The Windows Search bar in Windows 10 and 11 can appear unresponsive for several reasons. For example, it could be due to a buggy instance of Windows Explorer, a broken search index, or a corrupt user account. We’ll show what you must do so that you can go back to typing into the Windows Search box normally again.
1. Restart Windows Explorer
Restarting Windows Explorer is the best way to fix unexpected glitches and other anomalies with the Windows user interface. To do that: The taskbar and the desktop will briefly disappear as Windows Explorer reboots itself. You can exit the Task Manager after that.
2. End Windows Search and Cortana Processes
If Windows Search continues to fail to work, force-quit the Search and Cortana processes in Windows and check if that makes a difference.
3. Restart the Windows Search Service
Continue by restarting the background service that manages Windows Search. To do that:
4. Restart Your Computer
Have you tried restarting your computer yet? Sometimes, that’s all it takes to fix weird problems like an unresponsive Windows Search box, so just open the Start menu, select the Power icon, and choose Restart. If there are any unfinalized updates, select Update and restart.
5. Run Search and Indexing Troubleshooter
Windows 10 and 11 have a built-in Search and Indexing troubleshooter that automatically finds and fixes underlying issues with Windows Search. To run it:
6. Run the CTF Loader
CTF Loader is the service that manages the Alternative User Input and the Office Language in Windows 10 and 11. Running it tends to fix the Windows Search bar for lots of people. C:\Windows\system32\ctfmon.exe
7. Always Run CTF Loader at Startup
If the method above fixes the unresponsive Windows Search bar, but the problem recurs after a system reboot, try forcing the CTF Loader to launch at startup with this workaround. C:\Windows\system32\ shell:common startup
8. Rebuild the Indexing Services in Windows
Next, rebuild the Windows Search indexing services via the Control Panel in Windows. To do that:
9. Re-register All Microsoft Store Apps
Re-registering all Microsoft Store apps on your Windows PC is another known way to fix a freezing Windows Search bar. The following steps will help you with that. $manifest = (Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.WindowsStore).InstallLocation + ‘\AppxManifest.xml‘ ; Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $manifest
10. Update Windows to Latest Version
If you still can’t type into the Windows Search bar, consider updating your Windows 10 or 11 installation. A newer operating system version could contain an update that fixes the problem permanently.
11. Check Your Computer for Malware
Malicious software and computer viruses can hijack components like Windows Search. Check your computer for malware with the built-in Windows Security utility if the issue persists.
If nothing shows up on the scan results, follow up with a Microsoft Defender Offline scan. Or, use a dedicated malware removal utility like Malwarebytes to perform a thorough sweep for malware.
12. Run the System File Checker
The SFC (System File Checker) is a built-in Windows command-line tool that fixes possible corruption issues in the operating system. Running it could get the Windows Search bar responsive again. sfc /scannow
13. Perform a DISM Scan
After running the System File Checker, it’s a good idea to follow up with a DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) scan to improve system stability. To run it, type the following into an elevated Command Prompt console and press Enter: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth
14. Create a New Windows User Account
On rare occasions, profile corruption issues can play a factor and stop Windows Search from working. Create a new Windows user account to test that. If the Windows Search bar is working normally, learn how to switch to the new Windows user account permanently.
15. Reset Windows 10/11 to Factory Defaults
If none of the fixes above help, you’re dealing with a deeper system-related problem that only resetting Windows to its factory default settings can rectify. Back up the data on your PC before you begin. For detailed instructions, check our complete guides to factory resetting Windows 10 and Windows 11.
You Can Type In the Windows Search Bar Again
An unresponsive Windows Search bar is an annoying issue to run into, but it’s also something that’s not hard to resolve. If the easier fixes don’t help, the other solutions in this post definitely will. Do share what works for you in the comments below.
