If the search bar on your Windows 11 taskbar is not working, it is one of the most common problems that users experience and report. There are many simple ways you can fix this problem and this article shows how to go about with all of them. Here is how to fix Windows 11 search not working in your devices.

Fix: Windows 11 search not working

Option 1: Restart the PC

Simply click on the Power button in Star menu and select Restart.

Fix: Windows 11 search not working

This is the simplest yet probably effective solution you could try. Most likely, the issue will be resolved. If not, try the other fixes.

Option 2: Reset the PC

  1. In the Settings application, go to System > Recovery.
  2. Here, click on Reset PC button available against Reset this PC button.

Fix: Windows 11 search not working

  1. You will be asked whether you want to keep your files, select that option when they ask.
  2. Select Cloud Download when asked how you would like to reinstall Windows.

Now, simply follow the procedure to reinstall the entire system.

  1. Open Task Manager by right-clicking on the Windows icon and then selecting Task Manager.

Fix: Windows 11 search not working

  1. Go to the Details tab.
  2. Find SearchHost.exe and right click on it. Select End task.

Fix: Windows 11 search not working

  1. In the dialogue box that pops up, click on End process.

Fix: Windows 11 search not working

Option 4: Check for Windows updates

  1. Open the Settings app and go to Windows Update.
  2. Click on the Check for updates button in this page.

Fix: Windows 11 search not working

This will guide you to download and install latest updates if any in your device.

Option 5: Fix Windows 11 search not working using Search and Indexing Troubleshooter

  1. In the Settings app, go to System. Here, find Troubleshoot and click on it.

Fix: Windows 11 search not working

  1. Select Other troubleshooters.

Fix: Windows 11 search not working

  1. Find Search and Indexing here and click on the Run button next to it.

Fix: Windows 11 search not working

Option 6: Fix Windows 11 search not working using Enhanced Indexing

  1. Open the Settings app and go to Privacy & security.
  2. Go to Searching Windows.

Fix: Windows 11 search not working

  1. In the Find my files section, select Enhanced.

Fix: Windows 11 search not working

Windows 11 searches only through Documents, pictures, and music folders by default. With the Enhanced mode, that search will take place through the entire PC. This may also fix the problem at hand and is worth a try.

So, hope one of these solutions resolve the issue you are facing.

11 Comments

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  • virgo47tp

    Several of these options are no longer possible as of Aug 2023. For example, there is no searchhost.exe to run anymore.

  • John R.

    The specific ‘Other Troubleshooters’ option for Search and Indexing is no longer available (Windows 11 Pro 22H2)

  • Gurpal N

    Thanks for the help. Killing the SearchHost.exe process helped me recover the Windows search. I have Windows 11 Pro 23H2.

  • Kapil Arya

    ^^ Glad it helped 😊

  • David Lambert

    Option 5 does not work for me as there is no “Search and Indexing” troubleshooter listed on my system. Windows 11 Pro 23H2 build 22631.3155. However, I was able to end task for “SearchHost.exe” and that solved the problem.

  • Kapil Arya

    ^^ Glad issue is resolved 😎

  • Simon

    Gurpal N, thanks for the tip about killing Search host.exe, it fixed it, not even an restart fixed it.
    Thanks again.

  • Asaf Omer

    Hi, I have Win 11 Enterprise 23H2 Build 22621. When opening the tak manager, the Search.host does not exist there at all. If I hit the search bar, the Search.host pops up momentarily in the task manager but disappears after a second. Tried “catching” it and ending it, did not help. No other suggested solution helps.. did not try resetting windows, leaving it to last resort. Any other ideas?

  • Kapil Arya

    ^^ Looks like Search.host file is damaged. Run sfc /scannow command once.

  • The1Metallian

    This did it for me: Option 3, Find SearchHost.exe and right click on it. Select End task.

    Thanks!!

  • Kapil Arya

    ^^ Glad it helped 😎

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