Solved Windows 11 search bar not working

Maybe it's a third-party application causing the problem, perform clean boot state.

antspants said:

Don't give up, you need the search function.
You should get an email when someone replies to this thread. It can be fixed, almost everything can be fixed, nedi.

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I agree with you. Till a couple of month ago everything was allright, so I think it's been a Windows Update to cause the problem, but I don't know which.

FreeBooter said:

Maybe it's a third-party application causing the problem, perform clean boot state.

Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 11 to Troubleshoot Software Conflicts Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to perform a clean boot to start Windows 10 or Windows 11 using a minimal set of drivers and startup programs for troubleshooting application conflicts. Troubleshooting Windows can be a complex process due to the many different drivers, settings, and programs...

www.elevenforum.com

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Thank you...I'll try this way, too.

nedi said:

I agree with you. Till a couple of month ago everything was allright, so I think it's been a Windows Update to cause the problem, but I don't know which.

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There are many complaints about this bug on the net and at Microsoft, nedi. I don’t know that anyone has ever pinpointed its origin.

Open PowerShell with administrative privileges (press Windows key + X, then click Windows PowerShell (Admin)).
Run the following command: msdt.exe -ep WindowsHelp id SearchDiagnostic

Check whether the Windows Search Service is running in services.msc.
Make sure it is running and the startup type is set to Automatic.

Even if Windows Search isn't working, you can go for alternative search tools like: Everything
or UltraSearch

Everything,

UltraSearch

godsey786 said:

Open PowerShell with administrative privileges (press Windows key + X, then click Windows PowerShell (Admin)).
Run the following command: msdt.exe -ep WindowsHelp id SearchDiagnostic

Check whether the Windows Search Service is running in services.msc.
Make sure it is running and the startup type is set to Automatic.

Even if Windows Search isn't working, you can go for alternative search tools like: Everything
or UltraSearch

Everything,

Downloads - voidtools

www.voidtools.com

UltraSearch

File Search Tool UltraSearch

Are you looking for something? UltraSearch finds your files and documents - even as you type. Download for free!

www.jam-software.com

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Thank you, godsey786. I have run the command in PowerShell; the Windows Search is running and the startup is Automatic.
The problem is still here.
Now I try the alternative tool...

See if this works:


Then do a restart and try again.

Also, this is a good article for troubleshooting search:

andrew129260 said:

See if this works:

Reset Windows Search in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to reset Windows Search in Windows 10 and Windows 11. You can use Windows Search to find your apps, files, settings, help, and more on Windows—plus unlock the power of the web with quick access to online information like time zone conversions, fact lookup...

www.elevenforum.com

Then do a restart and try again.

Also, this is a good article for troubleshooting search:

Fix problems in Windows Search - Windows Client

Provides troubleshooting options for problems that affect the search results for the Windows Search feature in Windows 11 and Windows 10.

learn.microsoft.com

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I have already run the "reset windows search" without success.
As for troubleshooting search, I have noticed that the process SearchUI.exe is not present in my Task manager....

nedi said:

I have already run the "reset windows search" without success.
As for troubleshooting search, I have noticed that the process SearchUI.exe is not present in my Task manager....

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That should have been fixed with the repair install......Odd.....

When you did the repair install did it seem like it took it okay?

Is the windows search running in services?

andrew129260 said:

That should have been fixed with the repair install......Odd.....

When you did the repair install did it seem like it took it okay?

Is the windows search running in services?

Click to expand...

The repair install didn't fix the issue.
Yes, the Windows Search is running in services (automatic start)

nedi said:

The repair install didn't fix the issue.
Yes, the Windows Search is running in services (automatic start)

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I understand the repair install did not fix the issue, I was just wondering if it seemed like it completed fully without any errors?

Also, what happens if you create a new user account and try it there?

nedi said:

The repair install didn't fix the issue.
Yes, the Windows Search is running in services (automatic start)

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1) Create a new user account to check if the problem persists.
2) What happens when you do a clean boot ?
3) Except the 10 check these possible solutions (perhaps something you didnt try)
Also if you would try the 4 , let it the last.

Bug locker said:

1) Create a new user account to check if the problem persists.
2) What happens when you do a clean boot ?
3) Except the 10 check these possible solutions (perhaps something you didnt try)
Also if you would try the 4 , let it the last.

Click to expand...

Thank you, Bug locker!
First solution (Restart FileExplorer): in my Task Manager I don't have any Windows Explorer process (????)

nedi said:

Thank you, Bug locker!
First solution (Restart FileExplorer): in my Task Manager I don't have any Windows Explorer process (????)

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Should be, nedi. I don’t know how that would fix a long running issue, especially counting the amout of times you have rebooted your PC since the issue started. Plus apparently did an in-place upgrade.

Start Windows File Explorer and go back into task manager and look again mate. Click on “More Details” in task manager

nedi said:

Thank you, Bug locker!
First solution (Restart FileExplorer): in my Task Manager I don't have any Windows Explorer process (????)

Click to expand...

Add it to context menu its useful. Otherwise , you could remove it after the test.

Till now ther is not a solution: I give up...

Thank you all for your availability.

nedi said:

Till now ther is not a solution: I give up...

Thank you all for your availability.

Click to expand...

I am unsure why the In-Place Upgrade didn’t work, you actually followed this step by step, with a Windows install saved to a USB or run from a Windows Install ISO and followed the steps? Option Two
This would be a rare occasion I have heard of where the process hasn’t worked to reset annoyances like this.

If it isn’t some kind of software you loaded that may be interfering, then depending on how important it is to you, you may need to reinstall Windows, nedi.

I agree. I don't think the repair install was done correctly. This should be fixed.

antspants said:

I am unsure why the In-Place Upgrade didn’t work, you actually followed this step by step, with a Windows install saved to a USB or run from a Windows Install ISO and followed the steps? Option Two
This would be a rare occasion I have heard of where the process hasn’t worked to reset annoyances like this.

If it isn’t some kind of software you loaded that may be interfering, then depending on how important it is to you, you may need to reinstall Windows, nedi.

Click to expand...

I performed the In-Place Upgrade twice, following all the steps, but nothing happened. The first time from USB media, the second from ISO image.

Troubles came when I installed the Windows 11 update of January; after installing, the PC rebooted and asked me to type the PIN (as usually). After typing the PIN I expected to see the Windows desktop, but I see the screen below.
I had to uninstall the update. The same happened with the updates of February and March. With the second update of March the issue disappeared, but I noticed the search bar issue...really I don't know when this happend for the first time.