Search tab and all upper icons are now clickable in 6 months old microsoft surface pro.why?

It sounds like you are experiencing issues with the touch functionality of your Surface Pro 11, specifically with the search tab and other clickable icons not responding. This could be due to several reasons, including software glitches, driver issues, or hardware malfunctions.

Here are some troubleshooting steps you can try:

1. Restart Your Device: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary glitches.
2. Update Drivers and Firmware: Ensure that your Surface Pro is running the latest drivers and firmware. You can download the latest updates from the Download drivers and firmware for Surface.
3. Run the Surface Diagnostic Toolkit: This tool can help identify and resolve hardware and software issues. You can find it in the Surface Diagnostic Toolkit for Business.
4. Check for Windows Updates: Make sure your Windows operating system is up to date, as updates can fix bugs and improve performance.
5. Reset Your Device: If the issue persists, consider resetting your Surface Pro to factory settings. Make sure to back up your data before doing this.

If none of these steps resolve the issue, you may need to contact Microsoft Support again or consider visiting a Microsoft Authorized Service Provider for further assistance.

References:

• Top support solutions for Surface devices
• Contact Surface Support for Business and Education customers

Hi SD,

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A forum. I completely understand how frustrating it must be when the search bar, download tab, and other top navigation options stop working across Outlook, Gmail, and other sites especially after only a few months of use.

I’ve outlined some troubleshooting steps that should get things back on track:

Step 1: Restart Windows Explorer

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
• Under the Processes tab, find Windows Explorer.
• Right-click it and select Restart. This refreshes the interface and often fixes unresponsive icons.

Step 2: Clear Browser Cache and Reset Settings

• In Edge or Chrome, go to Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to default.
• Clear browsing data (cache and cookies) under Privacy & Security. This helps if the issue is caused by corrupted browser data.

Step 3: Disable Browser Extensions

• Open your browser’s Extensions page and turn off all extensions.
• Alternatively, test in Incognito/Private mode to see if the issue persists. Extensions can sometimes interfere with clickable tabs.

Step 4: Perform a Clean Boot

• Press Win + R, type "msconfig", and press Enter.
• In System Configuration, go to the Services tab.
• Check Hide all Microsoft services, then click Disable all.
• Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
• Disable all startup items, then restart your PC. This helps identify if third-party apps are causing the issue.

*Disclaimer: A "clean boot" starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. It helps to determine whether a background service is interfering with your game or program and to isolate the cause of a problem. 

These steps of "clean boot" might look complicated at first glance. However, to avoid any trouble for you, please follow them in order and step-by-step so that it will help you get back on track. 

Step 5: Create a New User Profile

• Go to Settings > Accounts > Other users.
• Click Add account > choose I don't have this person's sign-in information >Add a user without a Microsoft account.
• Enter a username and password > click Next.
• Sign in with the new account and check if the issue persists. If the problem doesn’t occur, your original profile may be corrupted.

Please let me know how things go, and if you need any extra help with any of the steps. I’m here to support you every step of the way.

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