The post information about windows search not working correctly. The Windows Start Menu search was easy– tiles and Cortana did not get in the way of you browsing your PC for the files you desire. Things got a little bit messy in Windows 10, however current updates have actually removed concerns like Cortana from the function, and the May 2019 update revamped the search interface, making your searches feel a bit more in-depth and granular.
With Cortana out, the Start menu search is a little bit more steady and less puffed up. Still, it can in some cases quit working, so we’re here to give some pointers on how to fix it. The article contains crucial facts about why windows search not working.
1. Disable the Processes through Task Manager
It goes without saying that first thing you must attempt is restarting your PC, but if that stops working, then it’s worth having a perusal of the Task Manager to see if you can restart the Search process in numerous ways.
Start by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc to leap directly into Task Manager, then click “More information” in the bottom left corner to get the complete view.
Initially, let’s reboot “Windows Explorer” process. Under that Processes tab, scroll it down to the Windows Explorer, right-click on it, and struck “Restart.” Have a moment of panic as it tries to find a second like your computer system might crash, then breathe a sigh of relief as you see that it’s still working, and your Start menu Search button is hopefully fixed!
If that hasn’t assisted, let’s target the Search app specifically. In Job Manager, click the Details tab, then scroll down up until you find “SearchApp.exe” and “SearchUI.exe”. Right-click them and click “End task”.
2. Re-install the Start Menu
There is a method to reinstall the Start menu, though this will also re-install other Windows apps that you may have uninstalled in the past, so don’t be surprised if you see a few additional apps on your OS after this.
To do this, press the Win + R, then type the powershell and after that press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open it as administrator.
When in Powershell, get in the following command quickly:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers|For each Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($ _. InstallLocation) \ AppXManifest.xml
Complete the process quickly, then your Start menu search ought to be working once again.
3. Roll Back Windows 10 Update
It’s frequently the case (as you’ll see throughout this list) that the Start menu search bar can stop working after a Windows 10 update. In some cases a service can be found despite the new Windows upgrade, however if you wish to play things safe, then you can constantly reverse the Windows 10 upgrade, taking you back to the last-updated variation of Windows 10.
To do this, go to the Windows Update (click on Settings -> then Update & Security -> Windows Update).
From here, click on “View update history -> Uninstall updates.”
In the list, organize quickly the updates by their “Installed On” date, right-click the most recent upgrade, then click Uninstall.
We’re constantly tracking the latest Windows 10 update problems, so visit this short article if you have associated concerns.
4. Enable the Background Applications
Ever since the Creator’s Update, there’s been a bug impacting some Windows 10 users, including the running of the Windows app in the background. Particularly, disabling the choice to “Let apps run in the background” in Windows 10 would have the unintended impact of rendering the Start menu search function ineffective.
The bug exists to this day, so you need to make certain that you have the “Let applications run in the background” master switch the set to “On”
In order to do this, go to the “Settings -> Privacy -> Background apps,” then you must make sure the “Let apps run in the background” the switch is set to “On” From this same screen, you can individually disable any and all Windows apps from running in the background, however it’s important to keep switch on.
5. Rebuild the Index.
There is a possibility that the search indexing files in your Windows Search have become damaged, for that reason disabling the Search function. Some people have actually reported this issue because the Windows 10 May Update (v1903) and the following as a possible option.
To solve this, you should attempt rebuilding the index, which must remove any necessary corruptions.
Go to the Control Panel quickly, switch on the “Large icons” at the top-right corner, then click on “Indexing Options -> Advanced”
Finally, click on the Rebuild in the Advanced Options window. Click OK on that pop-up that tells you this might take a while and wait for the process to finish.
6. Run Windows Troubleshooter.
The most basic solution is to utilize the tools developed into Windows to help you out. Given, this is far from a 100 percent option, however it’s a quick one, so it’s worth a shot.
1. Browse to that Control Panel. (Click on Start, then scroll down the Windows System folder, and you’ll find it there.).
2. Modification the view to “Large icons” or “Small icons” if it hasn’t been already, then click “Troubleshooting -> System and Security -> Search and Indexing.”
3. Click “Next” in the Troubleshooter, then inspect the box that applies to your problem (most likely “Files do not appear in search engine result,” though if your Windows Search is working, albeit gradually, you must tick that third box down).
4. Finally, click on Next to run the scan, which will immediately attempt to repair any issues.
7. Utilize the System File Checker.
Given that this is among the simplest things you can do to attempt and repair your Start menu search, we recommend trying it first. Open a raised Command Prompt (right-click Command Prompt, then “Run as administrator”), then type the following command:
sfc/ scannow
This will scan your system applies for any mistakes and corruptions and instantly attempt to fix them. Consider that the Start menu search is a system process, any mistakes in it must be found by utilizing the SFC energy.
In addition, running the SFC energy in Windows 10 Safe Mode might resolve the problem for you, so that’s worth a shot if doing it in regular Windows 10 stops working.
8. Disable/Restart the Third-Party Antivirus, Enable the Windows Firewall.
To be clear, we’re not recommending here that you must disable and entirely eliminate all third-party antivirus software application from your device, however based upon feedback here and throughout the Internet, certain programs trigger Windows Search to malfunction. Avast is culprit, so try uninstalling that if you have it, then find an alternative if requirement be. (Windows Defender itself has ended up being a feasible, secure alternative over the last few years.).
You could just try disabling your Avast guards briefly, which ought to get the Start menu search back. In the case of Avast a minimum of, when you switch the guards back on, the Start menu search may continue working as it should.
On the other hand, making it possible for Windows Firewall has also assisted some users. It appears that Search and indexing is unusually conscious your security settings, so tinkering around with them by making it possible for and disabling things might yield results.
9. Move or Rebuild the Swapfile.sys.
The Pagefile and the Swapfile are two inextricably linked and essential functions of Windows 10. The pagefile relieves the weight from your computer RAM by assigning a certain amount of hard disk drive space to operating as RAM needs to you run low on memory. The swapfile carries out the very same function however specifically for Modern Windows apps, so it’s more targeted in its scope.
Viewing as Cortana is a Modern Windows app, you can attempt restoring the Swapfile to kickstart it– and your Start menu search– back into action. This will involve rebuilding the Pagefile, as the Swapfile is directly depending on that Pagefile.
While we don’t suggest outright disabling the Pagefile, you can move it to another drive to effectively “reboot” it. Or, if you want it on the initial drive, you can easily disable it, reboot your Computer, then re-enable it after you have rebooted.
If your Start menu search still is not working after this, the next pointer is a good one to follow up with.
10. Inspect Windows Search Service.
This step explains why windows search not working correctly. Another reason your Start menu search might not be working is because the Windows Search service is not running. Windows Search service is a kind of system service and runs immediately on the system startup.
Examine whether the service is running by striking Win + R, typing services.msc, then scrolling down to discover it. If it says that “Running” in the Status column, it is running (certainly). If not, you’ll need to start it by hand.
Right-click “Windows Search” and after that click “Properties.”
In the Properties window, click the “Start” button to start the service. Likewise, make sure that the Startup type is set to “Automatic” or “Automatic (Delayed Start).” This makes sure that the service will immediately start at every system startup. As soon as you are done with modifications, click “OK.”
Once the service has been begun, this is what it looks like in your Services window. For me, this technique worked perfectly.
Is the Start Menu providing you difficulty beyond the Search button? Have a look at our more basic guide on how to repair a damaged Start menu in Windows 10.
11. Repair Windows Installation.
Prior to you start fretting that this will delete all your individual data and files, there’s a way to revitalize your Windows installation while keeping your essential information. It’s obviously still a more severe measure than some others on this list, so scroll down to other headings if you wish to try some other services initially.
First, develop a bootable Windows 10 setup disk or USB, then launch it. Follow the directions to upgrade your Windows 10 installation and make sure that on the “Prepared to set up” screen that you’ve picked the alternative to “Keep individual files and apps.” If it’s not selected by the default, click “Change what to keep,” then select the “Keep personal files and Window settings.” Click Install, and the most recent variation of Windows 10 will be set up while hanging on to all your information.
This will also re-install the core files responsible for the Start menu search and for that reason repair it.
12. Or Utilize “Everything” Instead.
It’s in fact an even more extensive search choice that Windows’ in-built alternative. It indexes your drive faster, the search method works by getting rid of and filtering search terms as you type, so you’re literally ‘narrowing down’ your search, and it’s super-lightweight at 0.5 MB, with a very little interface that nonetheless shows you everything you require.
I personally have long replaced the Windows search icon/bar with Whatever in my taskbar, and have even developed an Autohotkey script so it opens when I struck Win+ S.