Windows search allows typing but does not show any results

Question

Windows search allows typing but does not show any results

Oliver Clement 0

I have attempted all possible windows, firmware and driver updates, yet this still persists. Is this to do with my Snapdragon ARM64 processor?

This laptop is brand new, bought today. Screenshot 2026-08-15 172104

Screenshot 2026-08-15 170824

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2 answers

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Answer 1

Hendrix-V 17,965 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi Oliver Clement,

Since you've already completed the usual update, firmware, and driver checks, it may be helpful to determine whether this is related to the Windows Search component itself or something specific to the current Windows profile. At this stage, there is no clear indication that the Snapdragon ARM processor is the cause, as Windows Search is supported on Snapdragon-based Windows 11 devices.

Could you please check the following:

Press Win + R, type winver and share your Windows version and OS build.
Does the issue affect all search results (Apps, Settings, Files, and Web), or only certain categories?
Create a new local user account and test Search there. If it works in the new account, that would help narrow the issue to the current profile.
Open Reliability Monitor and see whether any recent entries mention SearchHost.exe or SearchIndexer.exe.

These details should help identify whether this is a profile-specific issue, a Search component problem, or something related to the current Windows build.

I look forward to your update and will be happy to help investigate further.

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Oliver Clement 0 Reputation points

2026-08-16T09:39:29.9933333+00:00

Windows version is 25H2, OS build of 26200.9168
No matter what I search, either through the bottom bar or the start menu, it will not work.
Reliability monitor has no mention of either .exe's
As for the local account, I am unsure of how to make this.

Would you recommend a reinstall of windows, or perhaps getting another laptop from the place which I bought it?
Hendrix-V 17,965 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-19T01:18:29.4333333+00:00
Hi Oliver Clement,

Thank you for the additional details. Since you're running Windows 11 25H2 and Search returns no results for any query, while Reliability Monitor shows no Search-related crashes, this does not currently point to a hardware or Snapdragon-specific issue.

Before considering a replacement device, I would recommend one quick test:

Go to Settings > Accounts > Other users.

Select Add account.

Choose I don't have this person's sign-in information > Add a user without a Microsoft account.

Create a temporary local account and sign in to it.

Test Windows Search in that new profile.

If Search works there, the issue is likely isolated to the original user profile. If it still fails in the new account, then a Windows Reset or clean reinstall would be a reasonable next step on a brand-new device before considering an exchange.

Given that the laptop is new and likely contains little personal data, a reset is often the fastest way to rule out a software configuration issue. If the problem remains even after a clean Windows installation, I would then recommend contacting the retailer to discuss a replacement.
Hendrix-V 17,965 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-20T07:01:16.45+00:00

Hi Oliver Clement,

If you have any further questions or updates regarding this issue, please feel free to let me know in the Comments section. I'd be happy to assist you.

Answer 2

This is not identified in the provided material as a Snapdragon ARM64-specific limitation. The available Windows Search guidance points instead to Windows Search service, indexing, update state, and a known configuration issue that can cause Search to return no results.

Since Windows, firmware, and driver updates were already completed, use this order:

Check Windows Search service status
- Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
- Find Windows Search.
- Confirm:
  - Status = Running
  - Startup Type = Automatic (Delayed Start)
- If it is not running, start it.
- If it is running, right-click it and restart it.
Restart Windows Font Cache Service
- In services.msc, find Windows Font Cache Service.
- Right-click Stop.
- Test Search.
- Then right-click Start again.
Check whether indexing is paused or not running
- If indexing is paused, Search results may be incomplete or blank.
- If the device is on battery, connect it to power because indexing can pause to conserve battery.
- If indexing was manually paused, it resumes after 15 minutes, or more quickly after restarting the Windows Search service.
Check for the known “no results” configuration issue
- One documented cause of Search showing no results is when Internet Options is configured to disable website caches and databases.
- Check this path: Internet Options → General → Browsing History → Settings → Website Data Settings → Caches and databases
- Make sure Allow website caches and databases is enabled.
- If this setting is disabled by policy, Search can show no results.
Install any remaining Windows updates and restart
- Go to Start → Settings → Windows Update / Update & Security → Check for updates.
- Install all available updates, then restart.

If this is a brand-new laptop and Search still accepts typing but returns a blank results pane after the checks above, the strongest supported next focus is the Windows Search service/indexing state and the Internet Options cache setting, not the ARM64 processor itself.