Fix: Windows 10 Search Bar Not Working [Solved]

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Windows search box is the easiest way to get access to the files, folders, documents, and applications stored in your system.

So, it can get annoying when we suddenly find Windows 10 search bar not working.

Some people find a missing search bar whereas, for some, the search queries may also show incomplete results.

Now several troubleshooting steps can help you get back to the search bar again. Let’s discuss those in detail.

What To Do When Windows 10 Search Bar Not Working

Table of Contents

Follow the described methods when Windows 10 search bar is not working and fix the issue.

1) Restart Your Computer

When you find the search bar not working on Windows 10, first of all, restart your device.

Sometimes a fresh restart can fix these types of problems. Just shut down your machine and detach all the attached peripherals and power cables.

Wait for a few minutes before connecting back to everything and restarting your device.

If after a fresh restart you still find that the Windows search bar is not working then go to the next solution.

2) Enable Windows Search Bar

You can hide the Search on Windows 10 by changing settings.

So, if you have somehow hidden the Search, follow the steps given below to unhide it:

Right-click on a blank space on your Desktop and select Personalize option.

From the opened window click on the Taskbar as shown below.

Check that the toggle beside the show Search button is turned on.

If not then turn it on. You should be able to see the search now. If Windows 10 search not working after this, try the next solution.

3) Run Search And Indexing Troubleshooter

Windows provides inbuilt troubleshooters to troubleshoot the basic problems.

So, run search and indexing troubleshooter when Windows 10 search box not working and fix the problem.

To run the search and indexing troubleshooter follow the steps given below:

Press Windows + I keys to open Windows Settings and click on the Update & Security option.

Now select Troubleshoot option. From the next window, select Additional Troubleshooters.

Scroll down to find Search and Indexing and click on it. Choose to Run the troubleshooter.

4) Restart Windows Search Service

If the Search bar still not working then restart the Windows Search service. This can help you fix the problem.

To do that follow the given steps:

Open Run utility by pressing Win + R keys on your keyboard.

Enter services.msc in the Run command box and click on the OK button or press Enter.

Scroll down to find the Windows Search Service and double-click on it.

Click on the Stop button and then on the Start button.

Now you should see the search bar again. If not then follow the next solution.

5) Update Your Windows

The search can get bugged if your Windows is outdated and you may get incomplete search results.

So, update your Windows to the latest version and see if this helps to fix the problem.

To update your Windows, follow as given:

Open Windows Settings and go to the Update & Security section.
Click on Updates and then choose to Check for updates. If any update is available then go for it.

Wait till the installation gets completed. Now check if you can see the search bar again.

6) Rebuild the Search Index

If the Windows index is broken or old, then the Search bar may not work.

To fix this, rebuild the search index by following the steps given below:

Open Run the utility and enter Control Panel in the command box. Press Enter.
Search for Indexing Options and click on it.

From the Indexing Options window, click on the Advanced button.

Under the Troubleshooting section, click on the Rebuild button.

From the next pop-up window, click on the OK button to continue.
Let the rebuilding process finish and then give your PC a fresh restart.

7) Run SFC and DISM Scans

Due to broken System files, you may also find the search bar not working on Windows 10.

An SFC scan can repair these corrupted or missing core files and fix the problem.

On the other hand, DISM repairs windows broken images.

So, run SFC and DISM scans and see if this can fix the problem.

8) Reset Windows

If nothing helps and the search bar is still not working, try resetting your Windows.

But before resetting your Windows, back up all your important data.

Now follow the given method to reset your Windows:

Open Windows Settings and click on the Update & Security option.
From the left side panel, choose the Recovery option like I have shown below.

Under Reset this PC option at the right side pane, choose the Get Started option.

Select between Remove Everything and Keep My Files options and then click on the Only the drive where Windows is installed option.

Next, choose Additional Settings and click on the Next button.

Click on the Just remove My files option and follow the on-screen instructions to finish the process.

After completing the entire process, reinstall all your required applications. Restore all the backup data and continue.

Final Words

Hope you have fixed the problem by now. If you have any further queries related to Windows 10 search bar not working, then ask us in the comments section below.