Windows 10 is a feature-rich OS with lots of options. Thus, finding the desired option or setting in Windows 10 is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Perhaps, Microsoft understands it and this is the reason there is the search functionality. But, if the Windows 10 search is not working, then the users are bound to get frustrated.

If you are also troubled with Windows 10 search bar not working, then do not worry. We are here with the quickest fixes to resolve this issue. But, before moving on to them, first, let’s answer a common question of most of the users that why is Win 10 search not working.

Why is the Windows 10 Search not Working?

If the search in Windows 10 is not working, then the reason could be updating to the latest OS version. Moreover, the search assistant, i.e., Cortana might also be responsible for this issue. A buggy Cortana hampers the entire search functionality in Windows. However, a Cortana update for Windows 10 is around the corner.

Now that you know the reasons for Windows 10 search bar not working, uprooting the problem is easier. Next, we talk about the most straightforward and quickest fixes to uproot the Windows search problem.

How to Fix Windows 10 Search not Working ?

If the Windows 10 search is not working, then this may seem troublesome at the first instance. But, fixing this issue is not as tough as it appears. Below are the simple solutions for the search in Windows 10 not working.

1. Update drivers with Bit Driver Updater

Outdated drivers can cause the Windows 10 search not working issue. Thus, for solving the problems and making your PC run smooth, update drivers using Bit Driver Updater. This utility upgrades drivers in a flash resolve PC issues and give the PC’s performance the much-needed boost. Thus, follow the below steps to use Bit Driver Updater.

• Download and set it up.
  
• After the automatic PC scan completes, click on “Update Now” to update a single driver. To update all the drivers together, click on “Update All”.

Here’s the link to get this incredible utility and resolve all annoying errors.

2. Check for the Available Updates

Sometimes, simply updating the device resolves seemingly big problems in Windows such as search not working on Windows 10. Follow the steps below to upgrade Windows.

Step 1: Click on the Start icon

Step 2: Move to Settings and then select Update & security

Step 3: Click on Windows update and then choose Check for updates

Install the available update, if any. Lastly, restart the PC. Hopefully, this resolves Windows 10‘s cannot type in search box bug.

3. Launch the Search and Indexing Troubleshooter

The troubleshooter guides you to the exact cause of Windows 10 start search not working and help fix it. Below are the steps to run the troubleshooter and solve Windows 10 search problem

Step 1: Press ctrl and I keys simultaneously to open Settings

Step 2: Choose Update and security

Step 3: Select Troubleshoot from the menu that appears on the left

Step 4: Choose Search and indexing from the available options

Step 5: Click on Run the troubleshooter

On the next window that comes up on the screen, specify the problems you are facing. Lastly, click on Next and wait for the troubleshooter to fix Windows 10 search problem

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4. Use Restart Option

Sometimes, you need to restart the process that controls the search on Windows 10 to fix the issue. Here’re the simple steps to do it.

Step 1: Press Ctrl, Alt, and Del keys simultaneously and then choose Task Manager

Step 2: Move to the Details tab

Step 3: Right-click on exe and select End task from the menu that appears

Lastly, click on the end process button and wait for the process to restart. After it restarts, check whether the search in Windows 10 is still not working.

5. Reset the Windows search

Resetting the search feature can also resolve Win 10 search not working. The way to reset depends upon the Windows 10 version you are using. Confirm the Windows version and then follow the steps to reset the search option accordingly.

Resetting search in Windows 10 version 1903

To reset the search in the devices having Windows 10 version 1903, follow the below steps.

Step 1: Visit the Microsoft Download center

Step 2: Download “ResetWindowsSearchBox.ps1” script

Step 3: Save the file in your computer

Step 4: Right-click the saved file and choose Run with PowerShell

Step 5: Allow the app to make changes

Step 6: Once the reset process finishes and the word “Done” comes up, close the PowerShell window.

Resetting search in Windows 10 version 1809

Below are the steps to reset the search in devices having Windows 10 version 1809.

Step 1: Click on Start

Step 2: Open All apps and then right-click on Cortana

Step 3: Choose More from the menu that appears

Step 4: Select App settings

Step 5: Lastly, click on Reset

Once you complete the above steps, Windows 10 search not working problem vanishes. But, if it still rears its ugly head, then jump to the next solution.

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6. Disable the Bing integration

Sometimes, when the local Windows search is not working on Windows 10, removing Bing from search comes as a quick fix. Here’re the easy steps to disable the Bing integration.

Step 1: Click on Start and type regedit in the box

Step 2: Choose Registry Editor, i.e., the first result that comes up on the screen

Step 3: Move to the left sidebar of Registry Editor and double-click

HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionSearch

Step 4: Right-click on the search icon and then select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value

Step 5: Name the new search value as BingSearchEnabled

Step 6: Double-click the new value and open Properties

Step 7: Set the value data to 0 and click on OK

Step 8: Locate and double-click on Cortana Consent

Step 9: Open the Cortana Consent’s properties and set the value data to 0.

Now, the Windows 10 search not working gets resolved and shows at least the local results.

7. Switch Cortana off and then turn it on

Turning Cortana off and on helps magically resolve the this problem. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Launch the Task Manager

Step 2: Move to the Processes tab and locate Cortana

Step 3: Right-click on Cortana and choose End task from the menu that comes up.

Above were the quickest ways to fix Windows 10 search not working. Hopefully, you are not facing this troublesome situation anymore. But, if it still troubles you, then maybe it is the time to update device drivers. We would suggest you get the best driver updater, i.e., Bit Driver Updater to update all the outdated, missing, and faulty drivers in a single click. Lastly, before leaving, do not forget to subscribe to Innovana Blogs for more such fixes for Windows problems and other tech updates.