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Windows 11 File Explorer Search Not Working: How to Fix it
Tested and trusted fixes to get the search feature working properly
4 min. read
Updated onJanuary 26, 2024
updated onJanuary 26, 2024
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Key notes
The Windows 11 File Explorer search feature not working is one of the different problems with Windows Explorer. Like theFile Explorer search bar not workingissue, this problem can come in different forms.
Some users cannot type anything into the search box, while the search button does not respond for some. Irrespective of the severity of the issue, this guide will walk you through the steps to fix it.
Why is the search not working in File Explorer?
Different factors can cause the Windows File Explorer search not working issue. Below are the well-known ones:
How can I fix Windows 11 File Explorer search if it’s not working?
1. Restart File Explorer
If the Windows 11 File Explorer search feature is not working, a quick solution is to restart it. This will clear up any glitch that can be causing it to malfunction.
2. Use PowerShell
Sometimes, you need to re-register Windows search to fix the Windows 11 File Explorer search feature. The quickest and most effective way to do this is to run the command above.
3. Rebuild the search index
If the search index is broken, there is a high chance the Windows 11 File Explorer search will not work. To be sure this is not the case, you need to rebuild the index, as shown above.
4. Run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter
You need to wait for the troubleshooter to complete its diagnosis and apply any recommended fix. This should help you fix the Windows 11 File Explorer search not working issue if a system component causes it.
5. Restart the Windows Search service
The Windows Search service might not run or have encountered issues in some cases. This will cause problems with anything that has to do with search and could be why the Windows 11 File Explorer is not working.
Restarting the service should eliminate any glitches with it.
The Windows 11 File Explorer not working issue can be frustrating. However, it is not the most difficult issue to fix, as shown in this guide. And similarly, you can fix things whenFile Explorer steals focus.
IfFile Explorer frequently crashes on Windows 11, check our detailed guide for surefire ways to fix it.
Lastly, if you find results loading slowly, learnhow to effectively search on Windows 11and how tosearch for special characters in Windows Explorer.
Feel free to let us know the solution that helped you fix this issue in the comments below.
More about the topics:File Explorer,Windows 11
Loredana Harsana
Windows Software Expert
Loredana is a passionate writer with a keen interest in PC software and technology. She started off writing about mobile phones back when Samsung Galaxy S II was on top of the world and she fell in love with tech of all sorts.
Whenever she’s not at her work desk, you’ll find her enjoying refreshing tea flavors, spilling stories on paper, and listening to the radio.
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Loredana Harsana
Windows Software Expert
Loredana is a tech enthusiast who tackles mobility, privacy, and networking in easy-to follow guides for everyone.
