Resolving Issues with the Windows Search Bar Loading Forever
The Windows search bar is an indispensable tool for quickly finding files, apps, settings, and more on your PC. However, many Windows 10 users encounter an irritating issue where the search bar gets stuck in an endless loading loop.
In this comprehensive guide, we walk through proven techniques to resolve the problematic perpetual loading of the Windows search bar. Whether you are a casual home user or an IT professional, our easy-to-follow solutions will have the search bar working properly again in no time.
Restart the Windows Search Process
The simplest approach is to restart the Windows Search process. This refreshes the search index and reinitiates the search UI.
To do this:
-
Right-click the taskbar and chooseTask Manager.
-
Select theDetailstab.
-
In theNamecolumn, right-click onSearchUI.exeand chooseEnd Task.
-
When prompted, confirmEnd Process.
This will restart the Windows search bar. Try opening it again to see if the issue is resolved.
Run the Built-in Troubleshooter
If restarting the search process does not work, run the dedicated Windows Search troubleshooter. Microsoft designed this automated tool to identify and fix common search index problems.
To use it:
-
Go toSettings>Update & Security>Troubleshoot.
-
UnderOther troubleshooters, selectSearch and Indexing.
-
ClickRunand follow the on-screen directions.
The troubleshooter will scan for issues and attempt repairs. This includes rebuilding the search index from scratch.
Install Windows Updates
Another culprit could be having an outdated version of Windows 10. Microsoft continuously rolls out cumulative updates and bug fixes. Installing the latest updates may solve your perpetual loading issue.
To check for and install updates:
-
Go toSettings>Update & Security>Windows Update.
-
ClickCheck for updates. Install any available updates.
Verify Search Bar Enabled
An incorrectly configured taskbar could also be the reason behind a non-working search bar. Double check that the search box is enabled.
-
Right-click the taskbar and selectTaskbar settings.
-
Scroll to theSearchsection.
-
EnsureShow search boxis toggled On.
Restart Your PC
If all else fails, restart your PC. This refreshes system processes and memory allocations. Upon restarting, test if the Windows search bar loads correctly.
Reset Windows Search
As a last resort, reset Windows Search to default settings. This will reindex the system from scratch and revert search to a clean state.
Warning: This will remove all customizations made to Windows Search.
To reset search:
-
Open an adminCommand Prompt.
-
Type
wsreset.exeand hit Enter.
This will reset Windows Search and restart the search process. Be patient as it rebuilds the index.
When to Contact Support
If you have tried all of the above fixes and the search bar still fails to load, an underlying system file corruption may be at fault. Contact Microsoft Support for further troubleshooting. Be ready to provide detailed information about your setup and the exact nature of the problem.
Key Takeaways and Preventative Measures
A perpetually loading search bar can stop you dead in your tracks, but various proven techniques exist to revive it. Follow our step-by-step guide to determine what is causing the sticking point and implement the appropriate resolution.
To avoid similar issues in the future:
-
Install Windows updates promptly.
-
Periodically restart your PC.
-
Check Task Manager for hung processes.
-
Maintain your system disk health.
-
Exclude unnecessary folders from indexing.
-
Monitor Event Viewer for relevant error messages.
An efficient Windows Search is vital to productivity. We hope these fixes get your wayward search bar back on track. Let us know in the comments if they resolved your problem or if you discovered another effective solution!
