[SOLVED] Can't enter search into search box

[mallomar]

Windows 10 version is Version 20H2 (OS Build 19042.985).

I think my problems with Windows search started after the latest Windows update, which I think occurred on May 7. Since then, I'd been having intermittent problems with the search window not working (can't enter text into it). It would always start working again after I fiddled with things like closing files and shutting down programs. But a few hours ago, the search box refused to worked, and I just can't get it to work again. I tried various things (too many to document, and none of them worked anyway). One change I made was changing "delayed start" or something like that.

I tried this:

"Run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter
Select Start, then select 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. Windows will try to detect and solve them.

Restart the Windows Search application. Not run.

Reset the Windows Search process (SearchUI.exe), remove any Windows Search cache files and folders, and clear any Recent activity"

But I couldn't figure out how to reset that Windows Search Process. I'm ancient and don't know much about what goes on under the hood. I've spent about 3 hours fiddling with various procedures I found on the web (like stopping and starting Windows Search), but nothing's helping. Task Manager says WSearch is running.

I'm hoping to find advice with clear instructions. I rely on Windows search, and use it very frequently.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Ralston18]

Just as a matter of record and good housekeeping do you have all important data backed up?

Data should be backed up at least 2 x and stored at other locations away from the problem computer. Verify that all data is indeed recoverable and readable.

There are two other Windows tools you can apply: "sfc /scannow" and "dism"

References:

https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-use-sfc-scannow-to-repair-windows-system-files-2626161

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-dism-command-line-utility-repair-windows-10-image

However, before running them:

Look in Reliability History for error codes etc. that correspond with failed search attempts. Reliability History uses a timeline format that can be very revealing.

Likewise look in Update History for problems with updates on or about May 7th.

 

[mallomar]

Thanks for your response.

I do backups (Macrium images) on alternating portable hard drives. The drives are kept in a different room. I think they're WD drives.

That Reliability History thing was very interesting. I was wrong about when the Windows Updates started -- It was 5/17 (not 5/7). The history only goes back to 5/16, but it showed me a lot of incidents I'd forgotten about on 5/17. All of the updates were listed as successful, but a couple of minutes before the last successful update, a Windows Modules Installer Worker stopped working. Don't know if that's a big deal or nothing special.

On 5/18, the search application stopped working 11 times. In the following days, the number of stoppages increased. Today, it stopped working 136 times (so far).

I checked update history, and I see a bunch of successful Windows updates on the 16th and 17th.

Should I do those two Windows tools now? Is there anything else I should do before that?

 

[mallomar]

Just as a matter of record and good housekeeping do you have all important data backed up?

Data should be backed up at least 2 x and stored at other locations away from the problem computer. Verify that all data is indeed recoverable and readable.

There are two other Windows tools you can apply: "sfc /scannow" and "dism"

References:

https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-use-sfc-scannow-to-repair-windows-system-files-2626161

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-dism-command-line-utility-repair-windows-10-image

However, before running them:

Look in Reliability History for error codes etc. that correspond with failed search attempts. Reliability History uses a timeline format that can be very revealing.

Likewise look in Update History for problems with updates on or about May 7th.

Things seem to be back to normal, at least for now. I found out that Microsoft had a newer update and I ran it,. Took over an hour, but now my search is working again. I guess Microsoft had been getting a lot of complaints about the search issue.

But I was glad to find out about that Reliability History and Update History you told me about. Interesting info. Thanks.