Windows 11 Search Not Working? 8 Easy Ways to Fix it

Microsoft introduced a whole new set of changes and feature enhancements with Windows 11 to make Windows even better than before. One of these improvements was a more thorough and faster, redesigned centered search bar.

However, many users soon complained online that the new Windows 11 search bar stopped working after the latest updates.

Launching applications, searching for files, or changing Windows settings without a search bar is difficult, resulting in an unpleasant PC experience for the end-user.

But what if we told you that you could easily fix the problem of the Windows 11 Search bar not working by following the steps below? Sounds reassuring, does not it? So let us start with the troubleshooting.

1. Enable Search Bar in Taskbar

With Windows 11, Microsoft added the option to disable the search icon in the taskbar. As a result, new users are confused because they cannot find the search icon in the taskbar and search for files/apps in Windows 11.

However, you can easily enable the search menu in the taskbar from the Windows 11 settings; let us take a look.

1. Launch the Windows 11 settings app using the Windows + I keyboard shortcut.
2. Navigate to the Personalization section and select the Taskbar.
   
3. Under taskbar items, toggle On the Search option.
   
4. After that, Windows 11 search menu should start working again. If you are still unable to view the search option, restart your Windows 11 PC once.

2. Run Search and Indexing Troubleshooter

Since the problem of the Windows 11 search menu not working is common, Microsoft has included a built-in troubleshooting feature that can identify and fix all search menu issues with one button. Let us take a look at it.

1. Using the Windows + I keyboard shortcut, launch the Settings app on your Windows 11 PC.
2. Here, under the System, look for the Troubleshooting option and click on it.
   
3. Now, select other troubleshooters.
4. After that, simply hit Run next to the Search and Indexing troubleshooter option.
   
5. Sit back and relax until Windows troubleshoot the search menu and looks for any problems.
6. In a couple of seconds, you will have an option to choose your issue with the search menu. Accordingly, select your issues with the Windows 11 search menu.
   
7. Click next and describe your issue in detail, and again hit next.
8. Once done, Windows will try to apply all possible fixes and resolve the Windows 11 search menu not working problem.

3. Restart Windows 11 Search Service

The following method to fix the problem of Windows 11 search not working is to restart the search service from the taskbar. But how do you restart the search service? Don’t worry; we’ll take care of everything.

1. Press the Windows + I keyboard shortcut to bring up the Run menu.
2. After the Run window pops up, enter the following command.
   services.msc
3. In the new pop up window, scroll down till you see the Windows Search service.
4. Right-click on the Windows Search service and select Restart from the drop-down list.
   However, the newly redesigned search bar in Windows 11 is not working for many users online, resulting in a nasty experience.
5. The Windows 11 search menu should now function properly.

4. Force Stop Search Service Using Ctrl + Alt + Delete

If, by any chance, the search menu stops working for you, you can try to stop the service by following the steps mentioned below forcibly.

1. Launch the Windows 11 task manager by pressing the Ctrl + Alt = Delete keyboard shortcut.
2. Under the details tab, look for the SearchUI.exe, SearchHost.exe or SearchApp.exe.
3. Select the app and hit the End task option in the bottom right corner of the activate window.
   
4. Now, restart your PC and check if the Windows 11 search not working issue has been fixed.

5. Tweak the Touchpad and Handwriting Panel Service

Many third-party applications, such as the Handwriting Panel service, manipulate the default Windows settings. Follow these instructions to correct this.

1. Press the Windows + I keyboard shortcut to bring up the Run menu.
2. After the Run window pops up, enter the following command.
   services.msc
3. Now, look for the Touch Keyboard and Handwriting service and right-click on it.
4. Select Properties from the drop-down list.
   
5. Under the General tab, change the startup type from Manual to Automatic.
   
6. After that, navigate to the Recovery tab and set Subsequent failures to Restart and also reset the fail count from “1” to “0”.
   

6. Run Windows Security Check

Windows offers its users a sense of freedom by allowing them to install any software available on the network, but sometimes this freedom can turn out to be a fraud.

What’s my point? These untested third-party programs can often mess up Windows settings, making the search menu stop working.

However, you can quickly run a Windows security scan to check for security vulnerabilities in the system and fix the Windows 11 Search not working issue.

1. Use the Windows + I keyboard shortcut to launch the settings menu on Windows 11.
2. Here, navigate to the Privacy and Security Tab from the left pane.
3. Select the Windows Security Option.
   
4. Now, choose the Virus and Threat option. Once done, hit the quick scan option.
   
5. The tool will scan your PC and check for any viruses. After the scan is completed, the taskbar menu issue should get resolved.

7. Check for Updates

Probably the most common and easiest way to fix the Windows 11 Search not working problem is to update Windows 11 to the latest version. Press the Windows+I key combination and navigate to the Updates section to update your PC.

8. Reset Your Windows 11 Machine

If Windows 11 Search does not work even after trying all the above troubleshooting methods, your only option is to reset your Windows 11 computer.

Press the Windows + I key combination and navigate to the Reset PC option in the PC settings to reset your PC.

Fix Windows 11 Search Menu with Ease

If you use any of the troubleshooting methods described above, you should be able to fix the search issue on your Windows 11 machine and start using the brand-new UI and features.

Let us know in the comments below if you found this article helpful and successfully fixed the Windows 11 search not working issue.

FAQs about Windows 11 Search Bar Not Working Issue