Windows Search Bar is not working. These 15 Tips Will Help You Get It Right

Have you had trouble entering the Windows Search Bar on Windows 10? You should be able solve the problem by following the steps in the tutorial.

There are many reasons why the Windows Search bar can not respond to Windows 10 or 11. It could also be caused by a bugged instance of Windows Explorer or broken search indexes. So that the Windows Search box can be used again normally, we’ll explain what to do.

1. Windows Explorer should be restarted

Restarting Windows Explorer This is the easiest way to resolve unexpected issues and other problems with Windows’ user interface. This is how you do it:

1. Right-click the Start button Choose and Task Manager.

2. Select More details To expand the Task Manager view.

3. Select Windows Explorer > Restart.

Windows Explorer will reboot and temporarily the taskbar, desktop and other icons will disappear. After that, you can close the Task Manager.

2. Cortana Processes and End Windows Search

Windows Search may continue to stop working if Windows Search is not being able to function. Force-quit Cortana and Search in Windows to determine if this makes a difference.

1. Go back to the Task Manager.
2. Highlight the Search and Cortana processes.
3. Select End Task.

3. Start the Windows Search Service

You can continue by restarting Windows Search’s background service. This is how to do it:

1. Press Windows Key + R Click here to activate the Run bo.
2. Type services.msc Use the press Enter.

3. Right-click Windows Search Choose and Restart.

4. Restart Your Computer

Did you try restarting the computer before? Sometimes that is all you need to fix strange issues like unresponsive Windows Search boxes Start menu, Power Click on the icon to choose Restart. Update and restart.

5. Run Search and Indexing Troubleshooter

Windows 10 and 11 come with a Search and Indexing Troubleshooter built in. This automatically detects and corrects issues that are related to Windows Search. To run it:

1. Right-click the Start button Choose and Settings.
2. Select the Update & Security category. Scroll down to the default in Windows System screen instead.

3. Select Troubleshoot > Additional/Other troubleshooters.

4. Select Search and Indexing > Run the troubleshooter.

5. Make sure to check the box beside Can’t start a search or see results Choose and Next.

6. Wait for the Search and Indexing troubleshooter to finish troubleshooting any computer problems.

6. The CTF Loader is required

CTF Loader, which manages Alternative User Input (AUI) and Office Language in Windows 10, and 11, is the service. This program can be used to resolve the Windows Search Bar for large numbers of users.

1. Open a Run box.
2. Paste the following path into your clipboard:

C:\Windows\system32\ctfmon.exe

3. Select OK Or press Enter.

7. Startups should always run the CTF loader

The above fix will resolve the issue with the Windows Search bar not responding. If you have the same problem, reboot your system to force the CTF Loader launch at startup.

1. Open Run.
2. Enter the path below and hit the “Enter” button Enter key:

C:\Windows\system32\

3. Right-click and locate ctfmon.exe Choose and Show more options (Windows 11 only) > Send to >> Desktop (create shortcut).

4. The following command can be run from another Runbox:

shell:common startup

5. Drag and Drop ctfmon – Shortcut From your desktop, open the File Explorer window.

6. You can restart your computer.

8. Windows Indexing Services: Rebuild

Next, use the following steps to restore the Windows Search indexing service via the Control Panel Windows. This is how you do it:

1. Type: Open Run control, Enter.
2. Set View by To access the menu, click on the icon in the upper right corner Small icons.
3. Select Indexing Options.

4. Select Advanced.

5. Select Rebuild.

6. You should wait until Windows Search rebuilds the index.
7. Select Close You can close the Indexing Options dialog.

9. All Microsoft Store Apps must be re-registered

A second way to resolve a freeze in the Windows Search bar is by registering all Microsoft Store Apps on your Windows PC. Here are the steps to help.

1. Right-click the Start buttonand select Window PowerShell/Terminal (Admin).
2. Paste the following command into your browser:

$manifest = (Get-AppxPackageMicrosoft.WindowsStore).InstallLocation + ‘\AppxManifest.xml‘ ; Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $manifest

3. Press Enter.
4. You should wait until Windows PowerShell completes the execution of this command.
5. Close the console and start your computer again.

10. Windows Update to the Most Recent Version

You can still type in the Windows Search bar if you don’t have access to Windows 10. You may be able to fix the issue permanently by updating to a newer version of your operating system.

1. Select the Settings option from your phone Windows Update.
2. Select Check for updates.

3. All pending Windows Updates should be installed.

11. Check Your Computer for Malware

Malicious software or computer viruses may take over Windows Search. You can check the embedded antivirus software to see if your computer is infected Windows Security If the problem persists, utility may be used.

1. Open the Start menu Choose and Windows Security Add your programs to the list.

2. Select Virus & threat protection >> Scan options.

3. Select Full scan > Scan now.

Follow up with your physician if the scan results are negative Microsoft Defender Offline scan. . Or, Make sure to use an anti-malware program like Malwarebytes Perform a comprehensive scan for any malware.

12. Start the System File Checker

SFC (System File Checker), a Windows command-line utility that can fix corruption problems in your operating system, is included as part of Windows. It could make the Windows Search bar responsive once again by running it.

1. Type: Open Run cmd, Ctrl + Shift + Enter You can invoke an elevated Command Prompt Windo.
2. The following command is required:

sfc /scannow

3. Press Enter.

13. Perform a DISM Scan

Following the System File Checker it is a smart idea to do a follow-up with a Scan of DISM (Deployment Imaging Servicing and Management) to improve system stability. It can be run by entering the following commands into an elevated Command Prompt console. Press Enter: :

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth

14. Set up a Windows account for the first time

Windows Search can sometimes be stopped by profile corruption. You can test it by creating a Windows new user account.

1. Select the Settings option from your phone Accounts.
2. Select Family & other users.
3. Select Add someone else to this PC/Add account under the Other users section.

4. Select I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.

5. Select Add a user without a Microsoft account.

6. Select the option to enter a password and username Next.

7. Open theStart menu, Select your username and select the account you wish to change to.

Find out how to disable the Windows Search bar if it’s not responding normally Switch to the Windows 8 user account permanent.

15. Windows 10/11 Factory defaults can be reset

If you are unable to resolve the problem with any of these fixes, it is likely that there is a more serious system issue. Resetting Windows back to factory settings will fix this. You can back up your data from your computer before you begin.

1. The Settings app is open.
2. Select Update & Security > Recovery > Get Started. System Screen and choose Recovery > Reset PC.

3. You can choose from one of the Keep my files and Remove everything You can wait for Windows to reset itself by selecting options.

Check out our comprehensive guides for more information Resetting Windows 10 at the factory and Windows 11.

It’s possible to type the Windows Search Bar again

Unresponsive Windows Search bars are annoying, but not difficult to solve. The other options in this article will work if these simple fixes are not enough. Comment below to share the solutions that work for you.