Fix problems in Windows Search

Try our Virtual Agent - It can help you quickly identify and fix common Windows Search issues.

If Windows Search is unresponsive or the search results don't appear as expected, try any of the following solutions.

Original KB number: 4520146

Solution 1: Restart Windows Font Cache Service

Sometimes, you can resolve Windows Search issues by restarting Windows Font Cache Service. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. In the search box on the taskbar, enter services.msc to open the Services console.
  2. In the right pane, right-click Windows Font Cache Service, and then select Stop.
  3. Try to search again.
  4. In the Services console, right-click Windows Font Cache Service, and then select Start.

Solution 2: Check for updates

When you use Windows 11 or Windows 10, you can choose when and how to get the latest updates to keep your device running smoothly and securely. To manage your options and see any available updates, select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates. Install any available updates, and then restart your computer if the updates require it.

For more information, see Update Windows.

Solution 3: Run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter

Windows automatically indexes content to deliver faster search results. If you're running Windows 10, version 1903 (May 2019 Update) or a later version, and Windows detects a problem, Windows automatically runs the Search troubleshooter. This troubleshooter resets Windows Search to the default experience. To view your troubleshooter history, select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > View History.

Use the Windows Search and Indexing troubleshooter to try to fix any problems that might arise. To use the troubleshooter, follow these steps:

  1. Open a Command Prompt window, and then run the following command:

    msdt.exe -ep WindowsHelp id SearchDiagnostic
    
  2. Run the troubleshooter and select any problems that apply. Windows tries to detect and solve those problems.

For more information about Search and Indexing, see the following articles:

Follow these steps to end the SearchUI process. Stopping this process stops Windows Search. The next time that you search, Windows Search automatically starts.

  1. Select Ctrl+Alt+Delete, and then select Task Manager.
  2. In Task Manager, select Details.
  3. In the Name column, right-click SearchUI.exe, and then select End task.
  4. When you're prompted to end SearchUI.exe, select End process.

If this solution doesn't fix your problem, try restarting your device. Restarting also installs any pending updates.

Note

Before you restart, consider bookmarking this page.

Try resetting Windows Search by using the method that's appropriate for your version of Windows. To determine which version of Windows your device is running, follow these steps:

  1. Select Start > Settings > System > About.
  2. Under Windows specifications, check which version of Windows your device is running.

Note

Resetting Windows Search doesn't affect your files. However, it may temporarily affect the relevance of search results.

Reset Windows Search when using Windows 10, version 1809 or an earlier version

If the computer runs Windows 10 October 2018 Update or an earlier update, follow these steps to reset Windows Search by resetting Cortana:

  1. Select Start, right-click Cortana, and then select More > App settings.
  2. In the Cortana settings, select Reset.

Reset Windows Search when using Windows 11, Windows 10, version 1903, or a later version

If the computer runs Windows 11, Windows 10 May 2019 Update, or a later update, you can use a Windows PowerShell script to reset Windows Search.

Important

  • You must have administrator permissions to run this script.
  • If your organization has disabled the ability to run scripts, contact your administrator for help.

To reset Windows Search by using PowerShell, follow these steps:

  1. Check the Windows PowerShell execution policy on the affected computer. To allow the script to run, the execution policy must be set to Unrestricted.

    1. To check the execution policy, open an elevated PowerShell window, and then run the following cmdlet:

      Get-ExecutionPolicy
      
    2. If the execution policy is Unrestricted, go to step 2. Otherwise, record the value for later use. Then, run the following cmdlet:

      Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted
      

      Important

      This cmdlet generates a warning message that explains the security risks of an execution policy change. To accept the change, select Y, and then select Enter.

      To learn more about PowerShell execution policies, see About Execution Policies.

    3. After the policy change finishes, close the PowerShell window.

  2. Download ResetWindowsSearchBox.ps1 from Reset Windows Search PowerShell script, and save the file to a local folder.

  3. Right-click the file that you saved, and then select Run with PowerShell.

  4. If you're asked the following question, select Yes.

    Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?

    The PowerShell script resets the Windows Search feature.

  5. When the word Done appears, do one of the following:

    • If you didn't change the execution policy to run the script, close the PowerShell window.

    • If you changed the execution policy, keep the PowerShell window open and select any key to continue. Run the following command in the PowerShell window:

      Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser -ExecutionPolicy <PreviousValue>
      

      In this command, <PreviousValue> represents the original execution policy. As you did previously, accept the policy change by selecting Y and then selecting Enter.

  6. Close the PowerShell Window.

Note

If the execution policy is not set correctly, you receive a message that resembles the following:

Cannot be loaded because running scripts is disabled on this system.

Return to the earlier steps in this procedure to check the execution policy and change it if needed. Then, run the script again.

Solution 6: Regenerate the Microsoft.Windows.Search package AppData folder

Note

Use the Windows Recovery Environment, or sign out and then sign in to another user account.

Important

This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For protection, back up the registry before you modify it so that you can restore it if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, see How to back up and restore the registry in Windows.

  1. Make sure that Windows Search works for a newly created Windows account.

  2. Delete the %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy folder.

    Note

    In some earlier versions of Windows, this folder is named Microsoft.Windows.Cortana_cw5n1h2txyewy.

  3. While you're signed in by using the affected account, start Registry Editor, and then navigate to the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search subkey.

  4. Delete the Search registry key.

  5. Open an elevated PowerShell Window, and then run the following cmdlet:

    Add-AppxPackage -Path "C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy\Appxmanifest.xml" -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register
    
  6. Restart the computer.

  7. Try to search again. This action restarts search indexing and regenerates the registry key and the AppData folder.

Help us improve Search in Windows

If the previous suggestions don't fix the problem, let us know by sending feedback in the Feedback Hub. Provide details, such as a description of the problem, screenshots, log files, and any other information that might be helpful. In the Feedback Hub, select the appropriate category and subcategory. In this case, submit your feedback in the Cortana and Search category.