Windows Spotlight is not working on Windows 11

Question

I have tried everything I have found on Google search but I cannot seem to get my Windows Spotlight to work again. It initially worked when I first factory reset my laptop but after a windows update it stopped working and I am not sure why.

I tried reaching out to the laptop manufacture and they did some troubleshooting but they said it does not seem to be on their end s it may be a Windows update that caused the issue.

Does anyone have any idea of how to fix it that is different from what I find on Google with the AppData folders and running the terminal script?

Answer 1

Hello,

Do you use a local account in Windows and do you use OneDrive? Then it's a known bug that affects a lot of users. I'm also affected since months. Several clean installs of Windows didn't help. Known workarounds do not work. User Danilo Bonamoneta discovered the problem is related to the use of a local account in Windows in combination with OneDrive and Windows Spotlight. I think he's right. He wrote in a post:

'I discovered that the problem is related to logging into OneDrive. If you delete your Microsoft account credentials from the Credential Manager, and also delete all the cache files in this path "%localappdata%\Microsoft\TokenBroker\Cache", Spotlight starts working again, but OneDrive, if it is still connected, will work for a few hours after which it will ask you to re-enter your credentials, creating the block again. The alternative is to enter the credentials into the Windows account, since the problem only occurs if the Windows user is a local account. Has Microsoft decided to block the functionality for those who do not use a Microsoft account in Windows? They have been pushing for a long time to prevent the use of local accounts.'

Answer 2

La única solución que me funcionó a mi, fue volver a instalar windows desde cero.

Answer 3

Hello Cortes, here's a slightly different approach that has helped other users:

Go to Settings > Personalization > Lock screen, and temporarily switch the background from Spotlight to Picture.

Restart your device, then go back and switch it back to Windows Spotlight.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run: sfc /scannow — this will check for and repair any corrupted system files.

Also, ensure that the Windows Shell Experience Host process is running properly in Task Manager.

Sometimes, Spotlight issues are tied to system file integrity or background service glitches after updates. If this resolves the issue, feel free to hit “Accept Answer” so others can benefit too 😊