How to Fix Windows Search not Working on Windows server 2019, 2022

Sometimes the Windows search bar stops working. Usually this is related to updates but there can be other causes as well. In this guide, we will show you a few methods to solve this problem.

Step 1. Restart Windows File Explorer

In the first method, we are going to restart the Windows File Explorer. File explorer is responsible for showing files and folders on your computer. To restart this, right-click on the Windows taskbar and select Task Manager or use the keyboard combination Ctrl + Shift + Esc.

Scroll down in background processes until you reach Windows Explorer. Select it and click on the restart button.

Step 2. Search and Indexing Troubleshooter

In the second method, we are going to use the search and indexing troubleshooter. To do this, use the keyboard combination Windows + R. This opens a run window. Here, you can enter ms-settings:

Click on Update & security. After that, click on Troubleshoot on the left of the settings menu.

Next, click on Additional troubleshooters. In this window, you get an overview of all of the available troubleshooters. Scroll a bit down and select Search and Indexing. Click on Run the troubleshooter.

Here, you have a few options to choose from. In this tutorial, the logical choice is Can’t start a search or see results. You can also check, Search or indexing is slow. After that, click on next.

In our case, it suggests trying to repair Windows search as administrator. So, we’ll select this option and wait a short bit for the repair to complete. It’s possible that you have a different suggestion. The best option is to go along with what the troubleshooter says.

In our case, it suggests trying to repair Windows search as administrator. So, we’ll select this option and wait a short bit for the repair to complete. It’s possible that you have a different suggestion or it will run automatically the troubleshooting. The best option is to go along with what the troubleshooter says.

Step 3. Restart Windows Search Service

Sometimes, it happens that wrong settings are set for the Windows search bar or that the search service isn’t running. We can check this by going to the services in the Windows taskbar. Use Ctrl + Shift + Esc if you need to reopen this.

Switch to the services tab. Here you can click on Open Services.

Scroll down until you reach Windows Search. First, make sure that the status is set to running. If not, right click on it and select start. If not, right click on it and select restart.

Restart your Windows server, then try again.

Step 4. Fix Windows Search with Indexing

We are going to rebuild the indexing feature. It might be that this is the cause that Windows search isn’t working properly. Use the keyboard combination Windows + R to open another run window. Type in Control panel and hit Ok.

Change the “view by” to small or large icons. After that, search for indexing options. The indexing options menu opens

Then click on Advanced.

This opens a new window, here you can delete and rebuild the indexing options. Keep in mind that this can take quite a bit of time especially if you have an older system. When you are ready, click on the Rebuild button. A warning from Windows that this might take some time. Click on Ok.

Wait for this to complete. You will know that it is done once it says indexing complete at the top.

Conclusion

In our case after performing the above steps, we did not see the error again.

Hopefully, this article will be helpful for you. Good luck!