Can't Type In Search Bar and Windows 10 Built-in Apps.

Hello,
I've been having this issue for quite a while, even before the last major update.
Seems like I can't find a way to correct it.
If I bring up the search bar, by right-clicking on the Windows Logo Icon within the taskbar.
Then select search.
I'm unable to type anything into the search box.



However, I can type into notepad, copy that text and past it into the search bar.
This also works for other Windows 10 built-in apps, for which typing text is required.
The keyboard I'm using is the Logitech G413, which is only a few months old.
I've also moved the USB cables to a different port, without any effect.
I've also tried a secondary keyboard, the Cooler Master NovaTouch TKL and this keyboard also shows the same behavior. No matter which USB port it's connected to.
I've also tried using the on-screen keyboard, and this also will not type into the search bar, or Windows 10 built-in apps.

Any suggestions?

Hi, you could try:
Unable to type in Cortana and Search box in Windows 10 (3 Possible Solutions) - YouTube

(Text is visible if you click 'Show More')

Unable to type in W10 Cortana Search or Settings since recent updates - Page 2 - Windows 10 Forums
post #12

dalchina said:

Hi, you could try:
Unable to type in Cortana and Search box in Windows 10 (3 Possible Solutions) - YouTube

(Text is visible if you click 'Show More')

Unable to type in W10 Cortana Search or Settings since recent updates - Page 2 - Windows 10 Forums
post #12

@dalchina

Thanks for your reply.

I went into Services and noticed that the Touch Keyboard and Handwriting panel service,
or ctfmon.exe had been disabled.

I don't play with the services very often and don't remember disabling this service myself.
However, upon setting this service to Manual (Trigger Start).


I'm now able to type normally into the search box and into other win 10 apps, when required.

The Pool Man said:

May I just say that's the best visual aid posted to a board I've ever seen?

@The Pool Man

Thanks.
I help run a website dedicated to the open source raster graphics program GIMP.
Often times, I may need to create tutorials, with many images.
To explain a given task.
This has been a style of images, that I've developed over time, due to necessity.

Glad it helped.

dalchina said:

Glad it helped.

@dalchina

Yes, thank you.
Your video link prompted me to check the corresponding service,
which solved this annoying behavior.

Hi, it always puzzles me what causes these problems for a few people- I've never experienced this myself.

I've been having this problem for a few weeks now,

What changed when this started? Installation/uninstallation/update?
Did you try using a System Restore point?

Do you use disk imaging regularly and routinely as is endlessly recommended here?
People who don't usually ignore this question!

I don't know your build number- you mention Cortana, whose function has changed a lot in recent builds. The forum prompted you thus:

so we don't have to keep asking.

Build number is also important because of the detrimental changes MS made from build 1909 on.

Please try these two things:
a. create a new user and log in as that user, and advise whether you see the same problem.
b. logged in as the original user, please download and install Tweaking.com's free repair tool, and choose only repairs related to restoring services to default settings and Windows search.

Advise whether you see the same problem.
c. Use Option 3
Rebuild Search Index in Windows 10

d. Run the search indexing troubleshooter and report the outcome.
Windows 10 Search Not Working? How to Fix! | Beebom
- and more.

e. Perform a clean boot (Google or see tutorial if unsure how) and advise whether you see the same problem.

f. Some older ideas here, including a reference to Bing and more on the troubleshooter.

g. Get a copy of the Search indexer diagnostics tool from the Store, and use it appropriately:


(Note just for interest- recently I decided to see whether I could get instant search results for drive C: with file explorer open at C: - the usual problem is the slow green progress bar because something in the search path isn't indexed. With only some 14k items indexed, I now have instant results- a surprise, as I've only seen that before on a fully indexed drive. I suspect that's because MS has exceptions set up for folders in the O/S, but even 'enhanced indexing' doesn't support this). The result- every reason for people to reject Windows search.

Also note that from build 1909 and in Win 11, the search tab in file explorer is no longer available when you click in the search box there - you have to actually perform a search before you can see how to specify one!)