Cortana “Something Went Wrong” Error: Fixes to Try

Updated 5 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

The Cortana message “Something went wrong. Try this search again” usually means the assistant could not complete a search or connect to the service. Try the checks below, but note that Cortana has been retired as a standalone Windows assistant in current versions of Windows 11, so an old Cortana search fix may no longer apply.

What the Cortana error means

Cortana relied on Windows components, an internet connection, account sign-in, and Microsoft’s online services to answer requests. The message is generic: it does not identify one cause. A temporary connection failure, an outdated app or Windows component, a damaged app state, or an unavailable service could all produce a similar symptom.

There is an important timing distinction. Microsoft ended support for the standalone Cortana app in Windows in 2023. Depending on the Windows version and how the computer was configured, the app may be absent, unable to sign in, or unable to perform its former functions. Reinstalling it or repeatedly changing settings cannot restore a discontinued service.

First check whether Cortana is still supported

If you are using a current Windows 11 installation, check whether Cortana is actually present and what you are trying to use. Windows Search remains available, but it is a separate feature; it can search local files, settings, and, where enabled, web results. Windows 11 also offers newer assistant features, such as Copilot, in supported locations and configurations. They are not simply Cortana under a different name.

On an older Windows installation where the Cortana app still opens, basic troubleshooting may help with a temporary fault. However, available features can vary by Windows release, region, account, and service availability. If the app is no longer listed or cannot connect after ordinary checks, treat that as a support limitation rather than evidence that your PC needs a drastic repair.

Try these basic checks first

Test the connection. Open a website in a browser. If pages do not load, reconnect to Wi-Fi or Ethernet and address the general connection problem before troubleshooting Cortana. If you use a VPN or proxy, check whether it is interfering with the connection; do not disable workplace security settings without approval.
Restart Windows. Save your work and choose Start > Power > Restart. A restart can clear a temporary failure in Windows services or the app.
Check date and time. Incorrect clock settings can interfere with secure connections. Open Settings > Time & language > Date & time and enable automatic time settings if appropriate for your device.
Try a different query. Ask a simple, ordinary question or search for a common term. If one query fails but another works, the issue may concern that request rather than the whole app.
Check sign-in status. If the app requests an account, confirm that you are signed in to the expected Microsoft account. Do not share your password or verification codes with anyone offering to fix the error.

Update, repair, or reset the app

On a Windows version that still has a Cortana app, install available Windows and app updates before trying more disruptive steps. Open Settings > Windows Update and select Check for updates. For Store apps, open Microsoft Store and look for available updates in its library or downloads area; names and layout can vary between Store versions.

If Cortana appears in the installed-app list, Windows may offer repair or reset controls. Look under Settings > Apps > Installed apps, select the app’s menu, and open Advanced options if that option is available. Choose Repair first. Repair is intended to address app problems without clearing its stored data. If it does not help, Reset may clear local app data and sign-in state, so be prepared to configure the app again.

These controls are not available for every Windows version or app. If Cortana is missing, do not download installers from unofficial sites or use scripts that claim to bring the service back. Such downloads may be unsafe, and they cannot reinstate online features that Microsoft has discontinued.

Use Windows Search or another supported option

For finding files and settings, use the search box or search icon on the Windows taskbar, or press the Windows key and begin typing. Search for a specific item, such as “Bluetooth settings” or a document name. Results depend on indexing settings, file location, and the account currently in use.

If you want a conversational assistant rather than local search, check which assistant features are available in your Windows version and region. Copilot availability and capabilities can differ across devices and updates. If you only need web results, open a browser and search there; this avoids relying on the retired Cortana app.

What not to do

Do not reset or reinstall Windows just to fix this message. That is disproportionate for an app whose service may have been retired.
Do not remove system components, edit the registry, or run unverified PowerShell commands from forums. Those steps can damage Windows or make troubleshooting harder.
Do not assume every “search” failure is a Cortana failure. Taskbar search, browser search, and Cortana are different features and can have separate causes.
Do not keep repeating sign-ins or resets if the app cannot reach a discontinued service. Confirm the Windows version and use a currently supported search method instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Cortana say “Something went wrong. Try this search again”?
The message is a general failure notice. It may reflect a connection, account, app, or service problem; on current Windows systems, Cortana’s retirement is also a likely explanation.

Can I still use Cortana on Windows 11?
The standalone Cortana app was retired from Windows in 2023. A device may still show remnants or an older installation, but that does not mean the former assistant service remains available.

Will resetting Cortana fix the error?
It might clear a corrupted local app state on a supported older setup, but it will not restore a discontinued online service. Try repair before reset, since reset can erase local app data and sign-in state.

Is Cortana the same as Windows Search?
No. Windows Search is the built-in way to find items such as files and settings. Cortana was a voice-enabled assistant with online functions, and its retirement does not mean Windows Search has also stopped working.

What should I use instead of Cortana?
Use Windows Search for apps, settings, and files, or a web browser for general internet searches. For conversational assistance, check which current Windows assistant features are offered on your device and in your region.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.