How to Troubleshoot Search and Indexing in Windows 11 [Tutorial]

Search on Windows 11 refuses to work? Here are six sets of instructions for troubleshooting the most common problems with Windows Search.

In Windows 11, Windows Search is an essential feature that allows you to quickly find almost anything on your computer (such as documents, images, videos, system files, applications, emails and parameters). Additionally, thanks to its integration with Bing search, you can use the feature for quick access to web pages and answers to common questions from the results preview.

The Windows 11 search tool has, with different updates to the operating system's features, increased and decreased its integration with Cortana and with File Explorer. These frequent changes in how search works cause problems, some of which have a simple solution.

If Windows Search or Search Indexer is not working properly or won't start on Windows 11/8/7, this troubleshooting article can help you fix the problem. You can try the suggestions in any order you want, but remember to first create a system restore point before you begin. The error messages you see could be:

While search is a useful feature that we take for granted every day, there will come a time when it stops working as intended. For example, sometimes search queries will show null or incomplete results. The search box in the taskbar will become unresponsive or not open at all, and more.

Issues covered in this tutorial:
windows search not working
Windows Search not working Windows 11
windows search not typing
Windows search not working Windows 11 – quick fix
Windows search does not show results
Windows Search does not open Windows 11
Windows Search not typing Windows 11
Windows search does not allow typing
Windows search does not appear
Windows search fails to type
Windows search bar does not open applications
Windows 11 search bar not opening apps
windows search bar not working
windows search bar not typing
Windows button search not working
windows search is not clickable

This tutorial will apply to computers, laptops, desktops and tablets running Windows 11 operating system (Home, Pro, Enterprise, Education) from all supported hardware manufacturers, such as Dell, HP, Acer , Asus, Toshiba, Lenovo and Samsung.

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