The Windows 10 search allows you to easily search files in your computer.

However, sometimes the Windows search does not function as intended.

If your Windows search is not working and you are looking for a solution, this post is for you.

There can be many reasons as to why the Windows search is not working.

Here are 5 solutions which target different underlying causes of Windows 10 search not working.

Since you do not know the exact cause for Windows 10 search not working, you can start with the first solution in this post.

If it does not work for you move to next solution and so on, until you’re able to solve the problem.

Solution One – Restart your PC

The “Windows Search not working” issue might be a temporary one. Restarting windows might fix it.

If you used the hibernate option, there is a possibility your PC did not shut down the last time.

In such a case, when you start the PC, it only wakes from hibernation (not regular booting of Windows) and that might trigger this error.

You need to shut down or restart the PC by pressing the restart button on your desktop.

Laptop users can follow the steps below.

• Click Start
• Click the Power Options
• Click Restart

After rebooting your PC, check whether Windows 10 search is working.

If your issue remains unresolved, move to next solution.

Solution Two- Restart Cortana Process

If you look at the Windows architecture, each functionality in Windows is controlled by one or more Windows process.

In Windows 10, the Cortana process is related to Windows search.

In some cases, even though the Cortana process is running in the background, the Windows search does not function normally.

In such event, restarting the Cortana process can get Windows 10 search up and running.

Here are steps to restart Cortana process.

• Go to Desktop
• Right-click on empty space on the taskbar
• From the menu, click Task Manager
• Go to Processes tab
• Press C on the keyboard and search for Cortana process in the list
• Right-click on Cortana and click End Task

• Now press S on the keyboard and search for the Search process
• If you find Search process, right-click on it and click End Task
• Close Task Manager and return to the desktop

After you manually end the Cortana and Search process, Windows OS will start these processes almost instantly.

Now check whether Windows 10 search is working.

If this solution has not worked for you, move to the next solution.

Solution Three – Check Windows search service

The Windows search service should be running for Windows 10 search to work.

You need to check the status of the Windows search service and make necessary changes.

Here are the steps to follow.

• Press Windows logo key and R simultaneously on the keyboard to invoke Run command box
• In the Run command box, type services.msc and click OK
• In the Services window, look for Windows search service and right-click on it
• Click Properties

• In the Properties window, go to Startup type section and select Automatic from the drop-down list

• Click OK to save changes
• Close all windows and restart your computer

After rebooting check Windows search service.

If it is still not working, move to the next solution.

Solution Four- Rebuild Search Index

Windows indexes your files so that Windows search functionality can search and present you the files you need.

While you use your computer, the operating system continues to index files you create.

There is a possibility the search index might have become corrupt, which might explain the error.

In such cases, rebuilding windows search index is an easy solution.

Here are the steps to follow.

• Right-click Start Menu and select Control Panel
• In the Control Panel window, set the View by to Small icons
• Click Indexing Options

• In the next window, click Advanced

• In the Advanced options window, go to Troubleshooting section and click Rebuild

• When you see the notification pop-up of Rebuild Index, click OK to continue

Windows will now start building the Windows search index from scratch.

It is difficult to tell the time required to complete the rebuilding of the Windows search index. This depends on how many files the system need to index.

Check if the Windows search is working. If the issue persists, move to the last solution.

Solution Five- Run Troubleshooter

Windows has in-built Troubleshooter tool that can fix most Windows functionality related issues.

Here are the steps to run Windows Troubleshooter.

• Press Windows logo key and R together on the keyboard to invoke Run command box
• In the Run command box, type control and click OK
• In the Control Panel window, make sure the View by is set to Small icons. If not make click the down arrow beside View by and select Small icons from the list
• Click Troubleshooting
• In the next window, look for View all option in the left pane and click on it

• In the next window, click Search and indexing

• Click Next

• In the next window, you will see a list of problems related to Windows search. Select the ones that apply in your case

• After ticking the option, click Next
• Wait for the troubleshooting process to complete.

We are confident you would be able to resolve the Windows search not working issue by following one of the solutions given below.

If none of the solutions has worked for you, we suggest you update Windows 10 drivers.

The easiest way to update Widows drivers is by using a reliable driver update tool.

Automatic driver update tools offer many benefits, the most important ones being:

• You can update device drivers automatically
• The software scans and updates all outdated or missing drivers at one go
• The tool picks the right drivers for your device and operating system, so you won’t have to worry about installing an incorrect driver by mistake
• Automatic driver updates are 100% safe

Driver Updater is one of the best driver update tools out there. Outbyte Driver Updater will give you access to a database of over 1 million drivers. It will regularly scan your PC, suggesting new driver versions to install. Driver Updater contains drivers for a variety of Windows devices. With just one click, you can update drivers in your system.

Step 1
Click here to Install and launch the app

Step 2
Scan all devices

Step 3
Install or update drivers automatically

 

Start Download