Microsoft Store Search Bar missing or not working

Wondering why the Microsoft Store search bar is missing or not working on your Windows computer? Microsoft Store is undoubtedly convenient for app installation on Windows 11/10 PCs. However, the issue of the search bar missing or not working in Microsoft Store can really be frustrating, and if you are looking to fix this problem, you just landed on the right page on the internet.

Why is there no Search bar in Microsoft Store?

The search bar in Microsoft Store is such an essential feature that when missing, finding anything in the store is nearly impossible. This problem could be a result of compromised system files or damaged Store application files. In addition, third-party software could impact the problem by interfering with some crucial application files.

Fix Microsoft Store search bar missing or not working

If the Microsoft Store search bar is missing or not working on your Windows 11/10 computer, here are some proven fixes that you can implement to resolve this issue:

1. Fix Corrupted System Files
2. Reset Microsoft Store
3. Temporarily Disable Third-Party Antivirus
4. Reinstall Microsoft Store
5. Utilize System Restore.

Before you begin, make sure that your Windows OS, all installed Microsoft Store apps, and the browser are updated with the latest patches and that Windows Firewall is not disabled.

1] Fix Corrupted System Files

We already mentioned that corrupted system files could be responsible for this issue. The solution we will recommend first in that case is to repair system file corruption with the Command Prompt. Follow the steps outlined below:

• Open the Start menu and type “cmd” in the search box.
• Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
• Click on the Yes button on the UAC prompt that follows.
• Type sfc /scannow and press the Enter key to run the command.
• Restart your computer after the process is completed.

If the command returns an error, enter the following commands one after the other:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

2] Reset Microsoft Store

If the search bar keeps disappearing, you should reset the Microsoft Store. This will make Windows reinstall the application and restore its default settings. Follow the steps outlined below:

• If the Microsoft Store application is still running, close it completely via the Task Manager.
• Press the Windows key + I and navigate to Apps < Apps & features. Scroll down the page to locate the Microsoft Store app.
• Click on it to reveal the Advanced options link, then click on the link.
• Scroll down the page and click on the Reset button under the “Reset” section.
• Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.
• Restart your computer subsequently, and open the Microsoft Store application. Sign in to your account to confirm that the problem is fixed.

3] Temporarily disable Third-Party Antivirus

Third-party antivirus programs could also interfere with Microsoft Store, making the search bar disappear. Disable any third-party antivirus you have on your computer to fix the problem. Follow the steps outlined below:

• Go to the system tray and right-click on the Antivirus application installed on your computer, then select Disable.
• If any time interval is asked, select accordingly.
• Restart your computer, and open the Microsoft Store application to confirm that the problem is fixed.

4] Reinstall Microsoft Store

You can also reinstall Microsoft Store via Windows PowerShell to prevent the search bar from disappearing. Follow the steps outlined:

• Open the Start menu and type “PowerShell” in the search box.
• Right-click on Windows PowerShell and select Run as administrator. Click on the Yes button on the UAC prompt that follows.
• Enter the following commands one after the other:

Get-AppxPackage -alluser *WindowsStore* | Remove-Appxpackage

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

• After the process is completed, restart your computer and launch the Microsoft Store to confirm that the problem is fixed.

5] Utilize System Restore

This is another solution we recommend to fix the problem with the search bar disappearing in the Microsoft Store. Utilize system restore, which allows you to revert your computer to a previous state when the problem was not present. Follow the steps outlined below:

• Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
• Type “SystemPropertiesProtection” in the text field, and press Enter to run the command.
• Navigate to the System Protection tab, then click on the System Restore button.
• Follow the onscreen instructions, and when you are asked to choose a restore point, select the point when the issue was not present.
• After the process is completed, the problem should be resolved already.

Good luck.

Read: Microsoft Store is missing, not showing or not installed

Why is the Microsoft Store blocked?

When you attempt to open a Microsoft Store on your computer and you get an error stating that the store has been blocked, this is often caused by a Group Policy Object (GPO) setting relating to the store.

What’s replacing Microsoft Store for business?

Microsoft is working on depreciating the existing Microsoft Store on Windows computers for business service, and this implies the impossibility of using the Microsoft Store to buy application licenses. Intune is the new app management tool which is based on the Windows Package Manager, and it is to replace the old Microsoft Store for business.