If Windows 11 Search suddenly won’t accept typing, feels frozen, or Start-menu search does nothing right after the January 13, 2026 cumulative update (KB5074109), you’re not alone.
In most cases, you can fix it without reinstalling Windows—you just need to hit the right component in the right order.
If your whole system feels sluggish (not just Search), check RAM first—one heavy browser process can make the taskbar feel “dead.”
👉 [Why Is Chrome Using So Much Memory?]
If you noticed Windows Update hanging for a long time before this started, it may have installed incorrectly.
👉 [How to Fix Windows 11 Update Stuck at 0% or 100%]
Step 0) Split the symptom (so you don’t fix the wrong thing)
A) You click Search but no cursor appears / you can’t type at all
Usually an input service (TSF/CTF) or Search process glitch. Start at Step 1–4.
B) You can type, but results are missing / wrong / incomplete
Usually indexing/settings. Start at Step 5–6.
C) It started right after KB5074109
Run Step 4 (Reset Windows Search script) earlier than usual.
Step 1) Quick refresh (the “stupid simple” fix)
-
Restart your PC
-
If you can’t restart, restart Windows Explorer:
-
Path: Task Manager → Windows Explorer → Restart
-
This clears stuck taskbar/UI states that can block typing into Search.
Step 2) Restart the Search process (fast “unstick”)
-
Path: Task Manager → Details → SearchHost.exe → End task
Windows will relaunch it automatically.
If typing immediately works again, it was a stuck Search process.
Step 2.5) ⭐ Pro Tip: Can’t type at all? Run ctfmon.exe (Text Input “CTFMon” trick)
If you click the search bar but no cursor shows up, the Text Services Framework (TSF) input layer may be stuck—ctfmon.exe is part of that system.
-
Press Win + R
-
Type:
ctfmon.exe→ Enter -
Try typing in the Search bar immediately
If it suddenly works, it was a keyboard/input service glitch, not “broken Search.”
Step 3) Make sure the Windows Search service is running
-
Path: Win + R →
services.msc→ Windows Search-
Status: Running (restart if needed)
-
Step 4) Run Microsoft’s official “Reset Windows Search” script ⭐ (biggest hammer that’s still safe)
Microsoft provides ResetWindowsSearchBox.ps1 to reset Windows Search components.
How to run it (official + clean):
-
Download: [Microsoft: Reset Windows Search PowerShell script]
-
Right-click the file → Run with PowerShell (Admin permissions required)
-
Follow prompts until you see “Done”
-
Restart your PC
This is one of the most consistently recommended steps when Search breaks after updates.
Step 5) Run the “Search and Indexing” troubleshooter
-
Path (Windows 11): Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters → Search and Indexing → Run
Use this when Search works but behaves weird (missing apps/files).
Step 6) Rebuild the Search index (only if results are missing)
-
Path: Settings → Privacy & security → Searching Windows → Advanced indexing options → Rebuild
This can take time depending on how much you have on disk.
Step 7) Confirm KB5074109 + rollback only if you must
-
Path: Settings → Windows Update → Update history
If Search is mission-critical and nothing above works, uninstall the most recent cumulative update temporarily (then pause updates briefly).
KB5074109 is the January 13, 2026 cumulative update for Windows 11 24H2/25H2.
Step 8) Advanced: Disable Bing “Web Search” results to make Search feel instant 🚀
Sometimes Search feels frozen because it’s trying to pull web results (Bing/online suggestions) when you just want local apps/settings. Disabling web suggestions can reduce lag and clutter.
Option A (lighter, Settings): turn off Search highlights
-
Path: Settings → Privacy & security → Search permissions → Search highlights → Off
This won’t fully remove web integration in every build, but it can reduce the “busy” feeling.
Option B (stronger, Advanced): Registry tweak (Windows 11 Home + Pro)
⚠️ Editing the registry is powerful—do it only if you’re comfortable. Create a restore point first.
Registry method (DisableSearchBoxSuggestions):
-
Win + R →
regedit -
Go to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows -
Create a key (folder) named: Explorer (if it doesn’t exist)
-
Inside Explorer, create DWORD (32-bit):
DisableSearchBoxSuggestions -
Set value to: 1
-
Restart the PC
To undo: delete that DWORD or set it back to 0.
FAQ
Why did Search break after KB5074109?
KB5074109 is a January 2026 cumulative update, and some users report Search becoming unresponsive after installing it. In many cases it’s a stuck Search/input component rather than hardware failure.
What’s the fastest fix for “can’t type”?
Try Step 2.5 (ctfmon.exe) first if there’s no cursor, then Step 2 (end SearchHost.exe). If it keeps returning, run Step 4 (ResetWindowsSearchBox.ps1).
Will the Reset Search script delete my files?
No—Microsoft’s script targets Search components/settings, not your personal files.
Wrap-up
Don’t reinstall Windows first. For KB5074109-era “Search won’t type” problems, fix it like a pro:
-
Restart Explorer / SearchHost
-
Run ctfmon.exe (cursor/typing fix)
-
Confirm Windows Search service
-
Run Microsoft’s ResetWindowsSearchBox.ps1
-
If it’s just slow: disable Bing web suggestions (Advanced)