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Windows 10 Start Menu Search not working [Complete Guide]
9 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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It appears that this OS has a few surprises forWindows 10 users, but not the kind of surprises they were expecting to get.
Many users report that Windows Search often stops working after being used one time. Windows Search is a key part of Windows, but many users reported that Windows Search won’t work on their PC.
That can be a big problem, and speaking of this issue, here are some similar issues reported by the users:
What can I do if Windows Search suddenly stops working?
1. Try out alternative search tools
Unlike Windows built-in search, there are various third-party tools that deliver error-free searching for your desktop.
Even if it may sound strange at first, you can replace Windows Search function usingalternative desktop search toolscapable of organizing your files flawlessly.
If you store a great amount of files and applications on your PC, then the search button is indispensable. With specialized tools, you will find all your files, documents and programs in one go.
Moreover, it’s advised to consider such software as a replacement for the search button due to the practical capabilities of finding any kind of files or programs from your PC.
2. Check your firewall
Judging by the latest reports, it appears that there is a strong connection between Cortana and Windows search not working. After disabling Cortana, Windows search works again.
Windows searchprovides 0 results, kill Cortana, try again, get results, click out, try again, 0 results? I have tried re-indexing, running the troubleshooter and lots of other stuff, anyone have any ideas?
Sometimes your firewall can cause issues with Cortana. If Windows Search won’t work, the problem is most likely related to your firewall. To fix the problem, you just need to make a couple of simple changes and you’re good to go.
To do that, follow these steps:
The most surprising fact is that users haven’t installed any updates or third-party software recently. The hypothesis that an update or an app may be causing these search issues can thus be rejected.
On the other hand, some users believe that Microsoft pushed a background update that nobody was supposed to know about. They simply refuse to believe that a feature that was working flawlessly a few minutes before, suddenly stops working.
I have the same issue that everyone else does. I haven’t installed any software and no updates were installed recently. The search function was literally working one minute and then it stopped for no apparent reason. I’m assuming that a background update that was deployed by Microsoft that nobody was supposed to know about.
3. Reinstall Universal applications
In case you don’t know, Start Menu and Cortana are basically Universal applications, and if Windows Search won’t work on your PC, you might be able to fix the problem simply by reinstalling the Universal applications.
This is quite simple to do, and you can do it by following these steps:
After running these commands, all Universal applications will be reinstalled and the issue with Windows Search should be completely resolved.
Keep in mind that Powershell can be a potentially dangerous tool, so use extra caution. If you’re worried that something might go wrong after using PowerShell, feel free tocreate a System Restore pointon your PC.
4. Restart File Explorer
If Windows Search won’t work on your Windows 10 PC, you might be able to fix the problem simply by restarting the Windows Explorer process.
Sometimes there might be some glitches on your system, and the best way to fix them is to restart Windows Explorer.
This is quite simple to do, and you can do it by following these steps:
Windows Explorer will now restart. Once the Windows Explorer restarts, the problem should be completely resolved. Keep in mind that this is just a workaround, so you’ll have to repeat it whenever the issue occurs.
5. Make sure that your Firewall is enabled
In some cases, Windows Search won’t work if you don’t have the necessary components enabled.
Surprisingly, Windows Search is related to Windows Firewall, and if Windows Firewall is disabled, you won’t be able to use Windows Search.
If you remember disabling Windows Search from the Group Policy Settings, be sure to revert the changes and enable Windows Firewall again.
6. Make changes to your Group Policy settings
According to users, Windows Search sometimes won’t due to your Group Policy settings. However, you can fix that problem by making a couple of changes. To do that, follow these steps:
After doing that, the problem should be resolved. Several users are also suggesting to rungpupdate /forcecommand inCommand Prompt, so you can try that as well.
Alternatively, you can fix this issue by making a few changes inRegistry Editor. To do that, just follow these steps:
Once you make these changes, the issue should be completely resolved and everything will start working again.
7. Repair your Windows installation
If Windows Search won’t work on your PC, the problem might a damaged installation. However, you can fix this problem by running SFC and DISM scans.
This is relatively simple to do, and you can do it by following these steps:
After the SFC scan is finished, the problem should be fixed. If this issue is still there, we advise you to perform aDISMscan. You can do that by following these steps:
Once the DISM scan is completed, check if the issue is still there. If the problem persists, you might want to repeat the SFC scan again.
8. Run ctfmon.exe command
According to users, if Windows Search won’t work on your PC, you might be able to fix the problem simply by running thectfmon.execommand. To do that, follow these simple steps:
After running this command, the issue should be completely resolved.
9. Create a new user account
If Windows Search won’t work on your PC, the issue might be your user account. Your account can get corrupted for various reasons, but you can fix the problem by creating a new user account. To do that, follow these steps:
After creating a new user account, switch to it and check if the issue still appears. If not, move your personal files to the new account and start using it instead of your old account.
Either way, what matters is that the workaround listed above helps you fix the recent Windows search issues.
Madalina Dinita
Networking & Security Specialist
Madalina has been a Windows fan ever since she got her hands on her first Windows XP computer.
She is interested in all things technology, especially emerging technologies – AI and DNA computing in particular.
Prior to joining the WindowsReport team, she worked in the corporate world for a number of years.
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Madalina Dinita
Networking & Security Specialist
Madalina is a Windows fan since forever, especially interested in AI, emerging technologies, privacy, and security.
