Are you experiencing problems with the search function on your Windows 10 computer? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many users encounter issues where the search feature stops working as intended. In this guide, we will walk you through some troubleshooting steps to help you fix the ‘Windows 10 Search Not Working’ issue.
Why is Windows 10 Search Not Working?
There could be various reasons why the search function in Windows 10 stops working. It could be due to a faulty update, corrupt system files, or issues with the search index. Let’s explore some possible solutions.
Remove Bing from Windows 10 Search
If you are experiencing search issues related to Bing search integration, you can disable it temporarily. Here’s how:
- Press the Windows key + R shortcut on your keyboard.
- Type regedit and press Enter.
- Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionSearch.
- Right-click in the right panel, select New, then DWORD value (32 bits).
- Name the new value BingSearchEnabled and set its value to 0.
- Double-click on the BingSearchEnabled entry and make sure the value is 0.
- Create another DWORD value (32 bits) named CortanaConsent and set its value to 0.
- Restart your computer.
This should disable Bing search integration and bring back the basic search functionality. You can undo these changes once the search is working correctly.
Fix Search Using Troubleshooter
Fix Search with Settings
If the search function is still not working, you can try using the built-in troubleshooter. Here’s how:
- Open Settings.
- Click on Update & Security.
- Click on Troubleshoot.
- Under the “Find and fix other problems” section, select Search and indexing.
- Click on the Run the troubleshooter button.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process.
Once the troubleshooter finishes, the search feature should start working again.
Fix Search with Command Prompt
If the troubleshooter doesn’t resolve the issue, you can try running it using Command Prompt. Here’s how:
- Press the Windows key + R shortcut on your keyboard.
- Type cmd and click OK.
- Type the command msdt -ep Windows SearchDiagnostic and press Enter.
- Click on the Advanced option.
- Check the Apply repairs automatically option.
- Click on the Next button.
- Select the issues that best describe your situation.
- Click on the Next button.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process.
This method uses Command Prompt to launch the troubleshooter with advanced options. It can help resolve more complicated search issues.
Rebuild the Search Index
If none of the above methods work, you can try rebuilding the search index. Here’s how:
- Open Settings.
- Click on Search.
- Click on Searching Windows.
- Click on the Advanced Search Indexer Configuration option.
- Click on the Advanced button.
- Go to the Index Settings tab.
- In the “Troubleshooting” section, click the Rebuild button.
- Click OK.
This will initiate the rebuilding process for the search index. It may take some time, but it should help fix any issues with the search function.
Update Windows 10
Updating your Windows 10 to the latest version can often resolve search-related issues. Here’s what you can do:
- Open Settings.
- Click on Update & Security.
- Click on Windows Update.
- Click on the Check for updates button.
- If there are any updates available, click on the Restart now button to start the update process.
Make sure your device is connected to the internet and has enough storage space for the update. After the update is complete, check if the search function is working properly.
Conclusion
If you’re facing the ‘Windows 10 Search Not Working’ issue, don’t worry. By following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this guide, you should be able to resolve the problem and get your search function back on track. Remember to try each method until you find the one that works for you. Good luck!
