How to fix Windows 10 and 11 search bar not finding apps or files

Restart the Windows Search process

If the search window is blank or freezes when typing, ending the background process makes Windows restart it.

1. Right-click an empty space on the taskbar.
2. Click Task Manager.

Keyboard shortcut: hold down the Ctrl key, the Shift key, and the Esc key all at the same time.

3. In Windows 10, click More details if in compact view.
4. In the Processes tab, right-click the SearchHost.exe (Windows 11) or SearchUI.exe (Windows 10) process and select End task.

Alternatively, right-click the Start button (Windows logo) on the taskbar and click Run, copy and paste the following command in the Run box, and press Enter to restart both processes via Command Prompt:

taskkill /F /IM SearchHost.exe /IM SearchIndexer.exe

If that doesn't fix it, restart your computer.

Check for updates

A Windows update may have fixed the search bug. Check for one before trying anything else.

• On Windows 11, go to Settings > Windows Update. On Windows 10, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
• On the right side of the Settings window, click Check for updates, then download and install any available updates.

Run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter

The built-in troubleshooter attempts to repair search issues automatically. If it hasn't run yet, you can trigger it manually:

1. Right-click the Start button (Windows logo) on the taskbar.
2. Click Terminal (Admin) (Windows 11) or Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin) (Windows 10).
3. Copy and paste the following command:

   
   msdt.exe -ep WindowsHelp id SearchDiagnostic
   
   

4. Press Enter.
5. When the Search and indexing troubleshooter appears, click Next.
6. Check Files, folders, apps, or settings don't appear in results.
7. Click Next.
8. Follow the on-screen prompts.

Rebuild the Windows search index

If Windows search can't find files or apps, the index may be corrupted. Rebuilding it deletes the old index and builds a new one.

1. Right-click the Start button (Windows logo) on the taskbar.
2. Click Run.

Keyboard shortcut: hold down the Windows key (the one with the Windows logo on it), then press the R key.

3. Type control.exe /name Microsoft.IndexingOptions in the Run box.
4. Press Enter to open Indexing Options.
5. Click the Advanced button at the bottom of the window.
6. Click Rebuild under Troubleshooting.
7. Click OK when Windows warns that rebuilding might take a long time to complete.

The indexing process runs quietly in the background. Search will work again once indexing completes.

Tip: In Windows 11, you can also open Indexing Options by going to Settings > Privacy & security > Search > Advanced indexing options. In Windows 10, you can open it by going to Settings > Search > Searching Windows > Advanced Search Indexer Settings under More Search Indexer Settings.

Reset Windows Search

Windows 10

1. Click the Start button (Windows logo) on the taskbar, or press the Windows key on your keyboard.
2. Right-click the search box or the Cortana icon (in older Windows 10 versions).
3. Hover over More and click App settings.
4. In the Cortana settings, click Reset.

Windows 11

1. Download ResetWindowsSearchBox.ps1 from the official Microsoft website.
2. Right-click the ResetWindowsSearchBox.ps1 file and select Run with PowerShell.
3. If asked to allow this app to make changes to your device, click Yes.

Use Microsoft PowerToys (temporary solution)

If Windows search is broken and you need something working right now, PowerToys includes its own search bar. Press Alt + Space to open it. It indexes apps and files separately from Windows search, so it works even when the built-in search is down.

Repair System Files (DISM & SFC)

System File Checker (SFC) is a built-in Windows tool that scans for and repairs corrupted system files.

1. Right-click the Start button (Windows logo) on the taskbar.
2. Click Terminal (Admin) (Windows 11) or Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin) (Windows 10).
3. Type (or copy and paste) the following command:

   
   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
   
   

4. Press Enter.
5. Wait for the verification to reach 100%. This process may take some time. It may appear stuck at around 60% for a few minutes. Do not close the window.
6. Once DISM is finished, type:

   
   sfc /scannow
   
   

7. Press Enter.
8. Wait for the scan to complete. SFC will report whether it found and repaired any corrupt files.
9. Restart your computer.

If SFC can't fix the corrupt files, see my guide on SFC unable to fix corrupt files.