Search bar graphic glitch half grey

hexaae · 03 Jun 2022

I have this random issue opening Search clicking on the search gadget (see pic)
Have no idea what's causing it but I have had this problem form many months, never solved.
When it happens, if I start typing it won't go away, but if I click into the panel area it will disappear showing the menu as usual.
Windows 10 21H1 (19043.1706)

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It doesn't seem an isolated case:
Search bar graphic glitch half grey - Cerca con Google

Try3 · 03 Jun 2022

Personally, I'd go to the computer maker's support site to reinstall the display driver in case it has developed a glitch [even if it is the same version as the one already installed].

If the problem persisted, I'd check if the problem happened
1 For another user account even if I had to create one for the test - Add Local Account ... - TenForumsTutorials
2 In Safe mode - Boot into Safe Mode [see Option 3] - TenForumsTutorials

Best of luck,
Denis

hexaae · 04 Jun 2022

Video drivers are ok, it's not a video glitch but a software issue in the search component of some kind, apparently...

From a comparison with fresh install in VBox (left) I've found some differences in the registry keys for SearchUI (C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy\SearchApp.exe):

Search bar graphic glitch half grey-image.png

(differences at the bottom are just for the Jumplist history so we can ignore them...)

P.S.
I just added also the value "BingSearchEnabled"=dword:00000000, let's see if this is enough to stop this random glitch

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Changed 2 things:

added the value "BingSearchEnabled"=dword:00000000 to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search
changed NVidia settings for SearchUI profile to use application settings for anisotropic filter ignoring driver's customization for SearchApp.exe:

2 days and is still ok 🤞🏻

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It just happened again

hexaae · 11 Jun 2022

The bug seems in Cortana's Web support for the search bar: if I disable Registry key

Code:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search]
"CortanaConsent"=dword:00000000

then it's not reproducible anymore. This will remove Web searches from search bar.

BTW, it seems I can keep "CortanaConsent"=dword:00000000 but restore Web search adding just "BingSearchEnabled"=dword:00000001

dalchina · 11 Jun 2022

Hi, looking at this from another possible angle (just a guess) - from something (I think!) I read, given the way the Search box is rendered is partly dependent on on-line interaction with a server, I wondered if you'd tried seeing how it appears offline.

Further, have you tried using a different DNS?

Just for interest: Winaero's tweaker has this option:

Search bar graphic glitch half grey-1.jpg

It may be of interest to read the linked description - it starts with older builds.

hexaae · 11 Jun 2022

Yes, I'm experimenting exactly this... The suspect at this point is something between Search - Cortana - Web Search from the search bar... Will try different things, let's see if I can really isolate the root cause... I also use a custom DNS ("Next DNS") so have to disable it and try if network connection to MS servers could be affected, indirectly causing the glitch.

dalchina · 11 Jun 2022

DNSjumper (free) is a neat tool to find and set fastest DNS and show speed of response.

hexaae · 11 Jun 2022

Thanks for the useful tool, but I use a personal list of reliable DNS. Good program though.
Another curios thing about this glitch is it seems to be caused by a problem with the size chosen by Windows when opening the search bar. Wrong auto-size due to network problems.... mmmh?

dalchina · 11 Jun 2022

Have you checked the response speed of your DNS?

I just added also the value "BingSearchEnabled"=dword:00000000, let's see if this is enough to stop this random glitch

- I don't have this- I know some fixes for blank search suggest adding it.

Have you checked when logged in to a newly created user account as Try3 suggested?

hexaae · 11 Jun 2022

It's a totally random glitch. Not easy to "test and go"... sometimes won't happen for days, then it suddenly reappears and disappears if I simply ignore it some hours later... there must be a MS tricky bug somewhere as it was reported by other users on the net as I linked in my #1 msg.
I will try different things in the next days: no DNS, no network etc. when it happens...