Microsoft Fixes Windows 11 Start Menu Search Bug With Server-Side Rollback

Microsoft has deployed a server-side fix to address Start Menu search issues in Windows 11 23H2, following reports of blank or broken results affecting some users.

The issue, tracked under WI1273488, began appearing around April 6 and impacted a small number of systems. Users reported that searching from the Start Menu would either return no results or fail to load properly.

The server-side Bing update caused the issue

According to Microsoft, the problem was caused by a faulty server-side Bing update that was originally intended to improve search performance in Windows 11. Instead, it disrupted how Start Menu search results were delivered.

To resolve the issue, Microsoft rolled back the problematic update rather than releasing a traditional patch.

Fix rolls out automatically with no user action required

The fix is being deployed entirely server-side, meaning users do not need to install any updates manually. Instead, the resolution applies automatically as Microsoft restores the previous configuration.

For the fix to apply correctly, the device must be connected to the internet, and Web Search must remain enabled rather than disabled via Group Policy.

As a result, affected systems should begin returning normal search results as the rollout progresses.

Issue gradually resolving for affected users

Microsoft confirmed that the issue is now in the process of being resolved, with fixes rolling out gradually. Some users may already see improvements, while others may need to wait until the rollback reaches their devices.

In other news, Microsoft is also working on broader improvements to Windows 11 search, aiming to make results faster and more accurate. At the same time, the company continues its effort to modernize the Settings app, though fully replacing Control Panel remains a complex challenge due to legacy hardware dependencies.

Via Bleeping Computer