Can't type in search bar Windows 10

Anonymous
2015-10-13T04:21:24+00:00

After I updated to Windows 10 the search box on the taskbar was working.

A few days later I discovered that I couldn't search anything from this box.

If you have fixed this or know how to fix please share your knowledge as I rely on the search box.

-AnonymousFellow

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Cortana and search

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2017-03-01T16:35:00+00:00

Hello guys and search for a solution for this problem and its was the simple of things.

I don´t know why it works but try it and tell if it works for you guys too.

  1. Press Win + R (to open Run )
  2. copy paste and press enter to run this program. "C:\Windows\system32\ctfmon.exe". it brings back the language bar and for me it allowed me to type in windows search, start menu and WINDOWS 10 apps again

I think it is due to missing Language bar or some think like that.

But when you restart it may stopped working again, just create a task to run this program every time you start the windows and your good to go.

Best regards.

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Anonymous
2015-10-13T09:58:21+00:00

Hi,

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

I understand that you are having a tough time working on the computer.

I will certainly help you to resolve the issue.

  • Do you receive any error code/message?
  • Is there are any update pending or failed to install?

If any of these functions like Start Menu, Settings, Search, Cortana, Microsoft Edge, Action Center and other Windows components are not responding, follow these below methods and check if it helps: 

Method 1:

  • Press Windows + X keys on the keyboard, select Command prompt (admin).
  • Enter the below commands one by one and hit Enter key. PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted
  • It will open the PowerShell window.
  • Now enter the below command and hit Enter key. Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers |Where-Object {$_.InstallLocation -like "*SystemApps*"} | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

If the issue still persist, follow the below method.

Method 2:

  • Open the Task manager.  Here’s a tip:  Press CTRL+Shift+ESC.
  • Click File > Run New Task
  • Make sure you have a check mark beside “Create this task with administrative privileges”
  • Type Powershell
  • Type the following in the Powershell prompt:

$manifest = (Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.WindowsStore).InstallLocation + '\AppxManifest.xml' ; Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $manifest

  • Close the Powershell window
  • Reboot the computer and check if it helps.

Hope it helps.

Let us know the status, we are glad to assist you further.

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Anonymous
2017-06-24T14:19:43+00:00

you must type in cmd the next command: 

REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run /v ctfmon /t REG_SZ /d CTFMON.EXE

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  1. Anonymous
    2016-10-22T16:07:14+00:00

    I tried the solution recommended and it didn't help.  Seems that a reboot helps for a while and then the problem comes back again.  Those who thought the solution help might have thought it worked, as the reboot solves it anyway, for a while.  Then it comes back again where you can't type anything in the search bar.

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-10-17T05:56:17+00:00

    I have also noticed this issue popped up right after the Anniversary Update. I've tried both methods and neither are working for me. I never get any error messages, and this is really annoying. It feels like Windows is broken and Microsoft is forcing everyone to find solutions themselves.

    When I press the [windows key] then try typing "cmd" without quotes, only "c" shows up then it stops responding and goes blank. Also clicking in the Cortana search bar is no different.

    PS C:\Windows\system32> sfc /scannow

    Beginning system scan.  This process will take some time.

    Beginning verification phase of system scan.

    Verification 100% complete.

    I've also tried ending the Windows Explorer Task and restarting it with admin privy, as well as the Cortana process. Nothing seems to be corrupt and nothing seems to fix the problem.

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