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File explorer search bar isn't working. How to fix that?

  • 14 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by JSVSN

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When I open my file explorer from my browser (this in Windows 10), the search bar stops working and when I click on it, nothing happens. Everything else about it works except that. How do I fix this?

When I open my file explorer from my browser (this in Windows 10), the search bar stops working and when I click on it, nothing happens. Everything else about it works except that. How do I fix this?

Chosen solution

Hello JSVSN,

This is not a Firefox issue, but I found this for you :

https://thegeekpage.com/how-to-fix-file-explorer-search-not-working-in-windows-10/

And :

https://troubleshooter.xyz/wiki/fix-file-explorer-search-not-working...

Should neither of these solve your problem; you could post a question on the official Microsoft support forum, using this link :

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/newthread?threadtype=Questions&cancelurl=%2Fen-us%3Fauth%3D1

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (14)

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It will actually work at first but after picking two files from file explorer in firefox, it just stops for some reason.

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Chosen Solution

Hello JSVSN,

This is not a Firefox issue, but I found this for you :

https://thegeekpage.com/how-to-fix-file-explorer-search-not-working-in-windows-10/

And :

https://troubleshooter.xyz/wiki/fix-file-explorer-search-not-working...

Should neither of these solve your problem; you could post a question on the official Microsoft support forum, using this link :

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/newthread?threadtype=Questions&cancelurl=%2Fen-us%3Fauth%3D1

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Closing as off topic. See Mozilla Support rules and guidelines under Subjects covered in the support forum.

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JSVSN said

It will actually work at first but after picking two files from file explorer in firefox, it just stops for some reason.

Before closing this thread, I want to give you a chance to explain the above.

Can you explain how you are "picking two files from file explorer in firefox"? We need more detail. Does this problem only exist in Firefox? If so then it is a Firefox issue.

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It doesn't seem to happen if I use my other browsers though amd when I normally use file explorer, it's fine. It seems relegated to FireFox on my laptop.

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Basically if I go to imgur or google image search or another website that allows image searching and try to upload files, file explorer tends to work the first few times. After that when I open up the file explorer from Firefox to upload something, the search bar does not respond but everything else does.

Opera and chrome canary do not have the same issue.

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Hello again JSVSN,

You don't need a browser to open File Explorer; you can either press the Windows key on your keyboard + E, or from the Start menu.

As for the search bar not working for you : did you read the two articles I linked to ?

But maybe I am misconstruing your question (?)

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Misconstruing yes; I've read them yeah but the problem is that file explorer is only having these problems when I open it in Firefox (ie. if I go to facebook on firefox and try to upload an image then after a while the file explorer opened from within the browser doesn't work when I try to click the search bar - it just doesn't respond). But my other browsers and use file explorer normally there is no problem.

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I have asked a fellow contributor to take a look at this and maybe come up with a solution for you.

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McCoy said

I have asked a fellow contributor to take a look at this and maybe come up with a solution for you.

Thank you.

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Let’s do a full clean re-install;

Note: Firefox comes in three or more folders on all computers. They are;

Maintenance: (Programs Folder) <Windows Only> Firefox itself: (Programs Folder) And two folders in the profile of each user on the computer for each Firefox profile for that user.

If you remove the Firefox folder, the user profiles would not be affected.


Download Firefox For All languages And Systems {web link}

Save the file. Then Close Firefox.

Using your file browser, open the Programs Folder on your computer.

Windows: C:\Program Files C:\Program Files (x86) Note: Check Both Folders

Mac: Open the "Applications" folder. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-download-and-install-firefox-mac

Linux: Check your user manual. If you installed Firefox with the distro-based package manager, you should use the same way to uninstall it. See Install Firefox on Linux; https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/install-firefox-linux

If you downloaded and installed the binary package from the Firefox download page, simply remove the folder Firefox in your home directory. http://www.mozilla.org/firefox#desktop ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Look for, and remove any Mozilla or Firefox program folders. Do not remove the Mozilla Thunderbird folder if there is one.

Do Not remove any profile folders.

After rebooting the computer, run a registry scanner if you have one. Then run the installer. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ If there is a problem, start your Computer in safe mode and try again.

http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Linux+Safe+Mode This shows how to Start all Computers in Safe Mode; Free Online Encyclopedia

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Is this about opening the file picker in Firefox to select a file for uploading to the website similar as done via the Browse button to upload a screenshot on this forum ?

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cor-el said

Is this about opening the file picker in Firefox to select a file for uploading to the website similar as done via the Browse button to upload a screenshot on this forum ?

Yeah basically. Like if I want to upload an image to say, Imgur while in firefox then this problem pops up.