My search feature for GIFs and Emojis is gone!

Question

My search feature for GIFs and Emojis is gone!

Jamie Poff 5

Hello, Microsoft.

I have a problem here. The search feature to find
GIFs and Emojis on the fly has gone missing. Idk, I found out about this problem just this morning.
The search tool helped me type in the name of GIFs and Emojis that I'm looking for, and I don't want to lose it.

How did this happen, and is there any way to recover it? Please answer back soon. Thanks.

From,
Jamie Poff

(Image shows that the search tool that's usually there is gone)
User's image

Viorel 126.9K Reputation points

2026-04-16T18:43:01.7466667+00:00

Does this happen in case of the default language and keyboard (if you use multiple input languages)?
a k 0 Reputation points

2026-04-22T07:45:05.98+00:00

seems to be broken - I also used to do START+DOT and start typing to search for a gif, but now it closes the emoji/gif window and continues typing the original text field.
Robbie 0 Reputation points

2026-05-01T10:26:19.0466667+00:00

Came here because I experience the same problem. The panel is basically useless now.

1 answer

Your answer

Viorel 126.9K Reputation points

2026-04-16T18:43:01.7466667+00:00

Does this happen in case of the default language and keyboard (if you use multiple input languages)?
a k 0 Reputation points

2026-04-22T07:45:05.98+00:00

seems to be broken - I also used to do START+DOT and start typing to search for a gif, but now it closes the emoji/gif window and continues typing the original text field.
Robbie 0 Reputation points

2026-05-01T10:26:19.0466667+00:00

Came here because I experience the same problem. The panel is basically useless now.

Answer 1

Jonathan Deives 70,935 Independent Advisor

When you press the Windows key + . the emoji/gif window doesn't appear?

Press Windows key + R, type services.msc and press Enter.

Locate Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel Service.
Double‑click the service and set Startup type to Automatic.

If the service is not running, click Start, then Apply and OK.
Test Windows key + . again.

Another step is to check if ctfmon.exe is running.

Press Windows key + R.

Type C:\Windows\System32\ctfmon.exe and press Enter.
Try the emoji shortcut again.

Patrick ‪‪ 0 Reputation points

2026-04-28T06:03:04.8633333+00:00

You misunderstand. The search feature within the emoji picker is gone. Look at their image, there used to be a search bar in it to search for emoji.

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My search feature for GIFs and Emojis is gone!

1 answer

Your answer