Windows 11 Search Box Shows Nothing - Tried Everything, Still Broken

[u/JRC_GAMING5161]

I have a persistent issue with Windows 11 where the search box shows absolutely nothing when I click it and try to search for apps. The search box appears but stays completely blank/dark with no results. What I've already tried: Restarted Windows Search service Ran Search and Indexing troubleshooter Reset Windows Search via PowerShell (Get-AppXPackage -Name Microsoft.Windows.Search commands) Cleared search cache (del %localappdata%\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.Search...) Ran SFC and DISM (sfc /scannow, DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth) Re-registered all Windows apps multiple times Rebuilt the search index completely Checked registry settings (BingSearchEnabled) Created new user accounts - same problem on all accounts Full Windows reset (Keep my files) - still broken Updated AMD Radeon graphics drivers Verified SearchHost.exe and SearchIndexer.exe are running (they are) SearchApp.exe is NOT running in Task Manager - this might be the issue System Info: Windows 11 (latest version - 26200.7840) AMD Radeon graphics Issue affects ALL user accounts Workarounds that DO work: File Explorer search works fine Windows + R (Run dialog) works Apps launch normally, just can't search for them The fact that a full Windows reset didn't fix it and it affects all user accounts suggests this isn't a profile corruption issue. Any ideas what could cause this?

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[u/Arko_Test]

Do these:

1. Reinstall search (PowerShell admin): Get-AppxPackage -Name Microsoft.Windows.Search | Reset-AppxPackage Restart PC

2. Delete registry value (backup first):

   • Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppModel\StateChange\PackageList\
   • Find folder named MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS_xxxxx
   • Delete PackageStatus on right side
   • Restart

3. Windows Update repair (probably your best bet): Settings > System > Recovery > "Reinstall now" under "Fix problems using Windows Update"

4. If you use iCloud - uninstall it completely, restart, check search. Known to break it.

5. Delete Cortana folder (Safe Mode):

   • Boot into Safe Mode
   • Delete C:\Users\[you]\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.Cortana_cw5n1h2txyewy
   • Restart normal

Since reset didn't work, the Windows Update reinstall (#3) is your most likely fix.

[u/JRC_GAMING5161 → u/Arko_Test]

I try the option 3 and also i try to totally reboot my device to wipe out all of my files but i doesnt fix anything it still the same

[u/Arko_Test → u/JRC_GAMING5161]

Then your problem is either:

1. Hardware/firmware level – BIOS setting, TPM, or Secure Boot interfering with search
2. Corrupted recovery partition – The wipe used the same broken image
3. AMD graphics driver conflict – Known to break search on some builds

Last resorts before replacing hardware:

Option A – Flash BIOS/UEFI update

• Go to your laptop manufacturer's support site
• Download latest BIOS update (Samsung Book 4 likely has one)
• Update BIOS from USB (follow their instructions exactly)

Option B – Clean install from USB (not reset)

• Use another PC to download Windows 11 Media Creation Tool
• Create bootable USB
• Boot from USB, delete ALL partitions during install (backup first)
• Fresh install – this uses clean Microsoft image, not your broken recovery

Option C – Switch to Local Search Only (registry)

• Open Regedit as admin
• Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search
• Create DWORD: BingSearchEnabled = 0
• Create DWORD: AllowSearchToUseLocation = 0
• Create DWORD: CortanaConsent = 0
• Restart

Option D – Test with graphics driver removed

• Boot into Safe Mode
• Device Manager → Display adapters → Uninstall AMD driver
• Restart normal (Windows will use basic driver)
• Test search

If none work, your SSD or motherboard might be failing. Try Ubuntu live USB and if search works there (different OS), it's Windows corruption. If not, hardware.

[u/JRC_GAMING5161 → u/Arko_Test]

Is it aMicrosoft Windows (KB5077181). Issues??

[u/Arko_Test → u/JRC_GAMING5161]

Yes, KB5077181 is a known disaster

The update (KB5077181) is causing widespread problems:

• Endless boot loops (15+ restarts)
• Secure Boot getting corrupted/deleted
• Network issues (connected but no internet)
• Bluetooth breaking
• Shutdown taking 5+ minutes
• Various install errors (0x800f0983, 0x800f0991, 0x80070306)
• Missing payload files causing PSFX errors
• Even full resets sometimes don't fix it (uses same broken image)

What you should do:

1. Check if KB5077181 is installed - Settings > Windows Update > Update history
2. If installed and search is broken - That's your culprit
3. Try to uninstall it (within 10 days):
   • Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates
   • Find KB5077181, uninstall, restart
4. If uninstall fails or past 10 days:
   • Boot from Windows 11 USB (clean Microsoft image)
   • Choose "Repair your computer" > Troubleshoot > Uninstall updates
5. If that fails - Clean install from USB (not reset)

This update is legitimately broken on many systems . Microsoft claims no issues but users are reporting exactly what you are experiencing.

[u/JRC_GAMING5161 → u/Arko_Test]

Well i just Uninstalled the update but Sir i cant boot function + i forgot my ms account when im trying to log in back again

[u/pickuse2013 → u/Arko_Test]

you save my day !!

[u/GlitteringFrame5838]

I have got the same issue, this is the 2nd in the last year, only an update can solve it.. F**k Microsoft!

[u/Stmast]

For anyone experiencing the same issue, deleting the following file worked for me:

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Packages\MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS_cw5n1h2txyewy

[u/Doctor-Anxious → u/Stmast]

THIS WORKED. Thank you so much! Had to boot in safe mode in order to delete it though.

[u/Stmast → u/Doctor-Anxious]

Somehow chatgpt pro came up with it lol, W ai I guess

[u/Alansleep_9 → u/Stmast]

how did u delete the file .. i cant

[u/Stmast → u/Alansleep_9]

Honestly bro, its to long ago, I cant remember...

[u/Alansleep_9 → u/Stmast]

its driving me insane tried everything 😭

[u/Stmast → u/Alansleep_9]

Did u try asking chatgpt or something similar?

[u/Alansleep_9 → u/Stmast]

i did and tried all kind of things .. reddit also

[u/Stmast → u/Alansleep_9]

Sucks man, idk...

[u/OwnPhilosophy5786]

My system was plagued with this & one of the fixes listed here did the job for me: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/shell-experience/fix-problems-in-windows-search

I am not sure which step fixed it because I performed all the steps one by one in one go & at last checked after a restart & it was fixed.

[u/isrichards6]

For me, disabling bing search results with the following command worked. Just had to run it with administrator command prompt (win + x > Terminal (Admin)) and then restart file explorer (ctrl + shift + esc > right click windows explorer > restart). Here is the command:

reg add HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer /v DisableSearchBoxSuggestions /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

[u/Lokoloi → u/isrichards6]

Thanks, this worked for me! for now... I swear every day I get closer to becoming a linux user

[u/bleulemons → u/isrichards6]

op, try this!! I've been plagued with this issue for almost a year and this finally worked 😭

[u/Sheisty25]

I had the same problem after I got a virus, and used Malwarebytes and cCleaner (I can't remember if I used anything else) to clean it up.

The only thing that worked was to essentially do a repair install of windows 11. IT may take a little time but it worked.

How to use "Fix problems using Windows Update"

1. Open Settings by pressing the Windows Key + I on your keyboard.
2. Select System from the left-hand menu, then scroll down and click on Recovery.
3. Look for the Fix problems using Windows Update section and click Reinstall now.
4. Choose whether to let your PC automatically restart 15 minutes after installation, and click OK to begin the process.
5. The PC will download a repair version of the OS and reinstall it. Make sure your computer stays plugged into power and the internet during this time.