8 Fixes if Search Bar Is Not Working on Windows 11

The search bar not working in windows 11 can be frustrating because it is a convenient and time-saving tool for finding files, applications, and settings.

Fortunately, there are several fixes you can try to get the search bar working properly again.

In this article, we will explore some common reasons why the search bar may not function correctly on Windows 11 and provide some simple solutions to help you get it working again.

Why can’t I use the search bar in Windows 11?

Some of the primary causes of this problem are listed below.

• Cortana settings: Cortana is Microsoft’s voice assistant, and its settings can sometimes affect the search bar’s functionality. If you have disabled Cortana or its permissions, the search bar may not work correctly.
• Corrupted system files: Sometimes, system files can become corrupted or damaged, preventing the search bar from functioning correctly.
• Outdated Windows updates: If you haven’t installed the latest Windows updates, your search bar may not work correctly, as some updates may contain bug fixes and patches.
• Issues with search index: If the search index is corrupted, incomplete, or outdated, the search bar may not work correctly.
• Windows Search service not running: If the Windows search service is not running or has been disabled, the search bar may not function correctly.

What should I do when Windows 11 Search bar is not working

1. Enable the search button in your taskbar

1. Right-click anywhere on the taskbar to open Taskbar settings and click on it.
   
2. In the Settings window, locate the Search option and enable the toggle.
   
3. Now try using your search bar to see if it works. If it doesn’t work, try the next step.

2. Use the search and indexing troubleshooter

1. Hold the Windows + I keys at the same time to open settings.
2. In the settings window, click on System and select Troubleshoot.
   
3. Choose Other troubleshooters.
   
4. Locate the Search and Indexing option and click Run.
   
5. Give Search and Indexing some time to detect the problem.
   
6. In the next window, select all the applicable options, especially Can’t start a search or see results and click Next.
   
7. In the next window, describe your problem in detail and select Next.
   
8. Select Try these repairs as an administrator to fix this problem.
   
9. Wait a few minutes for the program to resolve this problem.
   
10. After the troubleshooting is complete, this problem should automatically be fixed by the Search and Indexing troubleshooter.
    

3. Check for Windows update

1. Hold Windows + I simultaneously to open your system settings.
2. In the settings window, select Windows update on the left side and click Check for updates on the right.
   
3. If there are any available updates, install them.
   
4. Reboot your PC and check if this problem has been resolved.

4. Restart the Windows search service

1. Hold the Windows + R keys simultaneously to open the Run menu and input services.msc.
   
2. Scroll down, locate Windows Search, right-click, and choose Restart.
   
3. Give some time for Windows to restart the search service on your device and then check if the problem persists.

5. Enable the search history option and clear previous search history

1. Hold Windows + I simultaneously to open your system settings.
2. Click on the Privacy and security option and select Search permissions.
   
3. Enable the toggle under the Search history on this device option.
   
4. Click the Clear device search history option, restart your PC, and check if the problem has been fixed.
   

6. Modify the touch keyboard and handwriting panel service

1. Hold the Windows + R keys simultaneously to open the Run menu and input services.msc.
   
2. From the Services window, locate the Touch Keyboard and double-click on it.
   
3. Change the Startup type from Manual to Automatic in the General tab menu.
   
4. Click the Recovery tab, set the subsequent failures option to Restart the Service, and change the Reset fail count from 1 to 0.
   
5. Go back to the General tab and select the Start button.

7. Use the task manager option

1. Pres Ctrl + Alt + Delete simultaneously to go to the task manager.
2. Go to the Details tab, look for SearchIndex.exe, right-click, and select End task.
   
3. This process will immediately restart the search services. After which, you should check whether this solution resolves the issue.

8. Reset Windows 11

1. Hold Windows + I simultaneously to open your system settings.
2. Click on System and then select Reset PC.
   
3. Choose the Keep my files option to avoid losing your personal files.
   
4. We recommend choosing the Cloud download option in the next window because Local reinstallation will replicate the same search bug.
   
5. In the Additional settings page, select Next.
   
6. In the Recent update page, click Next.
   
7. Click Reset on the Ready to reset this PC page.
   
8. Allow your PC to reset and download available updates; this can take a while, depending on how fast your device is.
   
9. Your PC will automatically restart, which should fix the search bar problem.

We recommend trying all the other solutions before resetting your PC; this should be your last resort, as resetting your PC takes a long time, from several hours to a whole day, depending on how fast your device is.

The solutions outlined in this article will help you resolve the search bar not working in windows 11 issue.

Tell us in the comment section which solutions were most helpful to you.