8 Ways to Fix Search Not Working in Windows 11

Quick Tips

• A simple restart can sometimes resolve many system issues, including search functionality.
• Use the built-in troubleshooter by navigating to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters and running the Search and Indexing troubleshooter.
• If the search index is corrupted, rebuild it by going to Settings > Privacy & security > Searching Windows > Advanced indexing options and selecting Rebuild.

Fix 1: Restart Windows Search

Step 1: Press the Windows key and search for Services. Hit the Enter key.

Step 2: Scroll down to Windows Search.

Step 3: Right-click on it and select Restart.

Fix 2: Run Search and Indexing Troubleshooter

Microsoft offers a built-in Windows search troubleshooter tool to find and fix problems. Here’s how you can use it.

Step 1: Launch Windows Settings and go to the System menu. Select Troubleshoot.

Step 2: Open Other troubleshooters from the following menu.

Step 3: Scroll down and select Run beside Search and Indexing.

Windows runs the troubleshooter and helps you fix search issues on your computer.

Fix 3: Restart SearchHost Services

Step 1: Right-click on the Windows key on the taskbar and select Task Manager.

Step 2: Move to the Details tab.

Step 3: Scroll to the SearchHost.exe process.

Step 4: Right-click on it and select End task.

Try searching for something on your computer, and Windows should resume the search services.

Fix 4: Enhance Search Indexing

Are you having issues finding files within folders? Windows might use the classic indexing that only searches through Documents, Pictures, and Music folders. You need to make a tweak to the settings.

Step 1: Open the Windows Settings menu and select Privacy & Security from the sidebar.

Step 2: Select Searching Windows under the Windows permissions menu.

Step 3: Select the radio button beside Enhanced and close the menu.

From now on, Windows will search your entire PC. This might result in high CPU consumption and affect battery life.

Fix 5: Check Excluded Folders

The data won’t appear in search results if you have asked Windows not to search through specific folders. You can check the excluded folders and remove them if you want.

Step 1: Launch the Windows Settings menu and select Privacy & Security from the sidebar.

Step 2: Click on Searching Windows.

Step 3: Check excluded folders from search results. Select a three-dot menu beside a relevant folder and select Remove.

Windows can now search through all the removed folders on the computer.

Fix 6: Check Indexed Locations

When you have important files stored in C: drive or D: drive, you need to make sure Windows search can index through it.

Step 1: Press the Windows key and search for Indexing Options.

Step 2: Click on Modify.

Step 3: Enable the Local Disk drive and hit OK.

Fix 7: Rebuild Search Index

If none of the tricks work, try rebuilding the search index to fix the problem. It deletes and rebuilds the search index on your PC.

Step 1: Open Privacy & security in Windows Settings.

Step 2: Select Searching Windows.

Step 3: Click Advanced indexing options.

Step 4: Select Advanced.

Step 5: Click Rebuild and select OK.

Fix 8: Restart Run Menu

Rebooting the Run menu has worked for many to fix the search not working in Windows 11. It’s worth a try.

Step 1: Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run menu.

Step 2: Close it and hit the Windows key to start searching for files and apps.

FAQ on Search Not Working in Windows

You don’t need to remember the file location or make the taskbar crowded with dozens of apps and games. Use Windows search and access those apps and documents in no time.