If you’re like most Windows users, you probably rely on the File Explorer search box daily. It’s a quick and efficient way to locate files without having to sift through folders manually. The search feature helps you find items by name, file extension, or directory.
However, you might have noticed that the search box in File Explorer is not working properly. When you type in a search term, either nothing happens, or File Explorer freezes or crashes.
Unfortunately, this is a common issue where the Windows File Explorer search bar stops responding or fails to show results. If you’ve been struggling with the File Explorer search not working, don’t worry — here are several proven solutions you can try. We’ll go over the possible causes of the issue and share tested methods to help you restore full functionality to your File Explorer search.
Understanding File Explorer on Windows
File Explorer is a built-in Windows tool that allows you to view, organize, and manage files and folders on your computer. With File Explorer, you can easily create new folders, delete files, move items, and access files with just a few clicks. It’s a powerful file management tool that helps keep your system organized and clutter-free.
If you’re new to File Explorer, here are a few important things to know:
- File Explorer icon is usually found in the Windows taskbar. Click the folder-shaped icon to launch it.
- The interface features two panes: the left pane displays a directory of folders, while the right pane shows the contents of the selected folder.
- At the top, you’ll find the File Explorer toolbar, which gives you quick access to key functions such as creating folders, deleting files, and copy-pasting data. This is also where the search bar is located, allowing you to quickly find files and folders.
Common Reasons Why File Explorer Stops Working in Windows
Like many Windows issues, the cause of the File Explorer search box not working can vary. This problem may occur on Windows 11, Windows 10, and even earlier versions of the operating system. Below are some of the most common causes of this issue:
- Corrupted system files – Essential Windows files may become corrupted due to malware, unexpected shutdowns, or software conflicts. When this happens, File Explorer might not function as expected, especially the search box.
- Corrupt or damaged search index – The Windows search index is a database that stores metadata about files on your computer. If this index becomes corrupted or damaged, the File Explorer search may stop working or fail to return accurate results.
- Invalid file permissions – Windows file permissions control user access to files and folders. If these permissions are misconfigured, it can interfere with the search functionality in File Explorer.
- Service conflicts – Certain Windows services might conflict with File Explorer and disrupt the search feature. Verifying that all critical services are properly configured can help resolve this issue.
- Improper configuration settings – Incorrect Windows settings may also lead to File Explorer search box problems. Manually tweaking settings or using a Windows repair tool might be necessary to restore functionality.
If you believe any of the above factors are causing your File Explorer search to malfunction, you can try the recommended fixes below. If you’re unsure of the exact cause, we suggest trying each solution step-by-step until the problem is resolved.
File Explorer Won’t Open in Windows? Here’s the Solution
Here are some of the most effective solutions to fix the File Explorer search not working issue in Windows:
- Restart the File Explorer process
- Enable the Windows Search service
- Use a PowerShell command to repair search functionality
- Run the System File Checker (SFC scan)
- Modify your search options in File Explorer
- Allow Context Indexing for your files
- Rebuild the search index in Windows
- Run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter
- Restart and re-register Cortana
- Install the KB4532695 update for Windows 10
Let’s explore each of these File Explorer search fixes in more detail below.
Method 1: Restart the Windows Explorer Process
One of the simplest ways to resolve File Explorer search not working issues is to restart the Windows Explorer process. Since Windows Explorer is tightly integrated with File Explorer, restarting it can quickly fix various related problems. Follow these steps:
Open Task Manager
- Windows 10: Right-click on an empty area of the taskbar, then select Task Manager from the context menu.
- Windows 11: Right-click on the Start menu and choose Task Manager.
- You can also press Ctrl + Shift + Esc as a shortcut.
If Task Manager opens in compact mode, click More details to expand the view and access all running processes.
Restart Windows Explorer
- In the Processes tab, locate Windows Explorer.
- Select it, then click the Restart button at the bottom-right corner.
The screen might flicker briefly — your taskbar, desktop, and open windows may temporarily disappear, indicating that Windows Explorer is rebooting. This process typically takes less than a minute.
Method 2: Enable the Windows Search Service
If restarting Explorer doesn’t help, the next step is to enable the Windows Search service. This service helps index files and folders, making search operations faster and more efficient.
Enable Windows Search Service
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type
services.mscand click OK to launch the Services window.
- Scroll down and find Windows Search in the list.
- Right-click it and select Properties.
- Set Startup type to Manual.
- If the service is not running, click Start.
- Click Apply, then OK to save changes.
Close the Services window, then check if the File Explorer search issue is resolved. If not, proceed to the next method.
Method 3: Use a PowerShell Command
PowerShell is a powerful tool that can help troubleshoot and fix various system issues, including problems with File Explorer search. By running a specific PowerShell command, you can resolve the search issue. Here’s how to do it:
Open PowerShell as Administrator
- Type PowerShell in the Windows Search bar.
- In the search results, right-click on Windows PowerShell and select Run as Administrator.
- When the User Account Control (UAC) prompt appears, click Yes to grant administrative permissions. This step is essential for running PowerShell with elevated rights.
Execute the PowerShell Command
- Copy and paste the following command into the PowerShell window: powershellCopierModifier
Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.Windows.Search | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"} - Press Enter to execute the command.
- Wait for the process to complete before checking if the File Explorer search is working properly again.
Method 4: Run the System File Checker
If you’re dealing with corrupt system files, using the System File Checker (SFC) tool can help restore your system’s integrity and fix errors related to File Explorer search. Follow these steps:
Open Command Prompt as Administrator
- Click the magnifying glass icon on your taskbar to open the Search bar.
Alternatively, press Windows + S as a shortcut. - Type Command Prompt in the search box.
- Right-click Command Prompt in the results and choose Run as Administrator.
- If the User Account Control (UAC) prompt appears, click Yes to grant administrative permissions.
Run the SFC Command
Wait for System File Checker to finish scanning and repairing any corrupted system files. This tool will automatically detect and fix errors related to system files, improving File Explorer functionality.
In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter: sfc /scannow
Method 5: Change Your Search Options
In some cases, adjusting the search options in File Explorer can resolve issues with the File Explorer search box not working. Here’s how you can modify these settings:
Open File Explorer and Access Search Options
- Open File Explorer by clicking its icon on the taskbar or using the Windows + E shortcut.
- Click the See More button (three dots) and select Options from the context menu.
On Windows 10, you may need to go to View > Options instead.
Modify Search Settings
- Switch to the Search tab.
- Ensure that the Always search file names and contents (this might take several minutes) option is selected.
- Click Apply to save your changes and check if the File Explorer search issue is resolved.
If the problem persists, try restarting your computer. Sometimes, changes may not take effect until the system is rebooted.
Method 6: Allow Context Indexing for Files
Context indexing helps File Explorer improve its search results by adding additional context about files to the search index. Enabling context indexing can make it easier to find files. To enable it, follow these steps:
Enable Context Indexing
- Open File Explorer by clicking the taskbar icon or pressing Windows + E.
- Right-click on your Local Disk (usually the C: drive) and select Properties from the context menu.
- Under the General tab, ensure that Allow files on this drive to have contents indexed in addition to file properties is checked.
- Click Apply to confirm the changes.
Repeat for Other Drives
If you have other drives, repeat these steps for each one. After enabling context indexing on all drives, restart your computer and check if the File Explorer search issue is resolved.
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Method 7: Rebuild the Search Index
If restarting File Explorer and enabling the Windows Search service didn’t resolve the issue, rebuilding the search index might help. This process refreshes the search index and can address any underlying problems causing the File Explorer search box not working. Follow these steps to rebuild the search index:
Open Indexing Options
- Type Indexing Options in the Windows Search bar.
- Click on Indexing Options from the search results to open it. This will take you to the Control Panel.
Rebuild the Search Index
- Click the Advanced button. You may be prompted to provide administrator access to make changes.
- In the File Types tab, select Index Properties and File Contents under the How should this file be indexed? section.
- Confirm your selection and check if rebuilding the search index resolves the File Explorer search issue.
Method 8: Run the Search and Indexing Troubleshooter
Windows provides built-in troubleshooters to help resolve various system issues. The Search and Indexing troubleshooter can help diagnose and fix problems related to search functionality on your computer. To run the troubleshooter, follow these steps:
Run the Troubleshooter
- Click the Start menu on your taskbar and select Settings, or press Windows + I to open Settings directly.
- Navigate to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. If you’re using Windows 10, go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
- Select the Search and Indexing troubleshooter and click Run. Windows will automatically start scanning for issues related to searching files.
- Choose the problems that apply to you and click Next.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to resolve the issue with the File Explorer search box.
If this doesn’t solve the issue, there are still other solutions you can try to fix the File Explorer search problem.
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Method 9: Restart and Re-Register Cortana
Cortana is a helpful feature that assists with finding information and performing tasks on your computer. However, sometimes it may be necessary to restart or re-register Cortana to fix File Explorer search issues. Here’s how to do it:
Restart and Re-register Cortana Using PowerShell
- Open the Windows Search bar and type PowerShell.
- In the search results, right-click on Windows PowerShell and select Run as Administrator.
- When prompted by the User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to grant administrative permissions.
- Copy and paste the following command into the PowerShell window:
Get-AppXPackage -Name Microsoft.Windows.Cortana | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
- Wait for the command to finish running.
- After completion, restart your device and check if you can successfully search for files in File Explorer.
Method 10: Install the KB4532695 Update on Windows 10
If your Windows system is outdated, it might require an update to fix the File Explorer search box not working issue. Many users have resolved this problem by installing the KB4532695 update, which includes a fix for this specific bug.
Install the Update
- Download the KB4532695 update from the Microsoft Update Catalog.
2. Install the update on your device.
3. Once the installation is complete, check if the issue with the File Explorer search box is resolved.
Conclusion
The search box in File Explorer is an essential tool for managing files on your computer. If you’re facing issues with it, the tips and solutions above should help you resolve the problem. However, if none of these steps work, you may need to consult tech support for further assistance.
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