Windows 10: Windows Search no longer working after Anniversary Update

As the title says, my Windows Search has stopped functioning properly after the Anniversary Update.
I can click on the bar, and it will bring up an empty window, but as soon as I type in anything, it closes itself.

I've read up on some possible methods of fixing it, including restarting the Cortana process through the task manager, as well as fidgeting with the startup settings of the Windows Search service itself, but both to no avail.

There are multiple user accounts on this computer, and the others' seem to have properly-functioning search bars. I've thought about just moving my files to one of the other accounts, but there's 181 GB of stuff on my primary account and to me, transferring all that data is a little bit inconvenient just to have a functioning search bar. So, if at all possible, I'd like to avoid resorting to that method.

I'm at my wit's end....any ideas?

:)

 

DP no longer working after Anniversary update?

Other than uninstalling and reinstalling the AMD drivers, that did nothing.

 

DP no longer working after Anniversary update?

Hi,

I will be glad to help you with the issue you have with the computer.



What is the make and model of your computer?

The issue could be related to Display drivers then please try the steps provided to uninstall the
Display Adapter from Device Manager, uninstall the device drivers from program list and then download the latest drivers from the manufacturer's website.



Step 1:

Uninstall the Device from Device Manager

• Open Device Manager
• Expand the Display Adapter section.
  
• Find the Display card Driver.
• Right click Display card Driver and select
  Uninstall.
• Select the check box delete the driver software for this device.
• Reboot the computer after uninstall process has finished.

Step 2:

Uninstall the Device Drivers from Program List in Control Panel

• Click on start, select Control Panel
• Now click on Programs and select Programs and Features.
• Find the Display card Driver.
• Right click Display card Driver and select
  Uninstall.
• Reboot the computer after the uninstall process has finished.

Hope this information is helpful. Please post in case you have any further issues, I will be glad to help you.

 

Hi, could you clarify which search you are referring to exactly?
Do you mean Cortana's search- typically the search bar on the task bar? (I would assume so).
(There's also the search field in file explorer).

It sounds as if that user account is corrupted, as others work normally, suggesting no basic Windows corruption.

You can try re-registering Cortana for that account - See under Option 2
Apps - Reinstall and Re-register in Windows 8 and 10 - Windows 10 Forums

Can you post a screenshot with Cortana displayed (e.g. Windows key + S).
You will need to use the full screen 'Prt Sc' key or similar on your keyboard, then paste that into e.g. Paint and save it.

 

Hi there dalchina,

I am indeed referring to the Cortana search in the task bar. I've attached a screenshot of what it looks like when I click on the bar, but that doesn't really tell the full story, as it looks like it's functioning correctly until I try to actually use it.
I've also included a gif of what exactly happens when I do try to use it.

I'll try using that method you mentioned tomorrow morning and see if that works.

 

Well I tried using that re-registering method, and it didn't work. I tried using that code in both cmd and powershell and neither seemed to do anything. *Sad
However, in Powershell, it gave me some kind of error, maybe someone more familiar with this kinda thing can help steer me in the right direction?

 

Hi, you didn't follow the instructions. The section begins
To Re-register a Specific App for Current Account


Note
This option is only for Windows 10.




1. Open a command prompt.

2. Copy and paste the command below for the Windows app you want to reset into the command prompt, and press Enter. When finished, you can close the command prompt if you like.

 

I've already tried using the re-registering code in the cmd command prompt, and it still doesn't seem like it's solved the issue... *Sad

 

Ok, so presumably you didn't get a syntax error when you ran it from a command prompt- which is what your first error message was.

What happens after a clean boot? In Safe Mode?

 

Well I finally tried the clean boot method, and the issue was still not resolved. *Sad

EDIT 1: And now, I cannot re-enable all the services I disabled prior to clean booting... *Sad
EDIT 2: It actually seems to be working fine from what I can tell. I guess just clicking normal startup re-enabled all the services without having to click enable all (per instructions from link)?

 

The last resort is to revert the Anniversary Update.

 

I suppose so, or I could just migrate my files over to another user account. Or maybe if I wait patiently enough some update in the future might magically fix it.

 

User account corruption can be difficult or impossible to fix. As you have other accounts that work, Windows per se is not corrupted. Trying to fix things for one account runs the risk of affecting the others.

 

Bro, same thing happened to me multiple times. The only actual fix is to make a new account and just manually transfer over your files. I know it's an absolute pain in the ass and makes me angry at Microsoft but it's the only fix.

Once you are settled into your new user account don't **** with anything too much. That's my best advice.

 

Yeah that seems like the only solution. I'm still kinda reluctant to do it because I don't know if it's gonna affect my iPhone backup, so for now that's enough to keep me from migrating files. :/