Issue with Windows Search Bar Not Loading

Question

Issue with Windows Search Bar Not Loading

Hello Microsoft Support Team,

I am writing to report a frustrating issue with my Windows Search bar that started recently.

Previously, I cleared my NVIDIA cache by deleting the files inside the DxCache, GLCache, and OptixCache folders. Immediately after doing this, I restarted my PC once because a game I was playing was lagging quite a bit. After the computer booted up, the Search Bar immediately started having problems.

Currently, my Search Bar cannot load any information at all. Every time I try to search for something, it just shows a continuous loading bar. The space where the icons should appear is completely blank—there are no names, no separator lines, absolutely nothing. It seems like it is not processing anything.

I have already tried several troubleshooting methods on my own, including:

Rebuilding the Search Index

Running repair commands via PowerShell

Completely uninstalling and reinstalling my NVIDIA drivers

Unfortunately, none of these methods have worked. Is there a definitive solution to fix this issue?

I hope to hear from you soon. Please help me resolve this.

Thank you, User's image

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2 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

This issue can be caused by corrupted system files. Before trying any repairs, back up your important data to an external drive or USB flash drive, in rare cases, repair attempts can make the system unusable. After you’ve backed up, repair Windows by performing an in-place upgrade (installing the same Windows version). This reinstalls Windows, repairs system files and components, and preserves your apps, files, and settings. Follow the instructions provided by Microsoft at the link below:https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/install-upgrade/fix-issues-by-reinstalling-the-current-version-of-windows

Let me know if the issue persists or if you run into any problems during the process.

Answer 2

Since rebuilding the index, running PowerShell repair commands, and reinstalling the NVIDIA driver already did not help, use the Windows Search recovery steps that directly target the Search component itself.

Check for Windows updates Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates. Install any available updates, then restart the PC.
Run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter Open Command Prompt and run:
```
   msdt.exe -ep WindowsHelp id SearchDiagnostic
```
Select the symptoms that match the issue. This troubleshooter can reset Windows Search to the default experience.
Restart the Windows Search process
- Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and open Task Manager.
- Select Details.
- Right-click SearchUI.exe on Windows 10 and choose End task.
- Confirm End process. The next search attempt starts Windows Search again automatically.
Verify the Windows Search service is running If indexing or search is stuck, open Services.msc, find Windows Search, and confirm:
- Status: Running
- Startup Type: Automatic (Delayed Start)
Reset Windows Search On Windows 10 version 1903 or later, reset Windows Search with the official PowerShell reset script.
- Open an elevated PowerShell window and run:
```
     Get-ExecutionPolicy
```
- If the result is not Unrestricted, run:
```
     Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted
```
  This changes script execution behavior and shows a security warning.
- Download ResetWindowsSearchBox.ps1 from Reset Windows Search PowerShell script.
- Right-click the saved file and select Run with PowerShell.
- When Done appears, if the execution policy was changed earlier, restore it:
```
     Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser -ExecutionPolicy <PreviousValue>
```
If Search is still blank or endlessly loading, regenerate the Search package data This is a higher-risk step because it includes deleting a registry key and package data. Back up the registry first.
- Confirm whether Windows Search works in a newly created Windows account.
- Sign out and use another account, or use Windows Recovery Environment.
- Delete: %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy
- Open Registry Editor and go to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search
- Delete the Search registry key.
- Open elevated PowerShell and run:
```
     Add-AppxPackage -Path "C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy\Appxmanifest.xml" -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register
```
- Restart the PC.

If the issue started immediately after the restart and the Search UI is now just a blank loading panel, steps 5 and 6 are the most targeted fixes in the documented guidance.