File Explorer Search Capabilities not working

Question

I have a Windows 11 computer from Lenovo. All of a sudden over the weekend, the search capabilities of File Explorer stopped. I'm reindexing, but after 32,000 items, it is mostly frozen.

Answer 1

Hi Chris,

For method 1: This below picture is SearchHost, open TaskManager and write each words to find.

In method 2: Please be make sure you open PowerShell, not PowerShell(x86) or Command Prompt, there were different.

In method 3: Sorry I miss the right path. Please use this: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search. You can find the Data folder

Thanks

Answer 2

Hi Chris,

Your problem might be due to an indexing error or a frozen Windows Search device. The cause could be a folder loading issue. Try the following methods:

Method 1: Press Windows + R, then type services.msc. Find Windows Search, right-click and click restart.

Method 2: Restart the Search process. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager -> Details tab -> Find SearchHost.exe, then right-click and click End task.

Method 3: Open PowerShell and run:

Get-AppxPackage -Name MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS | Reset-AppxPackage

The last method is to go to C:\Users\<YourUser>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Search (replace your user folder name in the "YourUser>" field). Delete the Data folder, then restart your computer. Windows will then recreate the index from scratch (completely clean).

If this helps resolve your issue, feel free to mark the answer so others can benefit as well.

Have a nice day!

TV

Answer 3

Try the following steps in order, testing File Explorer search after each step:

1. Restart Windows Search-related services
   1. In the taskbar search box, type services.msc and open Services.
   2. Find Windows Search and make sure it is running and set to Automatic (Delayed Start). If it is stopped, start it.
   3. Find Windows Font Cache Service. Right-click it, select Stop, then try a search again. Afterwards, right-click it again and select Start.
2. Check for Windows updates
   1. Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
   2. Select Check for updates.
   3. Install any available updates and restart the device.
3. Rebuild the Windows Search index cleanly If indexing appears frozen around a certain number of items, rebuild the index:
   1. Select Start, type Indexing Options, and open it.
   2. Select Advanced.
   3. On the Index Settings tab, select Rebuild.
   4. Allow the rebuild to complete. This can take a long time and runs faster if the PC is idle; let it run outside active hours if possible.
4. Run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter
   1. Right-click Start and select Settings.
   2. Go to Privacy & security > Search (or Searching Windows via the provided button if available).
   3. Under Related settings, select Advanced indexing options.
   4. In Indexing Options, select Advanced > Troubleshoot search and indexing.
   5. Follow the wizard to detect and fix search/indexing issues.

If File Explorer itself will not open or continues to behave abnormally even after these steps, check for updates again and, as a last resort, use Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC (choosing the appropriate option for keeping files) as described in the File Explorer repair guidance.

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References:

• Fix problems in Windows Search
• Find lost files after upgrading Windows
• The OneDrive sync status icon incorrectly shows "syncing" in File Explorer
• Fix File Explorer if it won't open or start