Strange translucent boxes may sometimes show up on Windows 11’s Home screen. If you move your mouse cursor over that box, a loading icon will pop up on that area to make things even more confusing. Let’s see how you can get rid of these mysterious ghost boxes on Windows 11.
How to Get Rid of Ghost Boxes on Windows 11
Restart Windows Explorer
Try restarting Windows Explorer and check if this quick workaround solves the problem.
- Click on the Search icon.
- Type Task Manager in the search field.
- Double-click on Task Manager to launch the app.
- Select the Processes tab.
- Right-click on Windows Explorer.
- Select Restart.
Go back to the Home screen, and check if the ghost boxes are still there.
Disable MiniSearchHost
Some users suggested that disabling MiniSearchHost could solve the problem of the mysterious boxes on Windows 11’s Home screen.
- Relaunch the Task Manager.
- Then, click on the Processes tab.
- Locate the MiniSearchHost process.
- Right-click on it and select Disable.
⇒ Note: If you can’t find MiniSearchHost on the Processes tab, click on the Details tab. You should be able to find it there.
Update or Reinstall Your Display Driver
If the issue persists, try updating or reinstalling your display driver.
- Launch the Device Manager.
- Expand the Display Adapters section.
- Right-click on your Display Driver.
- Select Update driver.
- If the ghost boxes are still there, right-click again on your Display Driver.
- This time, select Uninstall device.
- Restart your computer to automatically reinstall the driver.
Run DISM and SFC
Use the System File Checker and Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool to repair corrupted or missing system files.
- Launch Command Prompt with admin rights.
- Run the following commands one by one, hitting Enter after each command:
- dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
- sfc /scannow
- Restart your computer, and check the results.
Conclusion
To fix translucent ghost boxes on Windows 11, launch the Task Manager and restart the Windows Explorer process. Additionally, disable the MiniSearchHost process. Then, update or reinstall your display driver. You can also run DISM and SFC to repair corrupted or missing system files.
Did these solutions help you fix the problem? Hit the comments below and tell us which method did the trick for you.
Jeanne says
NOTHING has worked. I have tried every suggestion on every single site over the past several weeks, including walking through each of your steps. I am seriously thinking I’m going to have to buy a new laptop, which is ridiculous. :(
gulzar says
updating display driver worked for me
Evgeni says
Aaron’s suggestion worked for me. Thank you.
Shane says
endtask mini search host fixed it for me, next reboot i will disable it, thx guy’s
John Smith says
I have worse! The whole of the right hand of my Acer Swift 5 Win 11 screen for about 4 inches from right-hand side is unclickable. You have to fake-click the battery, speaker, or wifi icons in the system tray ON/OFF get this invisible window (?) to go away and then you can click on anything under where it was again – and that includes the desktop or anything in Edge or Chrome.
Awful bullet-proofing MS! Shame on you
Aaron says
Just hover over the search icon until the popup appears and then move the mouse cursor away and it’ll redraw without the shadow. No faffing about with command line or task manager needed.
Aksha says
I have noticed an unusual behaviour in addition to the translucent ghost window over search button. Sometimes, when I hover over the search button and click on one of the three choices which pops up, it is likely that that link will not open up. So if I go back and just hover over the seach button, that link will now open up. This happens even when the ghost window is not showing. Also, how is restarting explorer is a solution for this glitch? MS should have found a solution by now.