Why Is Windows 11 Search Disabled?
To use anything on your computer, you first need to search for it. The Windows Search bar (or Search box) is a one-tap utility that helps you quickly access your File Explorer, apps, registries, and documents. The Windows 11 Search bar error is a widespread bug where the search bar is disabled, not allowing you to type anything at all. Also, the Windows 11 Start menu (with its own new search box) might not respond to your clicks. You can’t even access the Shutdown and Restart buttons! In the past, the issue was mainly affecting those users who migrated from Windows 10 to Windows 11. It’s unlikely to affect any PC or laptop that came pre-installed with Windows 11. There’s no other reason for this apart from Microsoft’s own bugs. Thus, a few remedial steps are all you need to get your computer search back. It’s different, though, with Windows 10: the problem might actually be traced to your device, due to many accumulated errors over time. If you’re having this issue in Windows 10, try one of our solutions specific to that version. With Windows 11, you need to try the following fixes in order.
1. Enable Search Button on Taskbar
On Windows 11 devices, the search function is merged with Taskbar options. You need to first check whether the Search menu has been disabled. Try using the search button with your Windows 11 device again. If it doesn’t work, try the next few steps.
2. Check for Windows Updates
Sometimes an update and restart in Windows 11 is all you need to fix the search bar error.
3. Use Search and Indexing Troubleshooter in Windows 11
Windows devices have a built-in troubleshooter for all major and minor glitches. Using the search and indexing troubleshooter should fix the search bug issue for most users. Follow the steps below: Some of the common search problems resolved through the troubleshooter include “Incorrect permissions on Windows Search directories” and “Windows Search is not working.” If the Windows troubleshooter also fails to solve the search problem, try one of these minor tweaks below.
4. Restart the Windows Search Service
If your Windows search service is stuck for no reason, restarting it once will resolve the problem.
5. Tweak the Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel Service
It is possible that your search results are frozen due to errors in the “Touch Keyboard” which is connected with the Windows search bar. Windows devices have a mechanism to unfreeze the “Touch Keyboard”. This should fix the search issues immediately. If you do not see the Start button greyed out, move on to the next solution.
6. Enable Search History on Device and Clear Past Search History
When you hover your mouse cursor inside the search box, you can see your recent search history. This is an important menu option without which your search results will not be displayed, so make sure it’s enabled.
7. Ensure Your Search Results Aren’t Within Excluded Folders
Windows 11 and 10 allow you to exclude any folder from search results. If the folder containing one of your important files and applications is excluded from Windows search results, you won’t be able to see any inside information.
8. Use CTRL + ALT + DEL
9. Reset Windows 11
If the above steps don’t work, you need to reset your Windows 11 device. Of course, you can try this method first, however, as it is the most time-consuming process, we recommend it being your last resort. This is really the nuclear option. The complete reset procedure can take a few hours, or even nearly a day, depending on how slow your device is. Keep it plugged in. After the reset, the Windows 11 device search function will be functional again. Image credit: Pixabay All screenshots by Sayak Boral If you have a valid Windows 10 license, it’s recommended to first go back to Windows 10 using a clean install, removing any unauthorized ISO trace. After this, you can get a free upgrade to Windows 11 again.
