2. Download ResetWindowsSearchBox.ps1 from Reset Windows Search PowerShell script, and save it to a local folder.
3. Right-click the file that you saved, and then select Run with PowerShell.
4. Select Yes, If you’re asked the following question.
   Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?

The PowerShell script will then reset the Windows Search feature.

5. When Done appears on your screen, do one of the following:
   1. If you didn’t change the execution policy to run the script, close the PowerShell window.
   2. If you changed the execution policy, keep the PowerShell window open and select any key to continue. Run the following command in the PowerShell window:

Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser -ExecutionPolicy <PreviousValue>

In this command, <PreviousValue> represents the original execution policy. As you did previously, accept the policy change by selecting Y and then selecting Enter.

6. Close the PowerShell Window.

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7. Regenerate The Microsoft.Windows.Search Package AppData Folder

1. Ensure that Windows Search works for a newly created Windows account.
2. Delete the %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy folder.
3. While you’re signed in by using the affected account, start Registry Editor, and then navigate to the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search subkey.
4. Delete the Search registry key.
5. Open an elevated PowerShell Window, and then run the following cmdlet:

Add-AppxPackage -Path “C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy\Appxmanifest.xml” -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register

6. Restart the computer.
7. Try to search again. This action will restart search indexing and regenerate the registry key and the AppData folder.

7. Check The Internet Connection

Check your internet connection and how stable and strong it is. Windows search bar will keep on loading if your internet connection is unstable or sluggish.

• Check your wi-fi, try turning it off, and then turn it on again.
• Try to switch to LAN if you are using wi-fi and vice versa. 
• Try resetting, switch to Airplane mode for a few seconds, and then turn it off: Locate the airplane key  on your keyboard, pressing it once will turn the airplane mode on and pressing it for the second time 

8. Restarting Your Computer

Giving a quick restart could solve many such issues. There are several ways to restart your computer which depends upon your operating system.

Using the Start Menu (Windows 11, 10, 8)

1. Click the Start button (the Windows logo in the taskbar).
2. Click the power icon in the Start menu.
3. Select “Restart” from the menu.
   

Using the Ctrl+Alt+Del Shortcut (All Windows versions)

1. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del on your keyboard simultaneously.
2. Click the power icon in the bottom right corner of the screen.
3. Select “Restart” from the menu.

Using the Power User Menu (Windows 11, 10)

1. Press the Windows key (the key with the Windows logo) and X on your keyboard simultaneously.
2. Alternatively, right-click on the Start button.
3. Select “Shut down or sign out” from the menu.
4. Choose “Restart”.

9. Updating Windows 

Check for any updates due in the settings and ensure you’re using the latest OS to avoid any software glitches. Your computer must be plugged into a power source and is connected to the internet before you run the updates.

Don’t turn off your computer while updates are being installed.

1. Click the Start menu (the Windows logo in the taskbar).
2. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
3. Click Check for updates. Windows will search for available updates and display them on the screen.
4. You can choose to Download and install updates automatically or review them first.
5. Once downloaded, Windows will prompt you to restart your computer to complete the installation.

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10. Force Reboot

If your machine is frozen then you shall only apply this and remember that this might cause data loss if you have unsaved files open. Understand below how to reboot a computer;

1. Hold down the power button on your computer for at least 7 seconds. This should forcefully turn off your computer.
2. Wait a few seconds before pressing the power button again to turn it back on.

11. VPN Disable

If you have any VPN app installed, try removing it and check if Windows search is working fine. Understand the steps mentioned below;

1. Go to Settings.
2. Click on Network & Internet.
3. Select VPN from the menu on the left side.
4. Find the VPN connection you want to disable.
5. Click on Disconnect.

12. Contact Windows Customer Support

The last option after you have tried many of the troubleshooting problems is to reach out to Windows support and let them know. Contact them immediately and brief them about your issue and problems you are facing and since when, if you mention them about the troubleshoot you have undertaken it will be good. Understand and seek guidelines.

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Conclusion

While we work for more than 8 hours a day on our computers, a fluctuation of even some minutes on our search options like this could impact the output largely. Moreover, it’s something to that we have become used to, it holds our DNA and we cannot imagine our computers without it, many of the temporary glitches we can always remove but the ones that are recurring and clingy require some external assistance. Hope this guide has helped you to search on your Windows 10 again.

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