No search !!

PoloNut · 21 Jun 2022

Hi all
your help please.
I have 3 desktops (2x64 bit + 1x32Bit)
3x Laptops (2x64 Bit + 1x32Bit)
All are on the latest W10 version, complete with all updates.

For many months (with the exception of the desktop 32bit machine) I cannot get the search facility to work. I believe (?) I have tried all the recommended workarounds with no success.
I click on the search icon next to the start button - a window appears, and after a couple of seconds disappears. In all other respects all the computers perform without any problems.
The windows 10 search facility is very good, and greatly missed - any guidance welcomed on this issue.
Thanks in advance.
C
21H2 (OS BUILD 19044.1766)

dalchina · 21 Jun 2022

Hi, it's strange you're experiencing this on multiple PCs - this tends to suggest e.g. a 3rd party program or some configuration change which is common to all.

Please confirm you've tried all the various steps in this:
How To Fix Search Bar Crashing or Closing in Windows 10 - YouTube

Note the lines needed are in the text below the video.

Similar here:
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...6-d0a37c1d7355

If you still have this problem, please create a new user for test purposes. Log in as that user and advise if you still have the same problem.

If you then you still have this problem, perform a clean boot and advise if you still have the same problem.
Thanks.

Note: Open Shell (free) is an excellent fully featured customisable start menu which many here find better than Windows' own. It also provides its own customisable search box.

PoloNut · 21 Jun 2022

Thanks dalchina
have been down through that route so many times in the past without success!
The interesting thing is that when I get to the list for troubleshooting, and select the first option - it goes through and says item fixed!
regardless of this message - there is NO fix.
All other suggestions welcomed.
Was interested in the comment that a 3rd party app might be responsible, as all computers have roughly the same contents.

dalchina · 21 Jun 2022

Was interested in the comment that a 3rd party app might be responsible

- so specifically, have you done the last two steps in my post? Thanks

(You can also check the search box stays up in Safe Mode).

PoloNut · 21 Jun 2022

Yes done but with same negative result.
Will now start in safe mode and see what happens
C

LATEST
tried safe mode - no change.

dalchina · 21 Jun 2022

Ok, that really leaves you with an in-place upgrade repair install, assuming there's nothing 'added' running in Safe Mode (there are a few 3rd party items that can run even in Safe Mode).

That doesn't explain why this happens on several machines- have you used any sort of cleaner or tweaker?

Or made any unusual configuration changes?

Considering the clean boot that you tried- if you wished you could check to see if there's anything running that might be responsible.
Autoruns (free from MS) lets you see all startups, for example.

Ztruker · 21 Jun 2022

Any software common across all the computers other than the OS?

dalchina · 21 Jun 2022

@Ztruker - note that Polonut has tried a clean boot, so that (probably) leaves the effect of something that's been run...

Ztruker · 24 Jun 2022

dalchina said:

@Ztruker - note that Polonut has tried a clean boot, so that (probably) leaves the effect of something that's been run...

Good point.

gz5 · 27 Jun 2022

Was any solution found for this, as I have the exact same issue! Same windows version, and exact same symptoms. I go to type something into the search bar ("Type here to search") it shows a grey window (like it wants to show something), then that window disappears, and thats all.
Very frustrating. Have tried sfc /scannow, dism cleanimage command, reinstalling cortana via powershell, nothing works. :-(