How To Fix File Explorer Search Box Not Working

You most likely utilize File Explorer’s search box on a daily basis if you are like most Windows users. After all, it’s a quick and easy way to find the files you’re looking for without having to sort through everything manually. It helps you locate items by name, file extension, or folder.

However, you may have noticed that the search box in File Explorer isn’t working as it should. When you type something into the box, nothing happens, or the File Explorer freezes and crashes.

Unfortunately, there are times when the search box can stop working properly. These are some things you can try to fix your File Explorer search box if it has been giving you trouble. . If you’ve been having trouble with your File Explorer search box not working, here are a few things you can try to fix the problem. We will talk about what might have caused this mistake and give you a number of tried-and-true ways to fix it so that your search box works again.

How do I use the File Explorer?

You can see and change the files on your computer with File Explorer, a tool that comes with Windows. With the File Explorer, you can add new groups, get rid of files, and move files around. It can also open files, copy files, and paste files. You can use the File Explorer to save time and keep your machine in order.

There are some things you should know about File Explorer if you have never used it before. The File Explorer can be found in the menu. Click on the folder-shaped button to open it. Second, there are two panes in File Explorer. There is a list of folders on your machine in the left pane. The right pane shows what is in the folder you chose.

Last but not least, the File Explorer has a menu that lets you do different things. With the toolbar, you can make new groups, get rid of files, copy and paste files, and more. This is also where you can find the search. Take note that there are new icons in the Windows 10 File Explorer, which some users may not be used to.

Possible Reasons Why Windows File Explorer Will not Work

When the search box in File Explorer does not work, it can be caused by a number of different things. This problem can happen with Windows 11, Windows 10, and even older versions of the OS. The following are some of the most popular reasons:

• System files that are damaged—Windows files can become damaged for many reasons, such as malware and software issues. This can stop File Explorer from working if your system files are damaged.
• Search index that is broken or corrupted: The search index is a library that keeps track of information about the files on your computer. If this index gets broken or faulty, it could stop your search box from working right.
• Windows uses rights to manage who can see your files and folders. This error message means that the permissions are not valid. If one of your system files does not have the right access, your File Explorer search might not work right.
• Some users have noticed that some services can get in the way of the search box in File Explorer. If you are having trouble with this, you might want to check your services to make sure none of them are set up wrong.
• Poor configuration—You may need to fix some Windows settings so that the search box in File Explorer works right. Some of these choices might need to be changed by hand, or you might be able to find a tool or program that can help you do it.

If you think that any of these issues are stopping your File Explorer search from working, try one of the options below. For those who do not know what is wrong, we suggest that you try each option one at a time until you find the one that works.

Fixed: Windows File Explorer Will Not Open

If you are having trouble with File Explorer not working, here are some of the best ways to fix it:

1. Start up File Explorer again.
2. Turn on the Windows Search service.
3. Do something in PowerShell.
4. Check the system files.
5. Change the way you look.
6. Allow files to use context indexing.
7. Build up the search index again.
8. The Search and indexing troubleshooter should be run.
9. Start Cortana up again and again.
10. Get the KB4532695 fix for Windows 10.

Let us talk more about each of these options.

Method 1: Start the Windows Explorer process over.

Restarting the process that is giving you trouble is sometimes the fastest way to fix it. Since the Windows Explorer process is tied to File Explorer, restarting it can fix problems with the File Explorer search. In order to:

• Start up the task manager.
  • Win 10: Right-click on an empty spot in the dock and choose Task Manager from the menu that appears. To access Task Manager, right-click on a blank area on your taskbar and choose it from the context menu.
  • A menu will emerge when you right-click the Start menu in Windows 11. From that menu, choose Task Manager.
  • The keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + Esc is another option.
• If the Task Manager opens in small mode, click the “More details” button to make it bigger. You can now see all the apps and processes that are running in the background.
• For now, stay on the Processes tab and click on the Windows Explorer process to pick it up. Click the Restart button that you can now see in the bottom right corner of the window.
• Do not use Windows Explorer until it starts up again. Based on your gear, it should not take more than 60 seconds. It shouldn’t take longer than 60 seconds, depending on your hardware. Your screen, taskbar, and open windows may go away for a short time. This means that the Explorer process is restarting itself.

Method 2: Turn on the Windows Search Service.

The Windows Search service helps you find things on your computer by organizing them and making a list of them. items on the computer, making it easier and faster to find them. As soon as you turn on the Windows Search service, the system will begin automatically indexing files. These steps will turn on the Windows Search service:

1. Kindly press the Windows and R keys together. This will bring up the run screen.
2. Type services.msc into the box and click “OK.” This will open the Services window. It may take a moment for the window to fully load.
3. Click the Windows Search service and pick Properties from the menu that comes up.
4. Change the type of startup to “Manual.” Click the Start button if the service is not already working. button. Do that, then click OK. You should now be back on the service list.
5. If the File Explorer search still does not work, close the Services box and try again. Move on to the next option if the problem is still there.

Technique 3: Do something in PowerShell

One of the most useful tools you can use to fix problems on your computer is PowerShell. If you are having trouble searching in File Explorer, the PowerShell command might be able to help. There is a PowerShell function that can fix the problem. Here are the steps:

1. Type “PowerShell” into the Windows Search bar. Pick out the Windows PowerShell app from the search results and click Run as Administrator.
2. If User Account Control (UAC) asks you, click Yes to give the app management rights to start up. This lets the PowerShell that is elevated run. If the local account you are using does not have administrator rights, click here to find out how to give them.
3. In your PowerShell window, copy and paste the following command:

• Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”} in Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.Windows.Search

1. To run the command, press the Enter key on your computer. You need to let it finish before you check to see if the search box in File Explorer works.

Method 4: Check the system files.

In order to fix broken files on your computer, you should use the System File Checker tool. This can help you find system files that are broken on your computer and fix them instantly. These steps will show you how to use the System File Checker tool:

1. To access the search bar, click the magnifying glass button located in the taskbar. To access the search bar on the taskbar, click the magnifying glass icon. To quickly access it on your PC, use Windows + S.
2. Find the Command Prompt and type it in the search box. It will show up on the list. Right-click on it and select Run as Administrator. If the local account you are using does not have administrator rights, click here to find out how to give them.
3. If User Account Control (UAC) asks you, click Yes to give the app management rights to start up.
4. To run the following program, type it in and press Enter: run sfc/scannow
5. Wait for your computer to be fully scanned by the System File Checker. If there is a difference, the utility will fix all mistakes in system files and restore them.

Method 5. Change the way you search.

Some users said that the search problem could be fixed by changing one setting in File Explorer.

1. You can use the Windows + E keyboard shortcut or press the button in the taskbar to open File Explorer.
2. To get to the options page, click the “See More” button and then “Options.” You might need to go to View > Options instead on Windows 10.
3. Navigate to the Search tab and confirm that the Always search file names and contents option is set (this could take a few minutes).
4. Then click the “Apply” button and check to see if the search box in File Explorer now works.

Do not forget to restart your computer if the above fix does not work right away. If the above solution didn’t work right away, make sure to try and restart your computer. There are times when changes will not happen until you restart your machine.

Method 6. Allow files to be indexed by context

With context indexing, information about the background of a file is added to its entry in the search engine. This might make it easier for you to find what you want. These steps will turn on context indexing:

1. You can use the Windows + E keyboard shortcut or press the button in the taskbar to open File Explorer.
2. Right-click on your local disk, which is usually the C: drive, and choose Properties from the menu that comes up.
3. Verify that the option to allow contents indexing of files on this device in addition to file properties is selected. Choose it and press the Apply button if it isn’t.
4. Do these steps again for every drive you have. Once all drives have been enabled, restart your computer to check if the issue with File Explorer not working has been resolved.

Technique 7. Rebuild the Index of Search Terms

If turning on the Windows Search service and restarting File Explorer did not fix the problem, the search index may need to be rebuilt. This can help fix any problems that were caused by the problem at its source and update your system’s search index. Take these actions to rebuild the search index:

1. Press the “” key and “” to open the Windows search bar. Click the correct option to open it from the search results. You ought to reach the Control panel by doing this.
2. To go further, click the + button. To make changes here, you might need to have an administrator account!
3. Click on the File Types tab, and then make sure that Index Properties and File Contents are chosen under “How should this file be indexed?”
4. Check that your choice was correct and see if that fixed the problem with the File Explorer search box not working.

Method 8: The Search and Indexing Troubleshooter should be run.

Windows comes with a number of tools that can help you fix problems with your system. The Search and Indexing troubleshooter can help you figure out what is wrong with your computer’s search function and fix it. Here are the steps you need to take to run the probe:

1. In the taskbar, click the Start button. Then, click Settings. You can also use the Windows +I option instead.
2. Click on System, then Troubleshoot, and then Other Troubleshooters. Windows 10 users should navigate to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
3. Click on the Run button after choosing the Search and Indexing troubleshooter. Windows will start to look for problems with finding your files on its own.
4. Pick out the issues that concern you, then click the Next button.
5. To resolve the issue of the File Explorer search box not functioning, adhere to any on-screen instructions. Do not worry if this did not help. You can still try these other things to fix the issue.

Technique 9. Start Cortana up again and sign it in.

One helpful tool that might assist you with finding information and using your computer is Cortana. To fix problems with File Explorer search, you might need to restart Cortana or re-register the service. To carry out this:

• Enter “PowerShell” into the Windows Search bar after it has opened. Pick out the Windows PowerShell app from the search results and click Run as Administrator.
• If User Account Control (UAC) asks you, click Yes to give the app management rights to start up.
• In your PowerShell window, copy and paste the following command:
• • “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”} is the registered file name of the Get-AppXPackage command, which returns the Microsoft.Windows.Cortana name.
• Wait until the order is done. Once it is finished, try restarting your device and using File Explorer to look for files.

Technique 10: Install Windows 10’s KB4532695 Update.

It is possible that your operating system is out of date and that a Windows update is needed to resolve the problem. A bug fix for this particular issue is included in the KB4532695 update, which was installed by many users who were having trouble with the File Explorer search box not functioning.

Install the KB4532695 update on your device after downloading it from the Microsoft Update Catalog. You can verify whether installing this fixed your issue with the File Explorer search not working after it is finished.

In conclusion

One useful tool for organizing files on your computer is the search box included in File Explorer. We hope that these answers and advice will help you resolve any issues you may be having with Windows’ File Explorer search box not functioning. Naturally, you might need to seek further help from a tech support agency if none of these fixes work for you.

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