If the Windows search function is not working for you, please work through the following options in turn to resolve the issue:



Option 1


Run the built-in troubleshooter as below:

Select Start > Settings. 
In Windows Settings, select Update & Security > Troubleshoot. 
Under Find and fix other problems, select Search and Indexing. 
Run the troubleshooter and select any problems that apply.



Option 2


Restart the Windows Search service by pressing the Windows key plus R. enter services.msc and press the enter to proceed.

Locate the Windows Search service. 
Restart it by right-clicking on it. You may try using the search again right now.

Right-clicking a process allows access to its properties, where you may change its startup mode to "Automatic." After making these changes, remember to hit the Apply and OK buttons.





Option 3


If the above doesn't fix the issue, corrupt system files may be the cause. This can be resolved as follows:

Click on the Start menu and scroll to Windows System folder.  
Expand the folder and right-click the Command Prompt
Select More and Run as administrator

Once the Command Prompt window appears, type in sfc /scannow and press enter


Upon completion of the verification, it will provide a response to confirm if anything was found and/or fixed.



Option 4


Open Task Manager  (CRTL+SHIFT+ESC)

Right-click on Windows Explorer

Select End task from the options  (Note that this will remove the entire task bar, don't worry this is normal).




While still in Task Manager, click File > run new task

Type in explorer.exe and press OK



Your search bar should be functional again.