Microsoft Confirms Recent Windows 11 Update Breaks Start Menu Search Function

Microsoft acknowledged a server-side Bing update (tracked as WI1273488) that, beginning around April 6, 2026, caused Start Menu search to display blank results or fail for a small number of Windows 11 23H2 users; the company rolled back the change server-side and listed the issue as resolved, requiring no user-installed update. For users still affected, guidance includes ensuring the Background Tasks Infrastructure Service is running and re-registering the Windows Search app via PowerShell as a last resort.