Fix #19148

src/vs/workbench/parts/preferences/browser/preferencesEditor.ts

@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ export class PreferencesEditor extends BaseEditor {
 	}
 
 	public focus(): void {
-		this.searchWidget.focus();
+		this.sideBySidePreferencesWidget.focus();
 	}
 
 	public clearInput(): void {
@@ -308,6 +308,12 @@ export class SideBySidePreferencesWidget extends Widget {
 		this.sash.setDimenesion(this.dimension);
 	}
 
+	public focus(): void {
+		if (this.editablePreferencesEditor) {
+			this.editablePreferencesEditor.focus();
+		}
+	}
+
 	public getEditablePreferencesEditor(): IEditor {
 		return this.editablePreferencesEditor;
 	}