Windows search problems

acahan1 · Dec 4, 2021

Hello In Windows 11, the search box does not work. I haven't been able to fix the problem.

Slavic · Dec 4, 2021

Hello,

First of all, check whether search service is working. Go to Computer Management > Services and Applications > Services > Windows Search. This service should be running and use the Automatic or Automatic (Delayed Start) startup type. Then look for search settings: Settings > Privacy & security > Searching Windows. Look which locations are included to search, Classic may be the most safe option, Enhanced requires more time for building the index. Check the excluded folders here as well.

If the service is running and settings are OK, try to use search boxes in different places: in Settings, in Explorer, in Start menu. Check if it works at least somewhere or doesn't work at all. In the last case, try to use the troubleshooter: Settings > Privacy & security > Searching Windows > Indexer troubleshooter.

acahan1 · Dec 4, 2021

Slavic said:
Hello,

First of all, check whether search service is working. Go to Computer Management > Services and Applications > Services > Windows Search. This service should be running and use the Automatic or Automatic (Delayed Start) startup type. Then look for search settings: Settings > Privacy & security > Searching Windows. Look which locations are included to search, Classic may be the most safe option, Enhanced requires more time for building the index. Check the excluded folders here as well.

If the service is running and settings are OK, try to use search boxes in different places: in Settings, in Explorer, in Start menu. Check if it works at least somewhere or doesn't work at all. In the last case, try to use the troubleshooter: Settings > Privacy & security > Searching Windows > Indexer troubleshooter.

Hello,
I did all you said. But it didn't

Slavic · Dec 4, 2021

acahan1 said:
Hello,
I did all you said. But it didn't

I am afraid I cannot help you with such few info, and hardly someone else can. It would be much better to explain the problem in details: what you see when trying to search in Settings, in Explorer, in Start menu. Search in Settings should always work because it shows the results within Settings UI. If you tried to use the troubleshooter, which option(s) you have selected and which results got, also which were the error messages, if any.

glasskuter · Dec 4, 2021

Here are a few things to try. Hopefully one will work for you. Check search between steps.

Restart you computer if you haven’t already
Open the Run dialog box WIN+R. You don't even need to enter anything! It's an odd solution, but seems to work for people who run into the issue where the search bar isn't letting you type.
From task Manager-click Details tab. Find searchhost.exe. Right click on it and end process.
Launch run dialog using Win+R. Type services.msc. Stop the Windows Search service and then start it again.
Rebuild search index from settings- search-searching windows-customize search locations-advanced-rebuild
Run the troubleshooter. Settings-update and security-troubleshoot-additional troubleshooters-search and indexing-
Make sure windows update is up to date

FreeBooter · Dec 4, 2021

You can try Windows 10 PowerShell script to fix problems with Windows Search by running the Reset_Windows_Search.bat batch script.

glasskuter · Dec 4, 2021

@FreeBooter Good to have a script for that. Does your script have to be run as administrator?

imanlien2020 · Dec 4, 2021

I had the exact same problem. 2 things fixed it for me.
1 - Update windows to latest including any of the the optional cumulative updates.
2 - I ran a script in Powershell, run as administrator, and then went into services and started the Windows search set to automatic
oh and i had to open "Indexing Options" and set it to the drives etc I want to index and I had to turn Indexing on as well
that solved my problem. Sorry I dont know the script now but the other Gurus on here most likely do..sorry thats all I can say for ya.