How to Fix Windows 10 Search Not Working

If you're having trouble with the search function in Windows 10, don't worry - you're not alone. Many users have experienced issues with the search feature not working properly. The good news is that there are several potential solutions to this problem. In this article, we will explore four methods to help you fix Windows 10 search not working.

Restart Windows Explorer

One of the simplest ways to resolve search issues in Windows 10 is by restarting Windows Explorer. This can help refresh the search function and clear any temporary glitches that may be causing the problem.

To restart Windows Explorer, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the taskbar and select "Task Manager" from the context menu.

2. In the Task Manager window, locate "Windows Explorer" under the Processes tab.

3. Right-click on "Windows Explorer" and select "Restart" from the options.

This will restart Windows Explorer and hopefully fix any search issues you were experiencing.

Disable Bing

Bing integration in Windows 10 can sometimes interfere with the search functionality, causing it to malfunction. Disabling Bing can help resolve this issue and improve the search experience.

To disable Bing in Windows 10, follow these steps:

1. Open the "Settings" app by pressing the Windows key + I.

2. Click on "Search" in the settings menu.

3. Under the "Searching Windows" section, toggle off the "Use Bing as my search engine" option.

By disabling Bing, you can eliminate any potential conflicts that may be affecting the search function.

Open ctfmon

Sometimes, search issues in Windows 10 are related to language settings. Opening ctfmon, a language-related process, can help fix these problems and restore the search feature to its proper functioning.

To open ctfmon in Windows 10, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.

2. Type "ctfmon" in the text field and press Enter.

Opening ctfmon will ensure that language-related settings are properly initialized and may resolve any search issues caused by language conflicts.

Verify System Files

Corrupted system files can often cause search problems in Windows 10. Verifying system files using the System File Checker (SFC) tool can help identify and fix any corrupted files, thus resolving search issues.

To verify system files using the SFC tool, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + X and select "Command Prompt (Admin)" from the menu.

2. In the Command Prompt window, type "sfc /scannow" and press Enter.

3. Wait for the scan to complete. If any corrupted files are found, the tool will attempt to repair them automatically.

Verifying system files can help restore the search function and ensure that all necessary files are intact.

Dealing with search issues in Windows 10 can be frustrating, but thankfully, there are several methods you can try to resolve the problem. Restarting Windows Explorer, disabling Bing, opening ctfmon, and verifying system files are all potential solutions that can help fix Windows 10 search not working. By following these step-by-step guides, you can troubleshoot the issue and restore the search functionality in your Windows 10 system.