How to Fix Windows 11 25H2 Search Not Working After Update

If you recently installed the Windows 11 25H2 cumulative and security update and noticed that Windows Search is stuck in a loading loop, you’re not alone. Many users have reported the same issue where the search bar doesn’t respond or remains blank after the update.

Windows 11 25H2 Search Not Working After Update? Here’s How to Fix It

After installing 25H2 updates, the Windows ShellExperienceHost or Search Index can get corrupted. This leads to the Search UI freezing or never showing results. Thankfully, the problem can be repaired with built-in Windows tools.

Step-by-Step Fix for Windows Search After 25H2 Update

1. Check Your Windows Version

Before proceeding, confirm your build version:

Press Windows + R
Type winver → press Enter
Note your Windows 11 version and build number
This helps verify that you’re on 25H2 (build 26100.x or higher).

2. Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM

Corrupted system files can break Search. Run these commands to repair them:

Open Command Prompt (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin)
Type and run each command:

sfc /scannow

Then

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Restart your PC once the scans complete.

3. Re-Register the Search and ShellExperienceHost Apps

If Search is still stuck, repair it through PowerShell:

Open PowerShell (Admin)
Run the following commands one by one:

Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost | foreach {Add-AppxPackage -register "$($_.InstallLocation)\appxmanifest.xml" -DisableDevelopmentMode}

Get-AppXPackage | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

Ignore any red text during the process—it’s safe.

Restart your computer and test Windows Search again.

4. Rebuild the Search Index (Optional but Recommended)

If Search still doesn’t respond:

Open Settings → Privacy & Security → Searching Windows
Scroll down and click Advanced indexing options
In the Indexing Options window, select Advanced → Rebuild

This refreshes all search data and often resolves indexing bugs.

5. Try Advanced Windows Search Repair Steps

If the problem continues after re-registering apps, go deeper with these advanced steps:

Rebuild the Search Index
- Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Searching Windows → Advanced Indexing Options
- Click Advanced → Rebuild
Restart the Windows Search Service
- Open Run (Windows + R) → type services.msc
- Find Windows Search, right-click it → select Restart
Reset Windows Search Host Process (Optional)
- Open Task Manager → Details tab
- Find SearchHost.exe → right-click → End task
- Windows will auto-restart it.

If all fixes fail, wait for Microsoft to push a cumulative patch specifically addressing this 25H2 Search issue. Keep Windows Update enabled and check regularly for any “Search Experience Host” or “Cumulative Update” patches.

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Windows 11 25H2 Search Not Working After Update? Here’s How to Fix It