8 Best Ways to Fix Windows 11 Search Not Working
Windows 11 is a welcome departure from the aging Windows 10 OS. Microsoft’s latest OS brings anew Start menu, redesigned apps, better UI, Android apps support, and more. However, some of the issues remain identical from Windows 10 days. One such annoyance is when Windows 11 search functions fail to work. Here are the top ways to fix Windows 11 search not working issue.
Fix Windows 11 Search Not Working
When you press the Windows key and start searching for an app or file, the OS will showcase a blank space. It’s a headache, especially when you want to quickly search for an app or file. Let’s troubleshoot the issue.
1. Restart Computer
Before we move to advanced troubleshooting solutions, let’s try this tested method to fix any search issues on Windows 11.
Press the Windows key and open the new Start menu. Click on the Power button and select Restart to reboot the PC.
2. Restart Windows Search Service
Windows search service needs to be enabled from the Task Manager to function properly. Let’s restart the Windows search service.
1.OpenTask Managerapp on Windows 11.
2.Click on theServicestab.
3.SelectOpen Servicesat the bottom.
4.Scroll down and right-click onWindows Search.
5.SelectRestartfrom the Context menu.
Users should also open thePropertiesfrom the same menu and keepAutomatic from the Startup typemenu.
3. Reset Windows 11 Search
Windows 11 search relies on the SearchHost.exe process to function properly. Let’s restart the task and check if that fixes Windows 11 search not working error.
1.Open theTask Managerapp on Windows 11.
2.Move to theDetailstab.
3.Scroll down and find theSearchHost.exeprocess.
4.Right-click on it.
5.SelectEnd taskfrom the context menu.
6.Reboot the computer and the OS will start the process in the background.
Try searching for an app or file again using Windows Search.
4. Windows 11 Search Troubleshooter
Microsoft offers a built-in troubleshooter tool to fix search-related issues on Windows 11. Let’s use it.
1.Open theSettingsapp on Windows 11 (use Windows key+I keys).
2.Go toSystem > Troubleshootmenu.
3.OpenOther troubleshooters.
4.Scroll down and Run Search and Indexing troubleshooter.
Let Windows fix the search and indexing issue for you.
5. Clear Device Search History
Windows 11 saves the search queries to deliver better search results the next time you try searching for a similar term. Overburden of such search queries may lead to Windows 11 search not working issue on your computer.
You need to clear Windows 11 search history from the Settings menu. Here’s how.
1.From the Windows 11 Settings menu, selectPrivacy & security.
2.Scroll down toSearch permissions.
3.SelectClear device search historyand you are good to go.
From the same menu, you’re able to disable Search history on this device toggle as well.
6. Run Powershell Command
Microsoft recommends using Windows PowerShell to run a command to fix Windows 11 search issues.
1.Open theWindows PowerShellapp on your computer.
2.Copy-paste the command below in PowerShell and hit the Enter key.
3.Close Windows PowerShell and reboot your computer.
7. Disable SafeSearch
Are you having issues with specific search terms while using Windows 11 search? Windows 11’s SafeSearch function might be interfering here. Let’s try disabling it.
1.Open theSettingsapp on Windows 11 (use Windows+I keys).
2.Go toPrivacy & securityand openSearch permissions.
3.TheSafeSearchis set at Moderate. You can turn it off from the same menu.
8. Update Windows 11
Microsoft regularly releases OS updates to fix small issues with the system. Windows 11 search not working on the computer might be related to an outdated build on your PC. You need to update the OS to the latest version from the Settings app. Follow the steps below.
1.Go to the Windows Settings app.
2.SelectWindows Updateand install the latest Windows 11 build on the computer.
The good news is, you may see the estimated time remaining while installing the new build on the computer.
Wrapping Up: Fix Windows 11 Search Not Working
Windows 11 search not working can be troublesome for many others there. We rely on it to quickly open an app or file stored on the PC. Before you go ahead and reset the PC or roll back to Windows 10, use the steps above and fix Windows 11 search not working.
Parth Shah
Parth previously worked at EOTO.tech covering tech news. He is currently freelancing at TechWiser, Android Police, and GuidingTech writing about apps comparisons, tutorials, software tips and tricks, and diving deep into iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows platforms.
