Windows Search is a feature that lets you quickly and easily search for files, folders, apps, settings, and web content in Windows 11. However, sometimes this feature encounters issues and cannot function properly. This is certainly very disruptive to your productivity and comfort in using a computer or laptop.
Various causes can make Windows Search not work, such as:
- It’s Cortana who has a problem. Cortana is a virtual assistant integrated with Windows Search. If Cortana crashes or conflicts, Windows Search is also affected.
- Windows system crash. Windows system errors can be caused by viruses, malware, corrupt files, or failed updates. This may affect the performance and functionality of Windows Search.
- Junk files or caches that accumulate. Junk files or caches that accumulate can reduce storage space and slow down Windows performance. This may affect the search process and indexation of Windows Search.
- Incorrect settings. Incorrect settings can prevent Windows Search from operating normally. For example, inappropriate regional, language, or privacy settings.
To resolve the issue of Windows Search not working, you can try the following ways:
1. Restart Windows Search
The first way you can try is to restart Windows Search through services or Task Manager. This can help resolve temporary or mild Windows Search issues. Here are the steps:
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Restart via services
- Press the Windows + R key to open a Run window.
- Type services.msc and press the Enter key or click OK.
- Find Windows Search and right-click on the service.
- Select Restart to restart the Windows Search service.
- Wait a few moments and try using Windows Search again.
Restart via Task Manager
- Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc button to open Task Manager.
- On the Processes tab, search for Search or SearchUI.exe.
- Right-click on the process and select End Task.
- Wait a few moments and try using Windows Search again.
2. Update Windows
The second way you can try is to update Windows to the latest version. This method can help solve Windows Search problems caused by bugs or errors in the Windows system. In addition, updating Windows can also improve the security and performance of your computer or laptop. Here are the steps:
- Click the Start button and select Settings (gear icon).
- On the Windows Update menu, click Check for updates to search for the latest updates for Windows.
- If there are any updates available, click Download and install to download and install them.
- After the update process is complete, restart your computer or laptop.
- Try using Windows Search again.
3. Run the Troubleshooter
The third way you can try is by running the Troubleshooter provided by Microsoft. Troubleshooter is a feature that can help you search for and fix problems that occur in Windows, including Windows Search problems. Here are the steps:
- Click the Start button and select Settings (gear icon).
- Select Privacy & security.
- On the right menu, select Searching Windows.
- Find and select Indexing troubleshooter.
- Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to run the Troubleshooter.
- After the Troubleshooter finishes, try using Windows Search again.
4. Rebuild Index
The fourth way you can try is to rebuild the index. An index is a database that stores information about files, folders, and web content that is on your computer or laptop. Windows Search uses indexes to speed up the search process. However, sometimes indexes can be broken or out of sync with the actual data. This can cause Windows Search to be unable to find what you are looking for. To overcome this, you can rebuild the index, which is to deleting and recreating the index from scratch. Here are the steps:
- Click the Start button and type Control Panel. Open the Control Panel app.
- Select View by: Large icons or Small icons.
- Click Indexing Options.
- In the Indexing Options window, click Advanced.
- On the Index Settings tab, click Rebuild under the Troubleshooting section.
- Click OK to confirm that you want to rebuild the index.
- Wait for the index rebuild process to complete. This process can take a while, depending on the number of files and folders that are on your computer or laptop.
- Try using Windows Search again.
5. Delete Junk Files or Cache
The fifth way you can try is to delete junk files or cache that accumulate on your computer or laptop. A junk or cache file is a temporary file created by a system or application to store data or information. However, if these files are not cleaned periodically, they can reduce storage space and slow down Windows performance. This may affect the search process and indexation of Windows Search. To delete junk or cache files, you can use the Disk Cleanup or Storage Sense features provided by Windows. Here are the steps:
Using Disk Cleanup
- Open File Explorer and right-click on your C: drive or system drive.
- Select Properties.
- On the General tab, click Disk Cleanup.
- Select the files you want to delete, such as Temporary files, Recycle Bin, Thumbnails, and more.
- Click OK to delete the files.
- If you want to delete larger or older files, click Clean up system files and repeat the previous step.
- Wait for the file deletion process to complete.
- Try using Windows Search again.
Using Storage Sense
- Click the Start button and select Settings (gear icon).
- Select System.
- On the left menu, select Storage.
- On the right menu, turn on the Storage Sense option.
- Click Configure Storage Sense or run it now to set up how Storage Sense works.
- You can specify when Storage Sense will run automatically, how long unused files will be deleted, and what will be deleted by Storage Sense.
- If you want to run Storage Sense now, click Clean now.
- Wait for the file deletion process to complete.
- Try using Windows Search again.
6. Check Hardware and Drivers
The sixth way you can try is to check the hardware and drivers connected to your computer or laptop. Corrupted or incompatible hardware and drivers can cause problems with Windows systems, including Windows Search. You can check your hardware and drivers by using the Device Manager feature provided by Windows. Here are the steps:
- Press the Windows + X button and select Device Manager.
- Check if there is a yellow exclamation mark or a red cross on the device connected to your computer or laptop. If there is, it means that there is a problem with the device.
- Right-click on the problematic device and select Update driver to search for and install the latest driver for that device.
- If no updated drivers are available, or if the problem persists, right-click on the problematic device and select Uninstall device to remove that device from the Windows system.
- Restart your computer or laptop and let Windows detect and reinstall the device automatically.
- Try using Windows Search again.
7. Perform a System Restore
The seventh way you can try is to do a system restore. System restore is a feature that can restore the state of the Windows system to a certain point in the past, when the system was still functioning properly. This can help resolve Windows Search issues caused by changes or damage to your Windows system. However, you must have restore points available before you can perform a system restore. Here are the steps:
- Press the Windows + R key to open a Run window.
- Type rstrui.exe and press the Enter key or click OK.
- In the System Restore window, click Next.
- Select the restore point you want to use, and click Next. You can select a restore point based on the date and time, or based on the description provided by Windows.
- Click Finish to confirm that you want to perform a system restore.
- Wait for the system restore process to complete. This process can take quite a long time, and your computer or laptop will restart automatically.
- Try using Windows Search again.
8. Reset Your PC
The eighth and final way you can try is to reset the PC. PC reset is a feature that can restore the state of the Windows system to factory settings, by deleting all files, applications, and settings that are on your computer or laptop. This can help resolve Windows Search issues caused by severe damage to your Windows system. However, you should back up your important data before you perform a PC reset. Here are the steps:
- Click the Start button and select Settings (gear icon).
- Select Update & Security.
- On the left menu, select Recovery.
- On the right menu, click Get started under the Reset this PC section.
- Choose Keep my files or Remove everything, depending on your choice. The Keep my files option will delete apps and settings, but won’t delete your files. The Remove everything option will delete all existing files, applications, and settings on your computer or laptop.
- Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to continue the PC reset process.
- Wait for the PC reset process to complete. This process can take a very long time, and your computer or laptop will restart several times.
- Try using Windows Search again.
Thus the article on how to fix Windows Search not working in Windows 11. Hope this article can help you solve Windows Search problems easily and quickly. If you have any questions, suggestions, or criticisms, please write them in the comments below. Thank you for reading this article. See you in the next article.