How to Fix Can’t Type in Windows Search Bar

Are you having trouble typing in the Windows search bar? Don't worry, you're not alone. Many Windows users have experienced this issue at some point. Fortunately, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to fix the problem. In this blog post, we'll walk you through the process of resolving the "Can't Type in Windows Search Bar" issue.

Restart Windows Explorer

One of the first things you can try is restarting Windows Explorer. This can help refresh the search bar and resolve any temporary glitches. Here's how you can do it:

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

2. In the Task Manager window, locate "Windows Explorer" in the list of processes.

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

Disable Bing

Windows search bar integrates Bing search by default, and sometimes this integration can cause issues with typing. Disabling Bing search might help resolve the problem. Follow these steps to disable Bing:

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

2. In the Settings window, click on the "Search" option.

3. In the left sidebar, select the "Search" tab.

4. Scroll down and locate the "Use Bing as my search engine" option.

5. Toggle the switch to turn it off.

Open ctfmon

Another potential solution is to open ctfmon, a service that helps manage language input and other text services in Windows. Here's how to open ctfmon:

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

2. Type "ctfmon" (without quotes) into the Run box and press Enter.

Verify the system files

Corrupted system files can sometimes lead to issues with the Windows search bar. Verifying the system files using the System File Checker tool can help identify and repair any problems. Follow these steps to verify system files:

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator. To do this, right-click on the Start button and select "Command Prompt (Admin)" from the menu.

2. In the Command Prompt window, type the command "sfc /scannow" (without quotes) and press Enter.

3. Wait for the scan to complete. If any issues are found, follow the on-screen instructions to resolve them.

We hope that one of these troubleshooting steps helped you fix the "Can't Type in Windows Search Bar" issue. Remember to restart Windows Explorer, disable Bing search, open ctfmon, and verify system files using the System File Checker tool. If the problem persists, you may need to seek further assistance from Microsoft support or a knowledgeable technician.

By following these steps, you can regain the ability to type in the Windows search bar and improve your overall user experience. Don't let technical issues hinder your productivity - take action and get back to searching with ease!