8 Ways to Fix File Explorer Search Not Working on Windows 11
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Before you begin, tryrestarting the File Explorerapp and fixing corrupted files using anSFC scan.
Fix 1: Restart Windows Search Service
File Explorer is a part of Windows Explorer Services. It starts with the system startup. If the service doesn’t start automatically in the background, the search function might break for you.
Step 1:Press theWindows + Rkeys to open the Run dialog box
Step 2:Typeservices.mscand hitEnter.
Step 3:When the UAC prompt appears, chooseYes. Scroll toWindows Searchin the Services window andright-clickon it. OpenPropertiesfrom the context menu.
Step 4:SelectAutomaticfrom the Startup type menu > selectStop> hitStart.
Open File Manager and try the search function again.
Fix 2: Run Search and Indexing Troubleshooter
Windows 11 comes with handy troubleshooters to fix such system-level glitches. There’s a dedicated troubleshooter for Search and Indexing files in Windows.
Step 1:PressWindows + Ikeys to open Windows Settings.
Step 2:SelectSystemfrom the left > click onTroubleshooton the right.
Step 3:ClickOther troubleshooters.
Step 4:Click on theRunbutton next to the Search and indexing troubleshooter.
Fix 3: Check Search Options
You can enable the Always search file names and contents option in File Explorer properties.
Step 1:Press theWindows + Ekeys to open the File Explorer menu.
Step 2:Select thethree-dot menuat the top to open Options.
Step 3:Go to theSearchmenu.
Step 4:Enable theAlways search file names and contentsoption > hitOK.
The search function may act slowly as it searches for file names and content in the app.
Fix 4: Allow File Indexing
Sometimes, the search results come empty when thefiles don’t indexin the drive.
Step 1:Press theWindows + Ekeys to open File Explorer on Windows.
Step 2:Select thethree horizontal dotsmenu on the top ribbon and openProperties.
Step 3:SelectAdvancedunder theGeneraltab.
Step 4:Check the box forAllow files on this drive to have contents indexed in addition to file propertiesand clickOK.
Fix 5: Rebuild Search Index
If your computer has an old Search Index, a list of files on your computer, it might not give you accurate and updated search results. If the Search Index was stopped or deactivated, you could get it back in action. You can rebuild the search index to fix the search not working in the File Explorer issue.
Step 1:Press theWindows key> search forControl Panel> hitEnterand open it.
Step 2:SelectIndexing Options.
Step 3:Select theAdvancedbutton.
Step 4:ClickRebuildand hitOK.
Fix 6: Check Folder Permission
If you have denied a folder permission on Windows, the File Explorer search won’t work as expected.
Step 1:LaunchFile Exploreron Windows.
Step 2:Right-click on afolderand openProperties.
Step 3:Go to theSecuritytab > clickEdit.
Step 4:Enable all thecheckmarksbelow Allow > clickApply>OK.
Restart the File Explorer app on Windows and try searching for your files again.
Fix 7: Clear File Explorer Cache
File Explorer collects cache in the background to improve the app’s performance. However, when the app collects a corrupt cache, the search function may fail to work properly.
Step 1:Hit theWindows key> search forFile Exploreroptions.
Step 2:ClickClearbeside Clear File Explorer history >Apply>OK.
Fix 8: Assign System Permissions to a Folder
If the File Explorer search isn’t working for a specific folder, you need to assign system permission to it.
Step 1:OpenFile Manager(Windows + E keys) andright-clickon a folder.
Step 2:OpenPropertiesfrom the context menu.
Step 3:Slide to theSecuritymenu.
Step 4:EnsureSystemis selected by default. If not, click theEditbutton.
Step 5:PressAdd> typeSYSTEM.
Step 6:ClickCheck names> hitOK.
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Last updated on 12 August, 2024
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