Search not working.

meditek · 17 Jan 2022

I have the following problem which has recently appeared:-
1. Attempts to use Win search from Taskbar or explorer fail because :-
a) They will not accept input
b) Briefly goes black blank on pressing return which is accompanied by
c) 5 blue dots crossing the top of the screen

So far I have established :-
a) running in safe mode restores search
b) turning off startup programs does not cure it.
c) it was not the result of a windows update.

I suspect it is a service but, lacking service install dates makes checking that out a long and tedious operation. Hoping someone may have the answer? I'm assuming safe mode only loads a few of them.
Thanks
Winver 10 x 64 Pro 21H1 (19043.1110)

dalchina · 17 Jan 2022

I have the following problem which has recently appeared:

What have you recently installed/uninstalled?
Have you tried using a suitable System Restore point?

If you search generally for e.g.
"cannot type in search bar"
you may find guides like this:
FIX: Cannot type in Windows 10 Search bar. (Solved) - wintips.org - Windows Tips & How-tos
Fix Unable to type in windows 10 search bar
FIX: Windows 10/11 can't type in search box

Similarly if you use tenforums as a resource and search for a string like that, you will find more ideas.

Please create a new user account for diagnostic purposes.

Report if you see the same thing when logged in as that user.

Return to the original user. As you say Safe Mode seems ok, perform a clean boot.
Report if search then works.

Thanks.

(If you think it's some service setting that's incorrect, there's a tutorial - in the Tutorial section (!) on restoring services to default).

meditek · 17 Jan 2022

Many thanks Dalchina but a 5 day old backup restored normality so this is now solved for me.However a complete 21h2 resetinstall failed to cure. The search problem continues and,frankly, looking at the number of Services I am at a loss about how find a possible culprit