How to Fix Windows Search Showing No Web Results

Step 1: Revert Registry or Group Policy Changes

If recent changes to the registry or group policy have impacted your search results, you may need to revert them. Access Registry Editor via the Start Menu and navigate to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer

Look for DisableSearchBoxSuggestions, double-click it, and change its value to 0. Restart your computer and check if the issue persists.

Pro Tip: If you’re using Windows Pro or Enterprise, also check the Group Policy Editor for any settings that may restrict web search functionality.

Step 2: Restart the Windows Search Service

Sometimes, simply restarting the Windows Search Service can resolve issues. Here’s how:

1. Open Services from the Start Menu.
2. Locate Windows Search in the list.
3. Right-click on it, and select Properties.
4. Click Stop, then set the Startup type to Manual.
5. Apply the changes and click Ok.
6. Next, go to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search\Data\Applications\Windows and clear the contents of this folder.
7. Return to the Services window, change the Startup type back to Automatic, and click Start.

Restart your computer and see if the problem is resolved.

Step 3: Restart Search Process from Task Manager

Occasionally, the Windows Search functionality may be impacted by a glitch. To fix this:

1. Open Task Manager.
2. Go to the Details tab.
3. Find and right-click on the SearchUI.exe process, then select End Task.

This will force the process to restart, which may resolve the issue.

Step 4: Run the Search and Indexing Troubleshooter

Utilizing the Search and Indexing troubleshooter can effectively address search-related problems. Follow these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Navigate to Troubleshoot > Other Troubleshooters.
3. Locate the Search and Indexing troubleshooter and click Run.

Alternatively, you can open the Run dialog with Windows + R and input the command:

msdt.exe -ep SystemSettings_Troubleshoot_L2 -id SearchDiagnostic

Follow the prompts in the troubleshooter and check if your issue is resolved afterward.

Step 5: Rebuild the Search Index

Rebuilding the search index can help Windows Search function properly again:

1. Open Control Panel.
2. Change the View by to Large icons.
3. Select Indexing Options.
4. Click Advanced.
5. Under the Troubleshooting section, click Rebuild.
6. Confirm by clicking Ok.

This action will create a new index, hopefully resolving the search issues.

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