When Windows Search isn't working, there are several symptoms you might run into.Maybe you can't type into the Windows 11 search bar, or your files or apps aren't showing up in the results.It's even possible for the search button to not respond at all, meaning you can't eventryto run a search.

These directions are exclusively for Windows 11.

Why Can't I Search in Windows 11?

Windows is known for its bugs, so it's no surprise that an unresolved software bug is most likely why you can't search for things in Windows 11.Other problems might just be perceived; there are some settings that, when set a certain way, masquerade as a malfunction.

Regardless, all search-related problems in Windows 11 are software related, so either an update from Microsoft or some tweaking on your end should be enough to fix a broken Windows Search.

How to Fix Windows 11 Search Problems

There are a variety of things you can try, from a simple restart to editing system settings and uninstalling programs. Walk through our tips in this order to try the easier solutions first:

1. Restart your computer. Yes, this is an obvious and typical solution to most computer issues, but it's also one of the easier things to try when attempting to fix search problems.

   An easy way to reboot Windows 11 is to right-click the Start button and go toShut down or sign out>Restart.

2. Open the Run dialog box. You don't even need to enter anything! It's an odd solution, but seems to work for people who run into the issue where the search bar isn't letting you type.

   Use theWIN+Rshortcut to launch Run, and then exit to see if this fixes the search issue.

3. Restart SearchHost.exe. This process runs each time you open the search box and should remain suspended when the search window is closed. If there's a problem with this process opening or closing when it needs to, it could be causing your search issue.

   PressCtrl+Shift+Escto open Task Manager. Go into theDetailstab and right-clickSearchHost.exe. SelectEnd task, and then confirm withEnd process. Once it disappears from Task Manager, try opening the search window again.

4. Change the search settings to scour more folders. If you think the Windows 11 search tool is broken because it's not finding files you know you have, double-check that the search tool is configured to actually look through those folders.

   To do this, open SettingswithWIN+i, and then go toPrivacy & security>Searching Windows. EnableEnhancedif you want to search through all your PC's folders. Also, confirm the folders you want to search through aren't listed in theExclude folders from enhanced searcharea.

5. Enable or restart the Windows Search service. This needs to be running for Windows 11 to properly search for files.

   To do this, open the Run dialog box (WIN+R) and enter theservices.msccommand. OpenWindows Searchand selectStart. If it's already running, stop it and start it again.

6. Rebuild the Windows 11 search index. From Settings (WIN+i), go toPrivacy & security>Searching Windows, and then selectAdvancedindexing optionsat the bottom, followed byAdvanced >Rebuild>OK.

7. Check Windows Update for a fix. Microsoft releases updates all the time to not only add new features to Windows but to address problems as well. There could be an update you've yet to install that fixes the broken search tool.

8. Undo recent changes made to your computer. It's likely unclear you know for sure what's to blame for the search problem, but here are some ideas to consider:

   • Uninstall a program
   • Roll back a driver
   • Run SystemRestore

   If searching works in Safe Mode, there's a good chance the problem is related to a recently installed driver.

9. Reset Windows 11. At this point, you can restore the whole operating system to its original, default state to fix Windows Search. It's not guaranteed to work if the search bug hasn't yet been addressed by Microsoft, but at this stage, it's the last thing you can try.

   Perform a Windows 11 reset throughSettings >System >Recovery>Reset PC.

• How do I search for files in Windows 11?

  Use the search bar or click the File Explorer icon from the taskbar or the Windows Start menu to search for a file within a specific folder. To search and show hidden folders, selectViewfrom the File Explorer menu bar, and then selectShow>Hidden items.

• Why is my search bar not working in Windows 10?

  If Windows 10 search isn't working on your computer, the problem is probably related to a software issue. The problem could also come from a network or search service interruption. Troubleshoot the issue by checking your network connectivity, restarting your device, and turning Cortana off and on again.