Cannot Use Search on my Main Account

youngtomlin · 23 Sep 2020

Hello

I cannot use my search function in the bottom, left hand corner.

I click on it but it never actually allows me to search. The Menu works fine though. I have tried using the Troubleshooter which hasn't worked and I have done the PowerShell refresh which didn't do anything either. The only way I could get it to work was by making another Account and switching to that one. When I switched back, it goes back to not working again.

Is there anything I can do to get it to work again?

Thanks in advance

My windows version number is 19041.508

dalchina · 23 Sep 2020

Hi, first reaction is- difficult. Trying creating a new account is a great diagnostic check, which you've done.

That it works in that means one method used for this- an in-place upgrade repair install- will almost certainly not help you as this seems specific to your account.

I have tried using the Troubleshooter which hasn't worked

a. do you mean the Windows search troubleshooter?
b. by 'hasn't worked' do you mean
- it failed (didn't complete successfully) - in which case what did it report?
or
- it completed successfully but had not effect?

(I wouldn't expect that troubleshooter to help in this instance)

History:
- when did search last work?

If it stopped recently, suggest you us a System Restore point if available.
Otherwise restore a recent disk image, assuming you've taken the advice so, so often given to use that regularly and routinely.
(Macrium reflect, free-paid).

Similar:
Search Bar stopped working (Win 10 Pro v 2004)

Feel free to search tenforums for e.g.
clicking on search bar no response
search bar not working

youngtomlin · 23 Sep 2020

The troubleshooter completed but didn't find anything to repair.

It worked a couple days ago. I have Macrium Backups so I can use them.

dalchina · 23 Sep 2020

You could try this very specific fix:
Windows 10 search not working

A possible problem with using older solutions is that MS has made many changes in this area recently

System Restore would be preferable to using M Reflect here as that will also affect any data on the partition that has changed since the image was created.

FreeBooter · 23 Sep 2020

Use Indexer Diagnostics App for Windows Search Issues in Windows 10

youngtomlin · 23 Sep 2020

Hello, I restored using system restore as suggested and everything is working again. Is there anyway to figure out what caused it? I didn't install anything in-between my backups. Thank you for the help!

Thanks in advance.

dalchina · 24 Sep 2020

No, not now. Random chance- corruption- gamma rays from a supernova in a galaxy far, far away....

Things happen. What we think of as a linear deterministic world is mostly based on probability, some think. Hard disks don't operate on a simple 1/0 binary basis for example - but a sum of the alignments of multiple dipoles (which is why multiple wipes are required for greater security, and professional data recovery can be possible).