Windows 10 Search Not Working? 5 Solutions to apply

Here few solutions to fix if Windows search not working, Windows 10 Search is giving blank results, or search just stopped working.

Windows
By Kelvin smith
Windows 10 Search problems

The search feature on Windows 10 PC is a powerful tool help quickly find files, apps, and settings on your computer. However, sometimes you may notice, Windows 10 search bar shows no results. A few users report, Windows 10 search not showing results after update. Several factors affect Windows search, indexing issues, corrupted system files, permissions problems, or conflicts with other software are common. Here’s a detailed guide on how to diagnose and fix common search problems in Windows 10.

Windows 10 Search not working

As discussed, Several factors can contribute to search problems in Windows 10, indexing issues, corrupted system files, permissions problems, or conflicts with other software are common.

  • Corrupted Indexing Data: The search index may become corrupted, leading to incomplete or failed searches.
  • Search Component Errors: Issues with search components or services can prevent searches from functioning correctly.
  • File and Folder Permissions: Insufficient permissions can block search access to specific files or folders.
  • System File Corruption: Corrupt system files can affect various Windows features, including search.

Restart Windows PC

If this is the very first time you have noticed Windows search not showing results, The first thing we recommend is restarting your PC. This will flush memory and disk-cache glitches and fix if a temporary glitch causes Windows search problems.

Install the latest Windows update

Microsoft regularly releases Windows updates with various bug fixes and security improvements. Installing the latest updates can fix bugs and improve system performance, including search functionality.

  • Press Windows key + I to open settings,
  • Click Update & security then Windows Update,
  • Now click the Check for Updates button to allow download Windows updates from the Microsoft server.
  • Sometimes you need to manually click download and install link under Optional updates
  • Once done restart your PC to apply the changes.
  • Check if installing the latest Windows update has the bug fix for the Windows search problem.

Restart the Search Service

Check the Windows search service is running status or restart the search following steps below.

  • Press the Windows key and R key together to open the Run dialogue.
  • Type services.msc in the box and hit Enter or click OK to open Windows service console,
  • Scroll down and locate the Windows Search service, right-click on it select restart,
  • If the service not started, double click on windows search service to open its properties,
  • Here change the startup type automatic and start the next to service status,
  • Click Apply and ok to save the changes and check if the Windows search function as expected.

Run Search index troubleshooter

Run the built-in Windows search and indexing troubleshooter that helps you to restore indexing services and probably help fix Windows 10 search problems as well.

  • Open Windows settings using the keyboard shortcut Windows + I,
  • Click Update & security then troubleshoot
  • On the right-hand side, select Search and Indexing. then click run the troubleshooter,
  • Answer the questions and follow the instructions.
  • Once done restart your PC and check if the search problem is solved.

Windows search troubleshooter

Rebuild search indexing options

You have tried all previous solutions but still the Windows 10 search not working. Try rebuilding the index database to probably fix search problems on Windows 10.

If the search index is corrupted, rebuilding it can help restore search functionality.

  • Go to Control Panel > Indexing Options.
  • Click on Advanced, then select Rebuild under the Troubleshooting section. This process may take some time, depending on the amount of data to be indexed.

Rebuild search index

Reset Search and Indexing Components

Resetting the search components can resolve persistent issues with the search function.

Press Win + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin). Enter the following commands one at a time and press Enter after each:

powershell
Get-Service WSearch | Stop-Service

del /q %windir%\system32\config\systemprofile\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.Cortana_cw5n1h2txyewy\LocalState\Caches

Get-Service WSearch | Start-Service

Once done, reboot your PC and check if search results showing.

Tweak windows registry

Still, Windows 10 Search is giving blank results. A few Windows users suggested, disabling Microsoft Bing integration in Windows Search restores fix the problem for them. To do this you need to tweak the Windows registry following the steps below.

  • Press Windows key + R, type regedit and click ok
  • The Windows registry editor opens, navigate the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search
  • Here select and right-click on the search key,  New > DWORD (32-bit) Value
  • Name the new DWORD value as BingSearchEnabled
  • Double click on BingSearchEnabled (newly created DWORD) and change its value 0 and click ok
  • Also, look for CortanaConsent and change its value 0 as well.
  • Now close registry editor window and reboot your PC. On the next start check if the search function as expected.

Registry tweak to fix windows search problem

In addition, if windows system files corrupted missing your might notice a slow performance issue, windows 10 Freezes or windows 10 unresponsive while search files or folders. In such cause run the built-in system file checker utility help with detecting and restore missing corrupted windows system files with correct one.

Did these solutions help fix Windows 10 search problems? Let us know on comments below.