The Windows File Explorer search box is a powerful tool that allows you to quickly find files and folders on your computer. Whether you’re looking for documents, images, or media files, this feature saves valuable time.
However, when the File Explorer search box stops working, it can be incredibly frustrating. The inability to locate important files leads to wasted time and unnecessary stress. While the exact cause of this issue isn’t always clear, there are several effective solutions to help you fix it and restore search functionality.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to fix the File Explorer search box not working in Windows. We’ll also cover the most common causes of the issue and provide solutions to help you quickly restore search functionality, so you can get back to finding your files with ease.
What Is the Windows File Explorer Search Box?
The Windows File Explorer search box is a powerful tool that allows users to quickly locate files and folders on their computer. Found within File Explorer, the built-in file management tool in Windows, the search box lets you enter search terms to find matches within indexed files.
This search feature is essential for efficient file organization, as it scans indexed content to locate files by name or specific words and phrases. You can even customize searches to focus on particular locations or file types.
Overall, the File Explorer search box is a valuable tool for anyone who needs to find files quickly—whether you’re searching for a specific file or simply trying to clean up your computer.
Common Causes of the File Explorer Search Box Not Working
There are several reasons why the File Explorer search box in Windows may fail to work, appear greyed out, or display inaccurate results. Here are some common causes:
🔹 Indexing Issues: The Windows indexing service is responsible for quickly locating files and folders. If this service is not running or has become corrupted, it can cause the search box to malfunction.
🔹 Incorrect Permissions: If your user account doesn’t have the correct access to the files or folders being searched, the search function may not display results.
🔹 Problems with Windows Search Service: If the Windows Search Service is disabled or experiencing issues, it can prevent the search box from working properly.
🔹 Outdated Windows Version: An outdated or corrupted version of Windows can also cause the search box to stop functioning correctly. Ensure your system is running the latest version of Windows before troubleshooting further.
By identifying these common causes, you can better diagnose why your File Explorer search box is not working as expected.
How to Fix the Windows File Explorer Search Box
If you’re experiencing issues with the File Explorer search box, here’s how to fix it. These solutions work for both Windows 11 and Windows 10, though some steps may vary slightly based on your OS version.
1. Fix Search Options in File Explorer
Misconfigured search options can prevent the File Explorer search box from functioning correctly. This typically happens if the option to search file names and contents is disabled. Follow these steps to fix it:
- 🔹 Open File Explorer – You can do this by pressing Windows + E or clicking the File Explorer icon on your taskbar.
- 🔹 Access File Explorer Options – Click the three-dot menu in the toolbar and select Options.
- 🔹 Enable Search Options – Switch to the Search tab and make sure the “Always search file names and contents” option is checked. If it’s unchecked, click the box to enable it.
- 🔹 Apply Changes – Click Apply to finalize the settings.
Once you’ve adjusted these settings, try searching in File Explorer again. You may experience a slight delay as Windows re-indexes your files.
2. Restart the Windows Search Service
The Windows Search service is crucial for indexing files and folders to allow the File Explorer search box to function correctly. If this service is disabled or not working properly, your search results may be incomplete or missing. Here’s how to restart the Windows Search service:
- 🔹 Open the Run utility – Press Windows + R on your keyboard.
- 🔹 Launch Services – Type services.msc into the input field and press OK to open the Services app.
- 🔹 Locate Windows Search – Find Windows Search in the list of services, right-click on it, and select Properties.
- 🔹 Set Startup Type to Automatic – In the Startup type dropdown, select Automatic.
- 🔹 Stop and Start the Service – If available, click the Stop button, wait for it to stop, and then click Start to restart the service.
- 🔹 Apply Changes – Click Apply and close the window.
After restarting the Windows Search service, check if the File Explorer search box works as expected.
3. Enable File Indexing
File Indexing is a key feature in Windows that speeds up the search process by indexing files on your computer. If this feature is disabled, File Explorer won’t be able to show search results. Here’s how to enable file indexing:
- 🔹 Open File Explorer – Press Windows + E or click the File Explorer icon on your taskbar.
- 🔹 Navigate to the Folder – Go to the folder you want to search, such as Documents, Downloads, or any other folder.
- 🔹 Access Folder Properties – Click the three-dot menu in the File Explorer toolbar and select Properties.
- 🔹 Enable File Indexing – In the General tab, click Advanced. Then, check the option “Allow files on this drive to have contents indexed in addition to file properties.”
- 🔹 Save Changes – Click OK to apply the changes and close the window.
Once file indexing is enabled, you should be able to search your files more efficiently.
4. Run the Search Indexing Troubleshooter
Windows offers built-in troubleshooting tools that can help resolve issues with your system. The Search Indexing Troubleshooter is designed to diagnose and fix problems with Windows Search. Here’s how to run it:
- 🔹 Open Settings – Click the Start menu and select the Settings icon, or press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
- 🔹 Navigate to Troubleshoot – Select System, then click Troubleshoot.
- 🔹 Open Other Troubleshooters – Click on the Other troubleshooters button to view the full list of troubleshooters.
- 🔹 Run the Search Troubleshooter – Locate Search and Indexing in the list and click Run. The troubleshooter will automatically diagnose and fix search index issues.
After running the troubleshooter, check if the File Explorer search box is working properly.
5. Rebuild the Search Index
If your search index is corrupted, File Explorer won’t be able to show any results when you use the search box. Rebuilding the search index can help resolve this issue. However, it may take some time, so it’s best to perform this task when you don’t need your computer for other activities. Here’s how to rebuild the search index:
- 🔹 Open Control Panel – Press Windows + S to open the search interface, type “Control Panel”, and select it from the search results.
- 🔹 Access Indexing Options – Click on Indexing Options. Ensure your viewing mode is set to “Large icons” for easier access to this option.
- 🔹 Open Advanced Settings – Click the Advanced button. You may need an administrator account to modify these settings.
- 🔹 Rebuild the Index – Stay on the Index Settings tab and click Rebuild under the Troubleshooting section.
- 🔹 Wait for Rebuilding – Allow Windows to rebuild the search index. This may take several minutes, depending on the size of your files.
Once the rebuild is complete, check if you can now search using the File Explorer search box.
6. Fix Folder Permissions
If folder permissions are restricted, it may prevent File Explorer from accessing or displaying search results. Adjusting the folder permissions to grant full access can resolve this issue. Here’s how:
- 🔹 Open File Explorer – Press Windows + E or click the File Explorer icon on your taskbar.
- 🔹 Locate the Folder – Navigate to the folder you want to search.
- 🔹 Access Folder Properties – Right-click on the folder and select Properties from the context menu.
- 🔹 Modify Security Settings – Switch to the Security tab, select Users (YourPCName\Users) from the list, and click Edit.
- 🔹 Grant Full Control – Select Users again, check the Full Control box, and click Apply.
- 🔹 Confirm Changes – Click OK to save and exit the settings.
Now, try searching for files inside the folder to see if File Explorer displays the correct results.
7. Update Windows
Regular Windows updates help fix bugs, improve system stability, and resolve compatibility issues, including problems with the File Explorer search box. Ensuring your system is up to date can help restore proper search functionality.
How to Update Windows 10
- 🔹 Click the Windows icon at the bottom left of your screen to open the Start menu.
- 🔹 Select Settings, or press Windows + I to open it quickly.
- 🔹 Navigate to Update & Security > Windows Update.
- 🔹 Click Check for updates and wait for Windows to find available updates.
- 🔹 If updates are available, click View all optional updates and install them.
- 🔹 Allow Windows to download and install the updates, then restart your computer if prompted.
How to Update Windows 11
- 🔹 Click the Windows icon in the bottom-left corner to open the Start menu, then select Settings (or press Windows + I).
- 🔹 Switch to the Windows Update tab from the left menu.
- 🔹 Click Check for updates, and Windows will search for new updates.
- 🔹 If updates are found, let Windows install them and restart your computer as needed.
After updating, try using the File Explorer search box to check if the issue is resolved.
8. Join the Windows Insider Program
If updating Windows didn’t resolve the File Explorer search box issue, you can try joining the Windows Insider Program. This allows you to access pre-release Windows updates that might contain fixes for search-related problems.
How to Join the Windows Insider Program
- 🔹 Open the Start menu and click on Settings (or press Windows + I).
- 🔹 Navigate to Windows Update, then select Windows Insider Program.
- 🔹 Click Get Started to begin the enrollment process.
- 🔹 Choose an account to link to the program and click Continue.
- 🔹 Select an Insider Channel:
- Dev Channel (earliest access to new features, but less stable).
- Beta Channel (more stable, but still in testing).
- Dev Channel (earliest access to new features, but less stable).
- Release Preview Channel (final testing before public release).
🔹 Click Continue and follow the on-screen instructions.
🔹 Restart your PC to apply the changes.
After joining, your system will receive early Windows updates, which may include fixes for File Explorer search issues.
9. Use a Third-Party Search App (Optional)
If the File Explorer search box still isn’t working, consider using a third-party search tool like Everything or Listary. These apps offer faster and more efficient search results than Windows’ built-in search function.
Conclusion
The Windows File Explorer search box is a powerful feature for quickly finding files and folders. However, when it stops working, it can be frustrating and time-consuming.
By following the step-by-step fixes outlined above, you should be able to restore search functionality and efficiently locate your files again.
💡 Did these solutions help? If you have additional tips or troubleshooting methods, feel free to share them! 🚀
One more thing
If you’re in search of a software company that embodies integrity and upholds honest business practices, your quest ends here at Ecomkeys.com. As a Microsoft Certified Partner, we prioritize the trust and satisfaction of our customers. Our commitment to delivering reliable software products is unwavering, and our dedication to your experience extends far beyond the point of sale. At Ecomkeys.com, we provide a comprehensive 360-degree support system that accompanies you throughout your software journey. Your trust is our foundation, and we’re here to ensure that every interaction with us is a positive and trustworthy one.
