Search can't find anything (even "calculator") -- eternally loading

Hi! I upgraded my Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit install to Windows 10 Pro 64-bit (build 10240 from "winver") last month. The Start Menu search, ever since I upgraded, has always been really slow at finding things, but now it's died. I have a pretty decent, but old laptop: i7-2670QM quad-core, 8GB DDR3, GT 555M, Plextor M3S 256GB SSD. The SSD is a tad full (15GB free), but it worked fine on Windows 7.

Nothing is found: the search is perpetually stuck on those 5 loading dots, even when I search for "control panel", "windows update", or "calculator". This is after waiting 30 seconds:



I've tried:

1. Rebooting - no change
2. Rebuilding the search index - no change ("278,754 items indexed. Indexing complete.")
3. Adding "Program Files" & "Program Files (x86)" to the search index - no change
4. Turned online results off - no change
5. Turned Cortana off - no change
6. Ran the System File Checker (sfc /scannow) - no errors found
7. Ran a virus scan (Avira Free), a malware scan (Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware Free), and I use an exploit blocker (Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit Free). All detected 0 viruses/malware/exploits.

What is the issue here? I would've thought finding the dang Calculator app should've worked! The File Explorer search is working fine. Just the Start Menu search is dead.

I have this issue as well.. only real fix is waiting it out and trying it later or just creating shortcuts to what you normally search for.. it's been doing this to me for awhile.

Hi there,
Try running Search Troubleshooter. Open Run (Win+R) and write "Control" and click OK. Open Troubleshooting->View All->Search and Indexing troubleshooter.

Second options is to open services. Open Run and type services.msc. Scroll down and find "Windows Search". Make sure it's running.

I have got into this problem thrice. Once rebuilding index worked. Other two times above two solution worked for me :) Good Luck!

BrandonR188 said:

I have this issue as well.. only real fix is waiting it out and trying it later or just creating shortcuts to what you normally search for.. it's been doing this to me for awhile.

Wow, someone else has it! I thought that there would've been outrage online if this was even slightly widespread. Huh...

parassidhu said:

Hi there,
Try running Search Troubleshooter. Open Run (Win+R) and write "Control" and click OK. Open Troubleshooting->View All->Search and Indexing troubleshooter.

Second options is to open services. Open Run and type services.msc. Scroll down and find "Windows Search". Make sure it's running.

I have got into this problem thrice. Once rebuilding index worked. Other two times above two solution worked for me :) Good Luck!

Oh, wow, 3 times? Shucks. Thank you for the suggestions. But, neither worked on my laptop. Hmmm...what crazyness is going on with this Search?

To keep the running tally going,

8. Tried "Search and Indexing Troubleshooter" (w/ admin privileges) - "Troubleshooter couldn't identify the problem"
9. Checked "Windows Search" service - was running - restarted - no change

I think some Windows Update crushed the search function. Can you remember if you had installed any update before it stopped working.

You can try if Windows 10 searches something in Safe Mode or not. Try DiSM /RestoreHealth command too...

You could try resetting windows services as those might have been "tweaked" in Windows 7 and were left unmodified after the upgrade.

I have the sama problem, on and off. Usually a reboot helps in my case.

AveYo said:

You could try resetting windows services as those might have been "tweaked" in Windows 7 and were left unmodified after the upgrade.

this is a good suggestion but I upgraded from 8.1 to 10 and soon after did a clean install.. I think it's something to do with 10 tho.. good suggestion still.

Hi! OK, I reboot often (maybe 1-2 times a day) and it never fixed it. But, then, one day, after I rebooted, Search started working and it been working since (even after two more restarts). Fingers crossed?

Thanks for all the suggestions; I'll keep them available just in case it comes back.

Same problem pal sorry but I do not know how to fix it or why this problem happens but like someone else here a Restart help me to fix it