How to Fix the Search Bar in Windows 10 (9 Fixes That Work)

When the Windows 10 search bar stops working, you might not be able to type in it, results may stay blank, the box may be missing from the taskbar, or searches may find nothing even for files you know exist. The cause is usually a stuck search process, a damaged search index, or a disabled setting, and most fixes take only a minute. This guide works through them from quickest to most thorough.

Quick Answer

Restart the search process first: open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), find Search on the Processes tab, right-click it, and choose End task. It restarts automatically. If that does not help, run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter in Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters, then rebuild the search index.

Match the Symptom to the Fix

Symptom	Try first
Cannot type in the search box	Restart Search or Windows Explorer (Fixes 1 and 2)
Search box is missing from the taskbar	Show the search box (Fix 3)
Results are blank or search closes immediately	Restart Search, run the troubleshooter (Fixes 1 and 4)
Files or apps are not found	Rebuild the index and check indexed locations (Fixes 5 and 6)
Nothing works	Check the Windows Search service, repair system files, update Windows (Fixes 7 to 9)

Fix 1: Restart the Search Process

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Click More details if needed.
2. On the Processes tab, find Search (it may also appear as SearchUI.exe or SearchApp.exe on the Details tab, depending on your version).
3. Right-click it and choose End task.
4. Click the search box again. The process restarts.

Fix 2: Restart Windows Explorer

The taskbar, including the search box, is part of Windows Explorer.

1. In Task Manager, find Windows Explorer on the Processes tab.
2. Right-click it and choose Restart. The taskbar briefly disappears and returns.

If both fixes fail, restart the whole PC. It sounds simple, but it resolves many search glitches, especially after updates.

Fix 3: Show the Search Box on the Taskbar

1. Right-click an empty area of the taskbar.
2. Hover over Search and choose Show search box (or Show search icon).

If the Search option is missing, the Use small taskbar buttons setting may be on, which hides the search box. Turn it off in Settings > Personalization > Taskbar. Tablet mode can also hide it.

Fix 4: Run the Search and Indexing Troubleshooter

1. Press Windows key + I and go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
2. Click Additional troubleshooters.
3. Click Search and Indexing, then Run the troubleshooter.
4. Select the problems you see, such as Can't start a search or see results or Files don't appear in search results, and follow the prompts.

Fix 5: Rebuild the Search Index

1. Open Control Panel (search is broken, so press Windows key + R, type control, and press Enter).
2. Switch View by to Large icons and open Indexing Options. Or press Windows key + R and type control srchadmin.dll.
3. Click Advanced, then under Troubleshooting, click Rebuild.
4. Click OK.

Rebuilding can take from several minutes to a few hours depending on how many files you have. Search results may be incomplete until it finishes, so leave the PC on.

Fix 6: Check What Is Being Indexed

1. Go to Settings > Search > Searching Windows.
2. Choose Classic to index your libraries and desktop, or Enhanced to index your whole PC (uses more battery and CPU while indexing).
3. Under Customize search locations, click to add any folders that are missing, or remove folders you do not need in Excluded folders.

Fix 7: Make Sure the Windows Search Service Is Running

1. Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Scroll to Windows Search and double-click it.
3. Set Startup type to Automatic (Delayed Start) and click Start if the service is stopped.
4. Click OK.

Fix 8: Repair System Files

1. Press Windows key + R, type cmd, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open Command Prompt as administrator.
2. Run sfc /scannow and wait for it to finish.
3. Then run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth.
4. Restart the PC.

Fix 9: Update Windows and Check Recent Changes

• Install updates in Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Microsoft has fixed several search bugs through updates.
• If search broke right after an update, check View update history > Uninstall updates, or use System Restore to return to an earlier point.
• Create a new user account to test. If search works there, your profile may be damaged.

Related: How to disable Windows Search.

Related: How to reset Group Policy in Windows 10.

Related: How to hide the search bar in Windows 10.

Related: Search for files in Windows 10.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I type in the Windows 10 search bar?

Usually the Search process is stuck. End it in Task Manager or restart Windows Explorer.

How long does rebuilding the index take?

It depends on the number of files. It can take a few minutes for a light PC and a few hours for large drives.

Will rebuilding the index delete my files?

No. It only recreates Windows' list of files for faster searching.

Can I use search without the taskbar box?

Yes. Press the Windows key and start typing, or press Windows key + S.

Summary

1. End the Search task or restart Windows Explorer.
2. Show the search box from the taskbar menu if it is missing.
3. Run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter.
4. Rebuild the index and review indexed locations.
5. Check the Windows Search service, repair system files, and update Windows.