Windows 11 Search Bar Not Working | Easy-to-Fix Guide

If you're experiencing problems with the Windows 11 search bar not working, you're not alone. Many Windows users rely on this feature to quickly find files and programs on their device. However, after upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11, you may encounter a disabled search bar.

There are several reasons why this could happen, but don't worry - there are solutions available. In this article, we'll share some quick and easy fixes as well as more in-depth troubleshooting methods, including a reset option, to help you get your search bar up and running again.

How to Fix Search Bar Not Working on Windows 11

If your Windows 11 Search Bar not working, it will cause a lot of inconvenience to your work or life. The following fix is worth your time.

#1. Enable Search Button on Taskbar

On Windows 11 devices, the search function has been merged with the taskbar options. You need to first check if the search menu has been disabled.

1. Since you can no longer use the search button, right-click anywhere on the taskbar to bring up the Taskbar settings option. Click on it.

2. Then the Settings window will open. If the Search taskbar item is disabled after Windows 11 update, please enable it.

#2. Check for Windows Updates

Windows 11 and Windows 10 let you choose when and how to get the latest updates to keep your device running smoothly and securely. Sometimes an update and restart in Windows 11 can help you with Windows 11 search bar not working issue.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. In Windows Settings, select Windows Update > Check for updates.

3. Check your device for any pending updates. If you have one or more pending updates, install them and restart your computer to see if the errors disappear.

#3. Search and Indexing Troubleshooter

Windows devices have a built-in troubleshooter that can solve all major and minor glitches. Using the search and index troubleshooter should solve most users' search error problems. Follow the steps below:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings. Go to System > Troubleshoot.

2. Then select Other Troubleshooters.

3. Click Run next to Search and Indexing. Then Wait a few seconds for it to detect the problems.

4. You will see the Search and Indexing pop-up due to a problem with the search bar not showing up. Click on all that apply, specifically "Can’t start a search or see results".

5. It may help to describe the problem in detail. Next, the troubleshooter will diagnose that Windows Search is not working. You need to repair the problem as an administrator. Click to proceed.

#4. Restart the Windows Search Service

If your Windows search bar is stuck for no reason, restarting it once will resolve the problem.

1. Press Windows +R to open Run dialog box. Then type services.msc and press Enter.

2. Scroll down to find Windows Search. Right-click to restart it.

3. Wait a few seconds for this service to restart on your device, and your search button should work again.

#5. Reset Windows 11

If the above steps don’t work, you need to reset your Windows 11 device.

1. From the Windows 11 Settings menu, go to System > Recovery > Recovery Options > Reset this PC and click Reset PC.

2. You can choose to Keep my files or Remove everything. Even if you choose the first option, don't forget to make a backup of all your Windows data.

3. Wait a few minutes for it to proceed. You have two options to reinstall Windows: Cloud download and Local reinstall. Choose the former, as a local reinstall will replicate the same Windows 11 search bar not working bug, especially if you upgraded from Windows 10.

4. On the next page, click Next to proceed.
5. Finally, click on Reset.

Best free backup software to protect your files and system at any time

If you're experiencing the "Windows 11 Search Bar Not Working" problem, the methods mentioned above may help solve it. However, before trying any fix, it's always recommended to create a file backup to avoid losing important data on your computer. 

To make this process easier and hassle-free, we recommend using AOMEI Backupper Standard, a full-featured backup software that's definitely worth a try. By creating a system backup via this software before attempting any fixes, you can easily restore your computer to its previous intact state if anything goes wrong. In addition to System and File Backup, AOMEI Backupper Standard also allows you to perform Disk and Partition Backup, giving you more flexibility and options for your backups.

Don't risk losing your files - take a backup first! Download AOMEI Backupper Standard now and ensure your important data is safe. Learn how to back up your file in Windows 11 via AOMEI Backupper. 

1. Start AOMEI Backupper Standard, you will see its deep-blue interface. Then, click File Backup under the Backup tab.

2. Click Add File or Add Folder to select the files or folders you want to back up, depending on your needs.

3. Click the second box to select backup destination. 

4. Confirm all settings and click Start Backup to backup your files. 

? Tips: There are two more options at the lower location, namely, Backup Options, and Backup Scheme, which can help you customize the file backup task.
>> Options: You can comment, enable email notification, set compression level, create pre/post-command, etc.
>> Scheme: 4 different backup schemes are supported and you can use them to delete old backups to free up disk space while keeping the latest backup versions. But they are available on AOMEI Backupper Professional at least.

Final Words

If your Windows 11 search bar not working anymore, I believe you can get it back to normal with the five solutions provided in this article. Before trying any fix, it is always recommended that you make a backup of the important files on your computer. This will help prevent data loss in the event of an unexpected situation. We recommend using reliable file backup software to create a backup of your system.