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Can’t Type in Windows Search Bar: Fix It With These Steps

Ensure that necessary processes are running to fix Search bar

5 min. read

Updated onMay 14, 2024

updated onMay 14, 2024

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Key notes

The Windows Search bar makes it easy to search for the files and the apps installed on your computer. However, many users reported that they can’t type in Windows Search bar.

Several of our readers have reported they can’t type in the Windows 10 search bar a few days after they have updated their OS. In this article, we are exploring what to do if you can’t type in Windows 10 Start or Search bar.

Why can’t I type in my Windows search bar?

Now that we know why typing is not possible in Windows Search, let’s go to the actual solutions.

How do I get my search bar to work again?

Before trying the solutions listed next, here are a few quick things you can do since these have worked for many users:

If the issue remains as it is, head to the next section.

1. Start CTFMon

In case this issue reappears, you might have to add ctfmon shortcut to theStartup folder on Windowsso it can always start with your PC.

2. Use a PowerShell command

These two commands have fixed things for many when they can’t type in the Windows start menu. So, make sure to give it a try.

3. Use the Registry to reset the Search bar

PressWindows+Rto openRun, typeregeditin the text field, and clickOK.
ClickYesin theUACprompt that appears.
Now, paste the following path in the address bar at the top and hitEnter:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Search

4.Double-click on theSetupCompletedSuccessfullyentry.

Enter0underValue dataand clickOKto save the changes.
Now, restart the computer for the changes to come into effect.

4. Use a dedicated file finder/search software

One of the most straightforward solutions to avoid such errors, especially when you need to find something very quickly on your PC, is to have third-partyfile finder softwareinstalled on your PC.

Third-party software apps come with up-to-date features like keyword maps that can search through unstructured data, giving you more results than your standard operating system search feature.

On top of that, dedicated file searchers can also look for keywords in your emails or document type of files to ensure you find what you are looking for.

Copernic Desktop Search is an excellent option because it can index and search over 150 file types and emails. On top of that, it has fast results and keeps your data extremely secure.

Copernic Desktop Search

5. Restart the Windows File Explorer process

6. Run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter

7. Restart Windows Search process

8. Restart Windows Search service

9. Create a new user account

Additional troubleshooting tips:

This method will also help when the Windows 10 Explorer search bar is not typing. However, if this does not solve it, we prepared more solutions torevitalize the File Explorer’s search functionality.

If you couldn’t type in the Windows search bar until now, the problem would be resolved with our expert solutions.

Please tell us which fix worked for you in the comments section below.

More about the author

Tashreef Shareef is a software developer turned tech writer. He discovered his interest in technology after reading a tech magazine accidentally. Now he writes about everything tech from Windows to iOS and streaming services to IoT at WindowsReport.

Can’t Type in Windows Search Bar: Fix It With These Steps#

How do I get my search bar to work again?#

1. Start CTFMon#

2. Use a PowerShell command#

3. Use the Registry to reset the Search bar#

4. Use a dedicated file finder/search software#

Copernic Desktop Search#

5. Restart the Windows File Explorer process#

6. Run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter#

7. Restart Windows Search process#

8. Restart Windows Search service#

9. Create a new user account#

Additional troubleshooting tips:#