Most versions of Windows including Windows 10 has a feature, called Windows Indexing. This is a little tool that helps you look for files, and provides much faster searches by building an index. To be specific, this index is used by the search box in Start menu, File Explorer and Cortana assistant on Windows.

When Windows 10 Indexing fails to work as usual, problems like broken results or missing files in the search result page could occur. It could also lead to more serious issues, such as application configuration errors and corrupted Windows installation files.

To fix Windows 10 indexing not working issues, you can learn how to how to run the search troubleshooter and rebuild the search engine index manually in this guide.

If you find it difficult to understand or have trouble following the steps below. You could use the system utility like Neptune SystemCare to scan and fix the corrupted or missing files help you fix the system issues on your PC or laptop.

How to fix Windows 10 Indexing not running problem

Solution 1: Windows Built-in Search Troubleshooter

1. Open Settings on your Windows 10.

2. Click Update & Security > Troubleshoot.

3. Click Search and indexing on the right-side panel.

4. Click Run the troubleshooter.

5. “What problems do you notice?” section will occur with multiple checkboxes. Choose the boxes with the content of your problems that you are confronting.  Click Next.

If the troubleshooter does not help you with your Windows 10 indexing running problem, try the solution next.

Solution 2: Shut down Cortana

Cortana is powered by Windows Search. If it fails, it could also affect some other search service on Windows System.

1. Use the shortcut keys Ctrl+Shift+Delete on the keyboard to open the Task Manager.

2. Find out "Cortana" under background processes.

3. Right-click on the process and select "end task".

If closing down Cortana does not work either, try the next option.

Solution 3: Rebuild the search engine index manually

1. In Windows 10 search box, type “Indexing Options” and press Enter on the keyboard.

2. Then, click “Advanced” to open the “Advanced Options” window.

3. Under “Index Settings” tab > Troubleshooting section, click on “Rebuild” button. Click “OK” to enable Rebuilding the Search Engine Index.

This process could take hours or 10 minutes.

Solution 4: Tweak Registry value

Changing the registry manually could be dangerous if you do not know about it. Even for a technician, it’s always to make a copy of registry backup first before changing anything.

This move would renew the whole Windows Search module and make the Windows 10 start indexing the files.

1. Press shortcut keys Windows + R, type “regedit” in the dialogue box and press Enter.

2. Once in the registry, go to the following file path:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Search\FileChangeClientConfigs

3. Rename the folder and add something memorable in the end like the example below:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Search\FileChangeClientConfigsSimpson

4. Restart your computer. If the service is already running in the background, go to Task Manager to stop it and restart.