My windows key search bar does not work

Aiden Yaw 20 Reputation points
2026-06-13T12:32:50.7033333+00:00

when i press the windows button it functions normally, however when i try searching anything up its always just blank. i have tried sfc and dism restore health i have also restarted windows explorer and windows font cache service, i also ran msdt.exe -ep WindowsHelp id SearchDiagnostic, i tried ending SearchHost.exe and these didnt work.

Any idea how to solve this?Screenshot 2026-06-13 203102

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Desktop, Start, and personalization | Start Menu
Answer accepted by question author
John DeV 170.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-06-14T00:58:40.46+00:00

If there wasn't a restore point available from before the issue started, please try the additional method below.

open Settings > System > Recovery.

Few things to check on the PC

  • Unplug all external peripherals except for the Mouse, Keyboard, and LAN cable before starting
  • Disable or uninstall any third-party Antivirus program to prevent it from interfering with the upgrade

Under Fix problems using Windows Update, click Reinstall Now

Once completed, your system will restart.

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  1. AI answer

    2026-06-13T12:33:05.63+00:00

    Based on the steps already tried, the next recommended actions are to fully reset the Windows Search feature and, if needed, repair the Windows Search service.

    1. Make sure Windows is fully updated
      1. Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
      2. Select Check for updates, install everything offered, and restart the PC.
    2. Reset Windows Search with the official PowerShell script (Windows 11 / Windows 10 1903+)
      1. Open Windows PowerShell as administrator.
      2. Check the execution policy: 
              Get-ExecutionPolicy
        If the result is not Unrestricted, note the value, then run: 
              Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted
        Confirm with Y.
      3. Download ResetWindowsSearchBox.ps1 from Reset Windows Search PowerShell script and save it to a local folder.
      4. Right‑click the saved ResetWindowsSearchBox.ps1 file and choose Run with PowerShell.
      5. Approve the UAC prompt. Wait until Done appears.
      6. If the execution policy was changed in step 2, press any key to continue and then restore it: 
              Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser -ExecutionPolicy <PreviousValue>
        replacing <PreviousValue> with the value noted earlier. Confirm with Y.
      7. Close PowerShell and test Start menu search again. The index may rebuild, so relevance can be temporarily reduced.
    3. If Windows Search service will not start If the Windows Search service fails to start with the message that it starts and then stops, corrupted transaction logs may be the cause.
      1. Open File Explorer and go to C:\Windows\System32\config\TxR.
      2. Delete all files with the extensions .BLF and .REGTRANS-MS in that folder.
        • These files are hidden; enable viewing protected operating system files if needed.
      3. Restart the PC.
      4. Confirm that the Windows Search service is running and then test Start menu search.

    These steps directly reset the Windows Search components and repair a common cause of the search service not functioning, beyond the troubleshooting already performed.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  2. John DeV 170.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-06-13T13:13:13.3566667+00:00

    Hi, good day!

    • When was the last time it worked properly?
    • Have you made any changes to your computer recently?

    Repair all Windows apps via PowerShell

    Windows key+X then select Windows PowerShell / Terminal (Admin)

    Copy and paste the command below one at a time then press Enter. Please ignore the red errors and let the process complete.

    Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost | foreach {Add-AppxPackage -register "$($_.InstallLocation)\appxmanifest.xml" -DisableDevelopmentMode}

    Get-AppXPackage | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

    Restart your computer

    I look forward to receiving your update and I'm willing to collaborate with you till we resolve the issue. Do keep me informed by clicking "Add comment" below.

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  3. John DeV 170.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-06-13T14:29:16.8233333+00:00

    Please try creating a new local administrator account then see if the issue persists.

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/manage-user-accounts-in-windows-104dc19f-6430-4b49-6a2b-e4dbd1dcdf32

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  4. John DeV 170.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-06-13T14:39:46.3166667+00:00

    Please try to return to the login screen

    While holding the Left Shift key, click the Power icon at the bottom right > Restart

    This will bring you to Windows Recovery Environment

    Select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Uninstall Updates

    Uninstall latest quality update

    If this doesn't work, Select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > System Restore

    Select the restore point where everything is still working.

    Click Next then Finish

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