This article is about an annoying bug and its fix/solution present in new updated Search box (which is now powered by Windows Search) in File Explorer of newer Windows 10 versions such as Windows 10 November 2019 Update
version 1909. Suddenly the Search box stops working, it freezes or
hangs and doesn't accept any input. Nothing happens when you click
inside the Search box. It becomes not responding and looks like it's
grayed out or someone disabled it using some kind of policies.
Recently we reviewed the new improved Search box in File Explorer of Windows 10. Now the Search box is powered by Windows Search to bring OneDrive support. Now you can search for online content stored in your OneDrive account as well as offline or local files stored on your computer system using the Search box present in File Explorer (also known as Windows Explorer, This PC and My Computer)
As soon as you start typing in new Search box present in File Explorer toolbar, it starts showing content suggestions right from OneDrive account if you signed in. It also shows recent search entries in drop-down list. To get only local search results, you need to click on Arrow button or press Enter key which is quite annoying.
Now let's talk about a weird and irritating bug found in File Explorer Search box in Windows 10 newer versions.
Sometimes the Search box gets stuck or not responding in File Explorer. If you try to left-click or right-click inside Search box, nothing happens. It's just not-clickable. After waiting for a few minutes it becomes responsive again and allows you to type inside it. Otherwise we need to close File Explorer window and re-open it or restart Explorer to fix this issue.
After some investigation, I was able to reproduce this bug and find out the culprit behind it. I was also able to fix this issue whenever it occurs.
In this article, I'm going to share what causes this bug or issue to occur and how to fix it?
First of all let's discuss how and when does this Not Responding or Stuck issue occur in File Explorer Search box:
This bug or issue occurs if you click inside the Search box in File Explorer and select an entry shown in recent search history drop-down list. Remember to reproduce this bug, you need to select a recent search entry from drop-down box displaying in Search box. If you don't have any recent search entry in Search box, search for something and then it'll start showing in recent search list next time you click inside Search box.
As soon as you select a recent search entry shown in drop-down list in Search box and Windows 10 starts searching for it, click on Back button present in File Explorer toolbar to go to previous folder.
That's it. Now try to click inside Search box and you'll find that it has become not responding. It'll be stuck and not clickable. You'll be unable to left-click or right-click on Search box.
Following image shows the full bug live in action:
How to Fix Search Box Not Responding or Stuck in Windows 10 File Explorer?
I found that fixing this bug is very easy. No need to restart Explorer or log out. Actually when Search box becomes not responding, just press ESC key present on your keyboard and it'll immediately fix the issue and Search box will immediately become responsive again. Now you'll be able to type inside Search box.
It seems when we select a recent search entry and Windows 10 starts searching for it and we press Back button, Windows 10 keeps searching for the search term and doesn't terminate the search process which makes the Search box not responding as it's being used by Windows. As soon as we press ESC key, it ends the Search process and forces Search box to start accepting user input.
Recently we reviewed the new improved Search box in File Explorer of Windows 10. Now the Search box is powered by Windows Search to bring OneDrive support. Now you can search for online content stored in your OneDrive account as well as offline or local files stored on your computer system using the Search box present in File Explorer (also known as Windows Explorer, This PC and My Computer)
As soon as you start typing in new Search box present in File Explorer toolbar, it starts showing content suggestions right from OneDrive account if you signed in. It also shows recent search entries in drop-down list. To get only local search results, you need to click on Arrow button or press Enter key which is quite annoying.
Now let's talk about a weird and irritating bug found in File Explorer Search box in Windows 10 newer versions.
Sometimes the Search box gets stuck or not responding in File Explorer. If you try to left-click or right-click inside Search box, nothing happens. It's just not-clickable. After waiting for a few minutes it becomes responsive again and allows you to type inside it. Otherwise we need to close File Explorer window and re-open it or restart Explorer to fix this issue.
After some investigation, I was able to reproduce this bug and find out the culprit behind it. I was also able to fix this issue whenever it occurs.
In this article, I'm going to share what causes this bug or issue to occur and how to fix it?
First of all let's discuss how and when does this Not Responding or Stuck issue occur in File Explorer Search box:
This bug or issue occurs if you click inside the Search box in File Explorer and select an entry shown in recent search history drop-down list. Remember to reproduce this bug, you need to select a recent search entry from drop-down box displaying in Search box. If you don't have any recent search entry in Search box, search for something and then it'll start showing in recent search list next time you click inside Search box.
As soon as you select a recent search entry shown in drop-down list in Search box and Windows 10 starts searching for it, click on Back button present in File Explorer toolbar to go to previous folder.
That's it. Now try to click inside Search box and you'll find that it has become not responding. It'll be stuck and not clickable. You'll be unable to left-click or right-click on Search box.
Following image shows the full bug live in action:
How to Fix Search Box Not Responding or Stuck in Windows 10 File Explorer?
I found that fixing this bug is very easy. No need to restart Explorer or log out. Actually when Search box becomes not responding, just press ESC key present on your keyboard and it'll immediately fix the issue and Search box will immediately become responsive again. Now you'll be able to type inside Search box.
It seems when we select a recent search entry and Windows 10 starts searching for it and we press Back button, Windows 10 keeps searching for the search term and doesn't terminate the search process which makes the Search box not responding as it's being used by Windows. As soon as we press ESC key, it ends the Search process and forces Search box to start accepting user input.
