How can I fix android phone constant error message 'Unfortunately, Google Search has stopped?'

[AC Question]

Started yesterday; won't allow me to SMS, constantly interrupts anything I try to do on the phone.

 

[belodion]

Welcome.

Try Settings, Storage, Cached Data, and clear the cache. Follow with a Power Off and Restart of the phone.
Get back to us right here if still no go.

 

[boldtag]

We, too, have had the 'Google Search has stopped' message. Extremely irritating because it pops up about once per minute no matter what we do. I couldn't find 'Google Search' in the apps list to disable it (what would happen if I even could?) The only apps I could find that might be related are Gmail, Google, Google Settings, Google+ -- none of which we use.

I did follow the path cited to clear cache, then did a power off and restart. Problem persisted.
I was able to use my PC to move photos from the phone to the PC, but that's all I could find. Could not find any way to preserve notes and message history.

I finally did a factory reset, but then lost all the notes and text history. But I was finally able to send a text message,


What app uses the Google Search? How do I prevent it from happening every few months?