Windows 11’s Search tool isn’t much different from the one in Windows 10. That utility retains the same search indexing from the previous OS. It’s undoubtedly one of that platform’s most important tools.

Check out some solutions that actually work!

  • Windows 11’s Search indexing was turned off error arises when the service fails to run.

  • You might need to turn indexing back on to fix this issue by enabling the required services.

  • When the indexing is not running in Windows 11, the index might need rebuilding.

  • Some troubleshooters will also come in handy for solving this problem for good.

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However, Windows search tool issues can sometimes arise. The Search indexing was turned off error is one some users have informed us about.

The error is seen when opening the search menu. There is a message that reads, Search indexing was turned off with a Turn Indexing back on button to the right. When they click on Turn On Indexing, they receive a message saying: Indexing is not running.

So, users see this error message in the search box even when they haven’t disabled that feature themselves. Consequently, search indexing doesn’t work, which can have a notable impact on the search tool.

Why is search indexing turned off?

Search Indexing should ideally be turned on by default in the latest iteration. So, in case you come across the Search indexing was turned off message in Windows 11, it’s likely that the service responsible for it has been disabled, either manually or inadvertently.

Also, issues with the system files or the presence of malware have been found to lead to the problem.

Besides, there are services that Search Indexing or the Windows Search service depends on (listed under the Dependencies tab), and if these are disabled, you may face issues with it.

What does the Windows Search indexer do?

The Windows indexer is a service that indexes files for the search utility. To be more precise, it indexes files’ properties such as titles, contents, and paths. By doing so, it makes your file searching much faster and more efficient.

The same service is also important for built-in apps. For example, apps like File Explorer, Groove, and Photos track file changes with the index. Edge can display browsing history results in its URL bar thanks to the index feature.

So, your Windows searches won’t be quite the same because of the Search indexing was turned off error. It’s not a completely essential service, but indexing files does make a big difference for file searching. This is how you can resolve that issue.

How do I fix search indexing is turned off?

1. Make sure the Windows Search service is enabled

  • Press Windows + R to open Run, type services.msc in the text field, and click OK.
  • Next, double-click the Windows Search service.
  • Select Automatic on the Startup type drop-down menu.
  • If the service is not running, click on the Start button under Service status.
  • Finally, click OK to save the changes and exit the window.
  • Repeat the steps above to enable and start the Background Tasks Infrastructure Service and Remote Procedure Call services if required.
  • Once done, restart the computer.

When encountering the Search indexing was turned off message in Windows 11, the first thing you should do is verify whether the Windows Search service is enabled. If it’s not, make sure to do that.

2. Run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter

  • Press the Windows key to open the Start menu, and then select Settings.
  • Next, click Troubleshoot on the System tab.
  • Select Other troubleshooters to proceed.
  • Click the Run button for the Search and Indexing troubleshooter.
  • Then select My problem isn’t listed above option in the troubleshooter, and click the Next button.
  • Enter a description for the issue in the text box, and click Next to continue.

You may also select the other options here in the troubleshooter and proceed with the on-screen instructions to turn on Search Indexing.

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3. Rebuild the search index

  • Press Windows + S to open the Search menu, type Control Panel in the text field, and click on the relevant search result.
  • Select Large icons on the View by dropdown menu.
  • Then select Indexing Options to open that Control Panel applet, and click the Advanced button.
  • Then click the Rebuild option.
  • Click OK to confirm.

Once done, restart the computer and verify if the Search indexing was turned off message disappears in Windows 11. If not, head to the next solution.

4. Clear the TxR folder

  • Press Windows + E to open the File Explorer, click on See more (ellipsis), and then select Options.
  • Navigate to the View tab, select the Show hidden files, folders and drives radio button, and click OK.
  • Navigate to the following path or paste it into the address bar and hit Enter:C:\windows\system32\config\TxR
  • Select all the files in the TxR folder with BLF and REGTRANS-MS extensions, and click the Delete button.

5. Restore Windows 11 to a previous date

  • Press Windows + R to open Run, enter rstrui.exe in the text field, and click OK.
  • Select the Choose different restore point option, if it’s available, and click Next.
  • System Restore might include a Show more restore points checkbox. Select that checkbox if you can do so.
  • Now, select a restore point that predates the Search indexing was turned off error on your PC, and click Next.
  • Click Finish to initiate the system restoration.

System Restore is a handy built-in utility that comes to aid in cases like these. It has helped a lot of users fix the Search indexing was turned off error in Windows 11. To utilize it to the fullest, we recommend creating a restore point when making changes to the computer.

6. Reset Windows 11

  • Press Windows + I to open Settings, and select Recovery on the right in the System tab.
  • Click the Reset PC button.
  • Select the Keep my files option.
  • Next, select either the Cloud download or Local reinstall option (whichever you prefer), and similarly choose the other preferable options to complete the restore process.

After you have factory reset Windows 11, the Search indexing was turned off error in Windows 11 would be gone for good.

Should I turn off indexing in Windows 11?

That’s an individual preference and depends on several factors. As is the case with any task, Search Indexing, too, consumes certain system resources. In case you are running out of them, disabling Search Indexing might be a solution.

  • Fix: Microsoft Windows Search Indexer high CPU usage
  • Windows 10/11 File Explorer search not working [Full Fix]

But, after you disable the feature, Windows would take longer to pull up results when searching for something. So, identify what matters more, and then make a decision.

On a new generation PC, there’s, honestly, no need to turn off indexing. But if Windows is slow and unresponsive, try disabling it and verify if that boosts the performance.

Who can I contact about fixing the Search indexing was turned off error?

Contact Microsoft’s Windows support service if you need more fixes for the Search indexing was turned off error. Open the Contact Microsoft Support webpage, and click the Get support link there. Then type in a description for the issue, and click Get Help followed by Contact Support.

Or you can discuss the Search indexing was turned off error on Microsoft’s Windows support forum. To post a query there, click the Ask a question link on that forum. Thereafter, enter your question in the forum’s text editor and click Submit.

However, the potential resolutions here will likely fix the Search indexing was turned off error for most Windows 11 users. So, make sure you give them a try first.

You can also modify the indexing parameters or disable the feature to reduce the Windows Search service’s system resource utilization when you’ve fixed it.

Have you managed to do so? Let us know which solution worked for you in the comments area below.

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