Search bar not working, Windows 11 24H2

Question

HI, All Windows 11 24h2 search bar not working, can't type in the search, search in file explorer is working. I have tried many of the current fixes without luck, and I prefer not to do a fresh install.

Answer 1

Hi Christine,

Thank you for following up. I have not had the opportunity to proceed with this; I could not afford the downtime, but can you confirm that I will not have to reinstall all of my apps and settings via this method? And after the install, and possibly many reboots, will my system have all of the same apps and settings?

Answer 2

Hi BriancBurgess,

How are you? I hope you're having an awesome day.

By the way, I haven't received any response from you. Just wanna make sure that everything is working fine on your end? Please let me know if you still need assistance, I'll be happy to assist.

Thank you,

Christine

Answer 3

Thanks for updating me. Please try to perform an in place upgrade. In place upgrade will install the new features or updates of Windows it will also fix corrupted system files. Kindly check the steps below:

Video on how to perform in place upgrade:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAOwN68AInE&amp...

Please go to https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-downlo...

Look for Download Windows 11 Disk Image and select Windows 11 (multi-edition ISO)

• Once you're able to download the ISO, please right click and open it
• Please look setup.exe and run it
• Select yes if you will will be asked for User Control
• Choose Next to Continue
• Please read the License Agreement and once done, hit Accept
• Please wait until the setup program is done and it will check if your device space is enough for the update
• You will see the Ready to install page, please MAKE SURE that Keep personal files and apps has been checked.
• Lastly, click INSTALL and follow the prompt.
• It will restart your device several times, please wait for it to finish.

This may take sometime depends on your connection or the performance of your device.

Please let me know the result.

Thank you,

Christine

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Answer 4

Hello, thank you for your quick response.

The problem started or was first noticed about 2 months ago, I have run all of the listed with no result.

Answer 5

Hi BriancBurgess,

I'm Christine, I'll be happy to assist you. It looks like your Search bar is not working, usually this issue occurs due to indexing problem. No worries, I'll do my best to help you.

May I know when did the issue start? Is there any changes made before you got this issue?

Please check and follow the steps below:

1. Please check Windows update

Please open the Settings, choose Windows update and click Check for Updates.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ins...

2. Right click on start menu and choose Task Manager

Click Details Tab and end the task of explorer.exe

Then click Run New Task and type explorer.exe and hit enter

Please check if the issue persists.

3. Run the Troubleshooter for Search and Indexing

Please press Windows key +R and paste the command below and hit enter

msdt.exe -ep WindowsHelp id SearchDiagnostic

Please follow the prompt and check if the issue persists.

4. . Please try to run the sfc scannow to check if there's a corrupted system file. Kindly follow the steps from the link below:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/usi...

Please let me know the result. I'll be happy to assist you all the way until it's resolved.

Thank you,

Christine L

Independent Advisor