Windows 11 Search Not Working
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 working properly.
1 Windows 11 Search Not Working1.1 Restart Windows Search Service1.2 Reset Windows 11 search1.3 Run Windows 11 Search Troubleshooter1.4 Clear Device Search History1.5 Disable SafeSearch1.6 Update Windows 111.7 Rebuild Windows 11 Search Index1.8 Run System File Checker and DISM tool
To do so right-click the Start button and select Shutdown or sign out > Restart.
If you don’t find the ‘Search’ button you should check the taskbar settings and enable it.
Right-click on the ‘Start’ icon in the Taskbar and select ‘Settings’ from the list.Next, select ‘Personalization’ settings from the tabs listed on the left, and then scroll down on the right and click on ‘Taskbar’.Now, check if the toggle next to ‘Search’ is enabled. In case it isn’t, click on the toggle to enable it.
Restart Windows Search Service
when you have problems with the search function, Restart the Windows Search Service and check that can help you in fixing Windows 11 Search not working issue
Press Windows key + R, type services.msc and click okThis will open the windows service console scroll down and locate the windows search service, right-click on it select restart from the context menu.In addition double click on windows search to open its properties, change the startup type automatic
Reset Windows 11 search
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.
Open task manager using ctrl + shift + Esc shortcut key,Move to the Details tab, scroll down and locate SearchHost.exe process. Right-click on it select end task from the context menuRestart your computer it will automatically start the process in the background and check the search function working properly or not.
Run Windows 11 Search Troubleshooter
Microsoft also offers build in search troubleshooter and running that automatically detects and fixes search problems on windows 11.
Open settings app using windows key + IGo to System then Troubleshoot menu, Other troubleshooters” section.Scroll down and Run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter and Let Windows fix the search and indexing issue for you.It will take 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: – Can’t start a search or see results;– Files, folders, apps or settings don’t appear in results;– Outlook search doesn’t return results; Search or indexing is slow;– My problem isn’t listed above. 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.
Clear Device Search History
Windows 11 save search queries to deliver better search results But sometimes it may lead to Windows 11 search not working issue on your computer. Clear Windows 11 search history from the Settings menu following steps below that help fix the issue.
Press Windows key + X select settings then go to privacy & securityScroll down to Search permissions.Select Clear device search history and you are good to go.
Pro tip – From the same menu, you can disable Search history on this device toggle as well.
Disable SafeSearch
Windows 11’s SafeSearch function might be interfering and prevent search results from display.
Open the Settings app on Windows 11 (use Windows+I keys).Go to Privacy & security and open Search permissions.The SafeSearch is set at Moderate. You can turn it off from the same menu.
Update Windows 11
Microsoft regularly releases Windows updates to fix small issues with the system. Installing the latest windows update may have bug fix for the problem. let’s update the OS to the latest version from the Settings app. Maybe the search issues are caused by a bug in the current build, and Microsoft has fixed this issue by releasing a Windows update.
Go to the Windows Settings app.Select Windows Update and install the latest Windows 11 build on the computer.If there is an update, please download and install it.Restart the computer after completion and check whether the Windows Search problem has been resolved.
Rebuild Windows 11 Search Index
If there is a problem with your search function, rebuild Search Index can help solve the problem of Windows 11 Search not working.
Press Windows key + R, type control.exe srchadmin.dll and click okAt the bottom of the Indexing Options window, select Advanced.Click Rebuild button under Troubleshooting.Click OK and confirm the “Rebuild Index” box.It will take some time to complete the process, depending on the amount of data stored on the system.
Once the rebuild process is done, Perform a search task and see if this issue persists.
Run System File Checker and DISM tool
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.
Open command prompt as administrator, type command DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press enter key,Let the scanning process complete 100%, once done run the sfc utility command sfc /scannow This will scan for corrupted missing system files and if found any the sfc utility try to replace them with the correct one.Let the scanning process complete 100% once done reboot your PC.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 yes let us know which one works for you in the comments below. Also read
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