Why Does My Windows 10 Search Not Work?

We all want a system that works as it supposed to. Working out the bugs is part of any system's lifetime. Windows 10 search not working could be one of such glitches. The reason behind this glitch might be caused by the recent updates and Windows 10 search problems may happen for other reasons.

The Windows Search is a rather useful feature that lets users find apps, photos, files, videos and other items on their computer quickly. However, the Windows 10 Search feature may stop working, making it difficult to find different items.

The issue of a Windows Search not working is usually caused by a software problem. If this is the case, then you need to restart the system. Other possible causes for this include a service interruption on the search system or a network related issue.

Luckily, this problem can be fixed by various methods as we will see below.

Method 1: Restart Your Computer

Restarting your computer is a basic solution for fixing a broken search on Windows 10. This is because it boots up your operating system and resets the files and temporary configurations.

Follow these steps to restart your computer:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows key. This will open the start menu.
2. The next step is to open the Power menu. To do this, click the Power icon located on the bottom left side.
3. You will be provided with three options: Sleep, Shut down, and Restart. Click on the Restart option.
4. This will do a fresh boot for your system. Check to see if the search issue has disappeared.

Method 2: Fix Windows Search Problem Using Troubleshooter

If you are not able to restart your device to solve the issue, consider using a Troubleshooter. This can be done with the Settings app or Command Prompt.

Follow these methods to repair using the Settings app:

1. Click on the Windows icon at the bottom left, then click on the gear icon to open Settings.
2. On the Settings tab, go to Update and Security then click on Troubleshoot.
3. Under Troubleshoot, locate the Search and Indexing option and select Find and Fix problems with Windows search.
4. Click or tap the Run the troubleshooter button.
5. You will be provided with a list of options that best describe your problem. Check the box of problems that apply to your situation and click Next.
6. You will then be notified that the troubleshooting is over. Click close to exit the Search and Indexing tab.

Still on troubleshooting, you can fix the Windows search using the command prompt. Here is how:

1. Open the Run command by pressing Windows key + R
2. Type cmd as the command and click OK.
3. To open the troubleshooter, type “msdt  -ep WindowsHelp id SearchDiagnostic.”
4. Then, click or tap the Advanced option.
5. On the bottom of the Search and Indexing tab, find the option that lets you automatically apply repairs and check its box.
6. Click Next and options describing your problem will appear. Choose the one that applies to you and click Next.
7. Complete the directions provided if appropriate.

Method 3: Rebuild Search Index

The search index is an index for all files stored in your computer and is used by the search feature to retrieve files. However, search-related issues can occur when the index gets damaged. Here is how to rebuild the search index:

1. Open the Run command by pressing the Windows + R keys simultaneously. Then type Control Panel and click Ok or hit Enter.
2. When the search control panel opens, go to the View by menu at the top left side and choose Small icons.
3. Navigate to the Indexing Options and click on it.
4. On this tab, look for the Advanced button and click on it.
5. Then click or tap the Rebuild button. This will rebuild the search index.

Method 4: Windows Update

Updates that have recently been released for Windows 10 are likely to cause an issue with the Windows search. The latest Windows 10 update may include a fix for the search issue. Use these steps to update your Windows:

1. Go to Settings and click on Update & Security.
2. Click on Windows Update.
3. Then, find the Check for Updates button and click on it.
4. Click or tap the Restart now button to update your computer.

Summary: Why does my Windows 10 search not work?

• A search box is a common element of an interface that allows the user to find or navigate to a control within an application or operating system (OS).
• You will find it on your home page, in the taskbar and in the start menu.
• In order to use it, you need to type in what you are looking for.
• Sometimes, the Windows 10 search not working can be caused by a glitch in the API.
• This means that while your query was submitted, it just didn't find anything.
• This could be caused by issues such as indexing, permission settings and privacy concerns.
• It could also be because you may have used an uncommon word or character combination that isn't part of your local language's alphabetical list.
• It may also be because you had something typed incorrectly so it is not searchable.
• When this happens you will know because the search field will turn into a magnifying glass and a red X will appear on the right hand side of your tool bar.
• If this is happening to you then you most likely need to restart your computer for this fix to take effect.

Conclusion

If your Windows search is not working for whatever reasons, try the methods above to help resolve the issue. These fixes are standard and can be applied to solve common issues with the Windows 10 search.