Windows 10 is Microsoft's most feature-rich operating system to date, which is great until a problem appears that prevents you from taking advantage of one of its features. In this case we focus on the most common problems that can make the Windows 10 search engine stop working, we explain the best solutions.
Restart the computer
This is the most basic advice, and the first solution for most Windows errors. If you haven't tried restarting your device, please do so, as a simple system restart can fix a myriad of problems. It is better to perform a restart than a shutdown , as shutdowns can occasionally send the PC into hibernate mode, rather than shutting it down and on completely.
Try the Windows troubleshooter
Microsoft's Windows troubleshooter may not be able to fix every problem you run into, but it can often point you in the right direction so that you can at least pinpoint what the real problem might be. The same goes for the issues that make the Windows 10 search bar not working.
You can access the Windows 10 troubleshooter by following these steps:
- Open the Windows 10 settings menu by pressing Ctrl + I on your keyboard.
- Select "Updates & Security" from the Settings menu.
- Select "Troubleshoot" from the menu on the left.
- Scroll through the list of options and select "Search and Indexing."
- Click on the "Run the troubleshooter" button.
After that, a new window will appear in which you will be asked what the specific search problem you are facing. Follow the instructions on the screen and the troubleshooter will try to figure out the problem (s) you are facing.
Check that the search service is working
The Windows search service may have been disabled for some reason.
To reactivate it, or confirm that it continues to work, follow these steps:
- Press Windows key + R to open the run window, then type "Services.msc" before hitting Enter.
- When the Services window appears, scroll through the list of services to find Windows Search and double-click on the option.
- If it is already running, click the right mouse button and then select "Restart." If it's disabled or has a blank status, click Start.
If this fixes the problem, you will need to make sure that the service runs automatically when Windows starts. To do this, click the right button again or double click.
In the General section, select the drop-down menu next to Startup type. Select "Automatic."
Rebuild Windows 10 Search Indexing Options
It is also possible that Windows 10 has forgotten where certain files and folders are. To help you remember, you can rebuild the indexing options from the Control Panel.
- In the Control Panel select "Indexing Options" from the main menu icons.
- Click the "Advanced Options" button. Give admin approval to continue.
- Select "Rebuild", and then OK.
The rebuild process may take a short time to complete , depending on the size of the drive and how full it is.
Have you managed to solve the problem with these steps?