Why doesn't search bar on turbotax premier work? It only switches to digital assistant with no place to enter questions?

As an alternative to the search bar, I suggest trying a Tax Topic search.

 Select Tax Tools

• This is on the left sidebar
• You may have to minimize the Federal and State options
• You also may have to scroll down on that menu

1. Once you can work on Tax Tools
2. On the drop-down select Tools
3. There will be 3 or 4 green boxes
4. Select Topics Search
5. Type the form number or a topic.
6. Continue through the questions.

When you click on SEARCH in the upper right you either get the Turbo Tax Digital Assistant or the Turbo Tax Help box depending if you are signed in. I have gotten the Jump to links using both ways.  In the Desktop program you can sign in or sign out of your account under FILE on the top menu.

If you are signed in it will say Signed in as [name] under File. SEARCH will open the Digital Assistant like a chat box. Go to the bottom and type your search then click the send arrow on the right side.

If you are signed out, it will say Sign in under File. The SEARCH box will ask you to sign in. If you get a window asking you to sign in, don't sign in. Click the X in the top right corner to get rid of the sign in window. Then you will have the Search box where you enter your search at the top of the box.

What are you searching for?   Here's a search showing the Jump to Link for Schedule E.