How to fix search problems in Windows 10

Search on Windows 10 refuses to work? Here are six sets of instructions to resolve the most common problems with the Windows Search feature.

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Editor’s note from February 5, 2020: SomeWindows 10 users appear to be experiencing an issue with task bar search, in which the box appears blank and does not display search results. We’ve investigated the issue and have found a solution linked to disabling Bing integration with searches. Arecommended fix and the steps necessary are below.

On Windows 10, Windows Search is an essential feature that allows you to find virtually anything on your computer (such as documents, pictures, videos, system files, apps, emails, and settings) very quickly. Also, thanks to its integration with Bing search, you can use the feature for quick access to web pages and answers to common questions from the result preview.

Although search is a useful functionality that we take for granted every day, it’ll come the time when it’ll stop working as intended. For example, sometimes, search queries will show none or incomplete results. The search box in the taskbar will turn unresponsive or won’t open at all, and more.

Whatever the reason it may be, if you’re having problems with Windows Search onWindows 10, there are several troubleshooting steps you can follow to resolve the most common issues, including when your device received a buggy update that breaks the experience.

In this Windows 10 guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to troubleshoot and fix problems with the search feature on your device.

Remove Bing from Windows 10 Search

In light of therecent Windows 10 Search issueswhere nothing is displayed in the bar or window, many have found a fix by disabling Bing integration. This does require working with RegEdit, so doing abackup of both your PCand itsregistryare recommended.

Once you’ve performed any necessary backups, run through these steps to get local Search working again. Web results will not display while Bing is disabled. Multiple people here at Windows Central have performed the same steps with success.

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This should bring Windows 10 Search back online, at least with local results. This is a temporary fix while Microsoft addresses the core root of the problem, and it’s recommended that users undo the changes once Search is working again as intended.

To undo the process above, repeat steps 13 and 14, but type a1in theBingSearchEnableddata field to re-enable Bing. The same can be done for steps 16 and 17, with a1in theCortanaConsentdata field. Restart your PC and you should be back where you started.

How to fix search using Troubleshooter

If you’re having problems searching on Windows 10 and restarting your device doesn’t resolve the problem, then you can use the Troubleshooter settings to diagnose and fix the most common issues. And you can perform this task from the Settings app or Command Prompt.

Repairing search with Settings

To fix the search functionality with the Settings app, use these steps:

Once you complete the steps, the search feature should start working again on your computer.

Repairing search with Command Prompt

Alternatively, you can also start the Troubleshooter using Command Prompt:

After you complete the steps, the Search and Indexing troubleshooter will scan and fix the most common problems with the feature.

How to fix search using restart option

You can also restart the Windows 10 process that controls the search elements using these steps:

Once you complete the steps, the process should restart automatically. If it doesn’t restart immediately, reboot your computer, and then confirm if the search has been fixed.

How to fix search using reset option

If Windows Search still not working on Windows 10, then you may be able to fix the problem by resetting the feature. However, the reset process will depend upon the version of the OS currently installed on your computer.

Checking Windows 10 version

To determine the version of Windows 10, use these steps:

After you complete the steps, you’ll know the version of Windows 10 running on the computer.

Reset search on Windows 10 version 1903

If your device is running Windows 10 version 1903, May 2019 Update, then to reset the search feature, use these steps:

Once you complete the steps, search should start working as before.

Reset search on Windows 10 version 1809

If your device is running Windows 10 version 18069, October 2018 Update, or an earlier release, then to reset the search feature, use these steps:

After you complete the steps, the reset process should fix the problem, and the search box in the taskbar should work as expected.

How to fix search using Index Settings

The indexing feature can also cause problems that can prevent returning search results on your device.

If you have tried all the previous instructions, you can try rebuilding the index database to fix search problems on Windows 10.

To rebuild the search index on your device, use these steps:

Once you complete the steps, Windows 10 will clear and rebuild the index database. However, while the database is rebuilding, searches from the taskbar, File Explorer, and across the OS might be incomplete until all the files are indexed again.

Restarting Windows Search

In the rare case that you see searches without results, and you can’t access the Indexing settings, then the Windows Search service may be disabled on your computer.

To enable the indexing and search service, use these steps:

After you complete the steps, Windows Search will enable on your computer, and you should be able to start searching for files and apps for taskbar and File Explorer again.

How to fix search using Windows Update

On Windows 10, quality updates can include fixes for the search functionality, but they can also be the reason for the feature to break.

Fixing search installing update

If you haven’t updated Windows 10 for a while, perhaps the latest update may include a fix for Windows Search.

To update Windows 10 to the latest release, use these steps:

After you complete the steps, the latest maintenance update should resolve any search problems on your computer.

Fixing search removing update

Although Microsoft strives to release updates to improve the overall experience of Windows 10, sometimes a buggy update may do its way onto devices breaking features, such as search.

If you suspect that a recent update is the reason that Windows Search search is broken, then use these steps to remove it:

Once you complete the steps, the problematic update will be removed from Windows 10, fixing any search problems, and the same update shouldn’t download and install automatically until the company releases a follow-up release.

Cale Hunt brings to Windows Central more than eight years of experience writing about laptops, PCs, accessories, games, and beyond. If it runs Windows or in some way complements the hardware, there’s a good chance he knows about it, has written about it, or is already busy testing it.