an error in windows 11 is causing the search box in the built-in emoji picker to disappear, meaning users can’t search for emojis by name. Several users have reported the issue and Windows Central has confirmed it on the Windows 11 Insider Beta channel.
microsoft has not yet acknowledged the bug or provided an official solution. Restarting the PC often solves the problem, but there is a faster solution that takes about 30 seconds.
How to restore missing emoji picker search box in Windows 11
The issue appears to be related to the rendering of the user interface in Windows Explorer. Restarting the Explorer process usually updates the affected interface elements and restores search box functionality.
To do this, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Locate Windows Explorer in the list of processes. Right click on it and choose Restart.
The taskbar will disappear briefly and then reload when Windows Explorer restarts. Once it appears again, open the emoji picker with Win+. (dot) should display the search box correctly.
How widespread the Windows 11 emoji picker bug seems to be
The bug has been reported by Windows Central writers testing builds from the Insider Beta channel. It is not yet clear whether the issue is limited to Insider builds or whether it also appears in stable builds of Windows 11. The frequency of the error varies from machine to machine, with some users experiencing it repeatedly and others not seeing it at all.
Microsoft has not provided a fix or timeline for when a fix might be available. Until a permanent fix is released, restarting Windows Explorer remains the quickest solution.
