
The file search option on Windows 10 is one of its many handy features. It allows users to easily locate a file by searching the file name or location folder.
However, due to some errors this feature sometimes fails to work. And this delayed the work and tasks of several users.
If you’re going through the same thing, don’t worry. The “Windows search not working” error can easily be fixed with the right solution!
- Reasons: Why is Windows Search Not Working
- Solution 1: Restart PC
- Solution 2: Check Internet Connection
- Solution 3: Update Windows 10
- Solution 4: Restart Windows Search Bar Option
- Solution 5: Run Windows Troubleshooter
- Solution 6: Repair Windows 10 with PassFab Computer Management
- Tip: Recover Files with echoshare Data Recovery
Why is Windows Search Not Working
The search option is a simple feature on Windows but it provides great help to all users. There are several reasons why your Windows 10 search bar is not working. It could be due to;
- Outdated System or Failed update
- Corrupted files
- Network-related issues
To fix the “Windows search not working” error, we compiled several solutions that will help you repair your search option. Check them out.
Solution 1: Restart PC to Fix Windows Search Not Working
First on the list is probably the easiest solution to fix the “Windows 10 search not working” error by restarting your PC. This will remove any potential bugs and will refresh your system.
Simply hit the power button and select Restart. After that, test your Windows 10 search bar if it’s working properly.
Solution 2: Check Internet Connection to Fix Windows Search Not Working
There are two main search options on Windows 10. The Windows File Search and General Search option. Now if you’re having trouble with the second search option, this may be because you are not connected to the internet. An unstable internet connection will cause the “Windows search not working” error.
You may try to check your internet connection and see if the error is fixed.
Solution 3: Update Windows 10 to Fix Windows Search Not Working
If restarting your PC did not work, then try to check the updates. There might be pending updates that you haven’t noticed. Also, in some cases,
your recent update may not be installed properly causing the error on your search bar.
- Key in Windows+I on your keyboard to open the Settings tab.
- Next, select the Windows Update option.

- Check if there are any updates available. If you see one, click on it and wait for the update to finish.
- When it’s done, check your search bar for errors.
Solution 4: Restart Windows Search Bar Option to Fix Windows Search Not Working
If there are no updates, you can try to restart the search option yourself. You might have accidentally changed something on the search bar that caused the error.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
- Open the details tab and look for the SearchHost.exe process.
- Right-click on it and hit End Process.

- If done successfully, the “Windows search not working” error should be fixed.
Solution 5: Run Windows Troubleshooter to Fix Windows Search Not Working
One way to deal with errors on your PC is by running the troubleshooter. This will scan your device and resolve any issues found in one go.
- Press Windows+I.
- Select Windows and Security then hit Troubleshoot.
- Choose the Additional Troubleshooter option and select Search and Indexing.
- Next, hit the Run Troubleshooter button.

- After that, the troubleshooter will show the errors. Try to resolve all of them and it should fix the “Windows 10 search not working” error
Solution 6: Repair Windows 10 with PassFab Computer Management
Now, I know you may be starting to get exhausted by testing the solutions above. Trying out different solutions that may or may not work is tiring. It’s a waste of time and effort. But hold your horses! There is one tool that is designed to effortlessly repair any errors on your Windows computer. And that is no other than PassFab.
PassFab Computer Management is a state-of-the-art Windows repair tool that can penetrate into your PC and resolve any issues! Yes! You can say goodbye to unreliable methods and say hello to the easiest and most convenient way to remove errors on your computer.
PassFab can easily fix the “Windows search not working” error as it automatically diagnoses the internal driver errors and takes necessary measures to fix them. Apart from that, it also repairs all other Windows errors like Blue/Black Screen, crashing issues, and more! This tool can also remove undeletable files that cause errors. How great is that?
To top it all off, PassFab is completely safe to use and has a user-friendly interface that can be operated by any type of user. Now, let’s not waste time and repair the “Windows search not working” error with PassFab Computer Management.
Steps to Fix “Windows Search Not Working” Error with PassFab
To repair any Windows error using PassFab, you will need;
- An extra computer to download and set up the program. Any Windows computer will do.
- An external storage device or a writable CD/DVD-ROM.
After preparing these, you may proceed to fix your PC with PassFab.
Part 1: Create Boot Disc
Step 1: Download PassFab on the PC without errors by hitting the button above. After that, launch the program.
Step 2: Insert the external storage device then hit the “Create boot disk now” button.

Step 3: You will then be asked several questions regarding your damaged PC. Simply answer them all to proceed.
Step 4: The boot disc will then be downloaded to your storage device.
Part 2: Repair Windows Error
Step 1: Grab the storage device and insert it into the PC that needs repair.
Step 2: Start the computer, and when the logo appears, hit the F12 button on your keyboard to enter the boot menu.
Step 3: Then use the storage device to boot the system. Wait for it to load. After a few moments the PC should start up and you should see PassFab Computer Management loaded on the screen. Next, hit Automated Repair.

Step 4: Select which drive contains the error, and finally click Start Repair.

Step 5: Wait for the repair to finish, and tick the Restart button. After that, the “Windows search not working” error should be resolved.
Tip: Recover Files with echoshare Data Recovery
After repairing the Windows search option and you still can’t find your file there is a chance that they might be deleted. If that’s the case, there is no need to panic. Use the ever-so-reliable echoshare Data Recovery. It can easily restore all deleted files with just a few clicks!
Recover deleted photos, videos, documents, audio files, and even emails. It supports multiple file formats such as JPEG, MP4, MP3, WAV, and more!
This nifty tool can bring them back to you in their original state. Yes! That means 100% no quality loss guaranteed!
So don’t get stressed out if your files are deleted! echoshare Data Recovery can bring them back to you without any trouble! Get it now!
Final Thoughts
It’s good to know that there are reliable tools that we can use to repair our PC and recover files ourselves. So if you experience any errors on your Windows PC use PassFab Computer Management. And if you need to recover deleted files, download and install echoshare Data Recovery.