Can't Type Anything in Windows 10 Search Bar [Solution] 2025

Can't Type Anything in Windows 10 Search Bar [Solution]

Commands Used:
REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run /v ctfmon /t REG_SZ /d CTFMON.EXE

PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted

Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers |Where-Object {$_.InstallLocation -like "*SystemApps*"} | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

It is a pretty basic task for an operating system to allow its users to search for a specific file or application. However, some users are experiencing trouble with Windows 10 start search (or Cortana search). This issue prevents users from typing into the search bar of the start search. Some users cannot interact with the search box, they can’t click on it or type in it or paste anything in it whereas some users can use CTRL + V command to paste in the search but they can’t actually type in the search bar. This is obviously not an issue with the keyboard since the issue appears only with the Windows 10 start search. As you can imagine, this can cause a lot of problems for users.

On Windows 10, Windows Search is an essential feature that allows you to find virtually anything on your computer (such as documents, pictures, videos, system files, apps, emails, and settings) very quickly. Also, thanks to its integration with Bing search, you can use the feature for quick access to web pages and answers to common questions from the result preview.

Although search is a useful functionality that we take for granted every day, it'll come the time when it'll stop working as intended. For example, sometimes, search queries will show none or incomplete results. The search box in the taskbar will turn unresponsive or won't open at all, and more.

What causes the Search to not respond?
There are a few things that can cause this issue.

ctfmon.exe: This file is located in the system32 folder on your Windows. Ctfmon is the Microsoft process that controls Alternative User Input and the Office Language bar. The issue can appear if this file/service isn’t running. Running this file brings back the Language bar which fixes the issue.

Unresponsive Cortana: Sometimes the issue might be caused by unresponsive Cortana service. Cortana runs in the background and you can see it running in the Task Manager. Sometimes, for no apparent reason, these services can stop working and simply rebooting them fixes the issue.

MsCtfMonitor: This service is responsible for monitoring TextServicesFramework system service. Since TextServicesFramework system service is related to the text input, a problem with this service can cause this issue. A problem with the Text Service Framework will prevent you from typing in any of the Windows Modern Apps as well. So, if you are facing the same issue on the Modern Apps like the new Windows calculator then the most likely issue is with the Text Service Framework and not the Windows search.

Issues addressed in this tutorial:
windows 10 search not working
windows 10 search not showing
windows 10 search not typing
windows 10 search not finding applications
windows 10 search not showing any results
windows 10 search not auto populating
windows 10 search not appearing
windows 10 search not able to type
windows 10 search not allowing typing
windows 10 search bar not working after update
microsoft windows 10 search not working
search windows 10 is not working
windows 10 search bar not working
windows 10 search bar not showing
windows 10 search bar not typing

Many Windows 10 users, especially after a Windows update, cannot type in the File Explorer's search bar or in Cortana's search bar on the taskbar, because they cannot click on the search box to start typing.


This tutorial will apply for computers, laptops, desktops,and tablets running the Windows 10 operating system (Home, Professional, Enterprise, Education) from all supported hardware manufactures, like Dell, HP, Acer, Asus, Toshiba,Lenovo, and Samsung).