Issues with using Search bar not working on Windows 10 - Microsoft Community

Issues with using Search bar not working on Windows 10

My Windows search tool stopped working. This is a clean install on a brand new build, using Windows 10 full version. What now?

Original Title : Windows 10 Search box

Question Info

Replies (15) 

* Please try a lower page number.

* Please enter only numbers.

* Please try a lower page number.

* Please enter only numbers.

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

To better assist you, please answer the following questions:

1. What exactly do you mean by "stopped working"?
2. What happens when you click on the search bar?

3. Do you receive any error message?

This could be due to some issues with the “Windows Search” service on the computer and due to which Windows is not able to start this service.

I would suggest you to try the methods below and check if it helps.

Method 1: Search and indexing troubleshooter

If you haven’t tried the “Search and Indexing” Troubleshooter, then I would suggest you to try that first and let’s know the details. You may also try its suggestions and check the status.

1. Press Windows Key +R

2. Type control and press enter to open control panel.

3. Type troubleshooting in the control panel search box and open it.

4. Click "view all" on the left pane.

5. Run the Search and indexing troubleshooter and follow the on-screen instructions.
Method 2: Restart Windows Search Service

Try restarting Windows search service by following the steps below and check if it helps.

1. Press Windows + R key, type services.msc and press enter.

2. Right click Windows Search and stop the service.

3. Right click again and start the service.

4. Right click and select Properties

5. Change the startup type to automatic and save the changes.

Let us know the result.

2 people were helped by this reply

Did this solve your problem?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for marking this as the answer.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this response?

Thanks for your feedback.

Did this solve your problem?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for marking this as the answer.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this response?

Thanks for your feedback.

We appreciate your interest in Windows 10.

Thank you for letting us know that you are not facing the issue at the moment.

Let us know if the issue arise, we will be glad to help.

Did this solve your problem?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for marking this as the answer.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this response?

Thanks for your feedback.

1 person was helped by this reply

Did this solve your problem?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for marking this as the answer.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this response?

Thanks for your feedback.

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community.

I understand that you are facing issues with using Search bar on Windows 10. We apologize for the inconvenience caused to you.

The issue could occur if there is change in system settings.

To assist you better, please provide us the below information:

• When you say that "My search bar stopped working and despite all of the "fixes" suggested", what are the troubleshooting steps which you have performed to resolve the issue?


• Are you getting any error message when you click on Search bar?


• Have you install any third party security software on the computer?

Method 1: I suggest you to refer to the suggestion provided in the below Microsoft Help Article and check if it helps.

Method 2: Also I recommend you to boot the computer in safe mode and check if the issue is occurring in it or not.

Start your PC in safe mode in Windows 10

Reply to us with the information, so that we can assist you better.

Let us know if you need any further assistance on Windows related issues and we will be glad to help.

Did this solve your problem?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for marking this as the answer.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this response?

Thanks for your feedback.

I'm not getting any error message. I click on the search bar and nothing happens, or else there's a little blue circle that is displayed for like half a second, then it's gone.

I tried BOTH Method 1 and Method 2. Neither worked.

Method 1, tried all suggestions, NO remedy.

Method 2, search bar DOES NOT work in new user account.

Again, I'm not getting any error messages, the search bar simply does not work.

The search bar was working up until about two weeks ago or possibly a little before that (I lose track of time), then one day it just wasn't working anymore. I've not installed any new software. The only thing new might be the updates from Windows 10.

1 person was helped by this reply

Did this solve your problem?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for marking this as the answer.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this response?

Thanks for your feedback.

I tried both Method 1 and Method 2, neither worked.

In Method 1, I tried all suggestions previously, none worked.

Method 2, I had already tried previously as well. Initially I couldn't create a new user, had to get a workaround from this site. Finally created a new user, but the search bar still DOES NOT WORK.

I'm not getting any error messages when I try to use the search bar. All that happens (if anything) is that sometimes I'll see a small blue circle appear momentarily (for like half a second), then it's gone.

Did this solve your problem?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for marking this as the answer.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this response?

Thanks for your feedback.

Thank you for your response with the current status of the issue.

Refer to the below methods and check if it helps.

Method 1 : I suggest you to temporarily disable or uninstall the antivirus and check if it helps.

Disable Anti virus:

NOTE: Antivirus software can help protect your computer against viruses and other security threats. In most cases, you shouldn't disable your antivirus software. If you have to temporarily disable it to install other software, you should re-enable it as soon as you're done. If you're connected to the Internet or a network while your antivirus software is disabled, your computer is vulnerable to attacks.

If the issues still persist, refer to the below method.

Method 2 : I suggest you to perform a System File Checker of the Computer and check if it helps.

System File Checker is a utility in Windows that allows users to scan for corruptions in Windows system files and restore corrupted files.

1. Right click on Start Menu.

2. Click on Command Prompt (Admin).

3. Then type ” sfc /scannow ” without the quotes and hit on Enter Key.

Let us know if you need any further assistance on Windows related issues and we will be glad to help.