Searching anything in your computer is easier thanks to Windows Search. In this feature, you can easily access your files, videos, apps, and computer settings in just a few steps instead of manually going through each folder.
However, there are instances when your File Explorer Search fails to cooperate with you. For some reason, the search option is not working properly and it reduces your productivity especially on busy days. Not finding a solution for this problem will only cost you a lot of time and energy hence you need to resolve such issue immediately.
In this post, you will find different solutions on how you can fix the problem with your File Explorer Search. Check out the steps below.
Solution 1 – Restart Your File Explorer Using the Task Manager
The problem may only be simple and a restart often solves the issue. To restart your file explorer, follow the steps below:
- Go to your taskbar, right click and select Task Manager.
- You can choose to look for Windows Explorer or if you have a lot of apps on the task manager, click the name column to list the apps by name to identify the Windows Explorer faster.
- Right click Windows Explorer and select Restart. It will automatically restart the application.
- After reboot, click on the file searching to see if it works or not.
Solution 2 – Check if Your Windows Search Service is Running
- First, open the Run Dialog Box by pressing both Windows Key + R simultaneously.
- Once opened, type services.msc and click OK.
- A list will open. Look for Windows Search Service and right click to open a drop down menu.
- Click Properties to open Windows Search Properties.
- Locate the Startup type and change it to Automatic.
- Under the Service Status category, click Run if the service does not indicate Running.
- At the bottom, click OK to apply the changes you have made.
- Restart your computer.
Solution 3 – Troubleshoot Search and Indexing
- Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Then, type Control Panel and press Enter or click OK.
- Under the Control Panel section, look for Troubleshooting. Click to open.
- On the left side, click View All.
- Look for the Search and Indexing option. Click to open.
- Under the list of options, check the Files don’t appear in search results.
- Click Next to begin troubleshooting.
- Once Troubleshooting is done, click Close and restart your computer.
Solution 4 – Run a System File Check and DISM Scan
- To run a sfc scan, press Windows key + X and select Command Prompt (Admin).
- Next, type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
- Wait for the scan to finished.
- To run a DISM scan, first open the command prompt with admin privileges.
- Type the following commands, followed by an Enter:
- DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
- DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
- DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- Once the scan is finished, close the Command Prompt and restart your computer.
Solution 5 – Rebuild Search Index
- Press Windows Key + X and click Control Panel.
- Once open, look for the Indexing Options and click to open. If you have a hard time looking for the Indexing Options, you can adjust your viewing setup under the View by.
- Next, locate the Advanced button at the bottom of the screen and click to open.
- Click the File Types tab and look for the Index Properties and File Contents. Click the button to select the option and click OK.
- Go back to the Index Settings Tab, which is still under the Advanced Options.
- Under Troubleshooting, click the Rebuild button.
- Wait for the process to finish and restart your computer to apply the changes.
Conclusion
The issue with your File Explorer Search not working properly will no longer delay your workflow in any way if you resolve it with the right solution. Tell us in the comment section below if the solutions above works for you.
