[Troubleshoot] Outlook Search Not Working – Repair Guide

[Troubleshoot] Outlook Search Not Working – Repair Guide

/ Sed Galope

Are you having trouble finding emails in your Outlook inbox? Maybe you tried using the search bar, but it’s not giving you the results you need. Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Many people experience this issue, but luckily, there are ways to troubleshoot and fix it.

In this post, we’ll go over some simple steps to help you get your Outlook search feature working again. You don’t need to be a computer expert to follow along, so let’s get started!

Updating Outlook

Outlook is a widely used email and calendar application that helps users manage their communication and schedule. However, users may encounter issues such as Outlook search not working, which can be frustrating and impede productivity.

One solution to this problem is to update Outlook to the latest version. Updating Microsoft Outlook can fix bugs and improve performance, which may resolve the issue of the Outlook search function not working. Updating Outlook can also provide users with new search features and security updates.

Step 1: Open Outlook and click on File > Office account.

Step 2: Click the Update Options drop-down menu and select Update Now.

update now option in outlook

Step 3: Close the Outlook app and launch it again.

Check for Available Updates in Outlook 2010

Step 1: Start Outlook and select File.

Step 2: Select Help in the left pane.

Step 3: Select Check for Updates.

Step 4: Choose Install Updates or Check for Updates.

Check for Updates in Outlook 2016 for Mac OS or Outlook for Mac 2011

Step 1: Start Outlook.

Step 2: Select Help.

Step 3: Select Check for Updates.

Step 4: Select Automatically Download and Install under How would you like updates to be installed?

Step 5: Select Check for Updates.

Restart Outlook

If you are having trouble with Outlook search not working properly, closing Outlook could be a simple solution. It is a quick and easy way to see if the problem can be resolved. Restarting Outlook may fix the issue if it is related to a temporary glitch, corrupt file, or another issue. It may also clear any cached data contributing to the problem.

Step 1: Press Win + X and select Task Manager.

open task manager

Step 2: Go to the Processes tab and find Microsoft Outlook.

Step 3: Click the application and click the End task button.

end microsoft outlook task

Step 4: Restart Outlook.

Run the Search Troubleshooter

The Outlook search feature is a convenient tool allowing users to quickly find specific emails, contacts, and calendar items. However, if the search function is not working correctly, it can be frustrating. One way to troubleshoot the issue is by running the Outlook search troubleshooter.

This tool can help identify and fix any problems with the Outlook search index, which is responsible for searching through your email and other items. By running the troubleshooter, you may be able to resolve the issue and restore the functionality of the Outlook search feature.

Step 1: Press Win + I to open the Windows Settings.

Step 2: In the Find a setting search bar, type Trouble.

Step 3: Select Troubleshoot Other Problems appearing in the search results.

search troubleshoot other options in windows settings

Step 4: In the Find and fix other problem section, Scroll down, locate Search and Indexing options, and click the Run the troubleshooter button.

select run the troubleshooter option

Step 5: Check the box Outlook search doesn’t return results and click the Next button.

select outlook search doesnt return results

The Outlook search feature is a convenient tool allowing users to find specific emails, contacts, and calendar items quickly. However, if the search function is not working correctly, it can be frustrating.

One possible cause of the issue is that Outlook may not be properly indexed for search. Indexing is the process by which Outlook creates a catalog of all the items in your mailbox so they can be quickly searched.

If Outlook is not being indexed for search, then the search function will not work properly. By ensuring that Outlook is being indexed for search, you may be able to resolve the issue, fix outlook search and restore the functionality of the Outlook search feature.

Step 1: Open Outlook, click on File, and select Options.

outlook option

Step 2: Go to the Search tab and click the Indexing Options button.

outlook indexing option 1

Step 3: Select Microsoft Outlook and click the Modify button.

outlook modify option

Step 4: Check the box for Microsoft Outlook and click the OK button.

select indexing location in outlook

Ensure Outlook Messages are Indexed

This process involves checking and modifying the Outlook index settings to ensure that all messages, emails, and other items are indexed. This allows Outlook to quickly search through emails and messages to show the relevant results. With the correct index settings, Outlook can quickly and efficiently find the items you need.

Step 1: Open Outlook, click on File and select Options.

outlook option

Step 2: Go to the Search tab and click the Indexing Options button.

outlook indexing option 1

Step 3: Click the Advanced button in the indexing options dialog box.

advanced outlook indexing option

Step 4: Go to the File Types tab, and make sure the file extension msg is checked. Also, in the How should this file be indexed? Section, check the option to Index Properties and File Contents.

Step 5: Click the OK button.

update advanced outlook indexing options

Delete and Rebuild Outlook’s Search Index

Rebuilding Outlook’s search index is a troubleshooting step that can be used to fix issues with Outlook’s search function not working properly. When Outlook’s search index becomes corrupted or outdated, it can lead to poor performance, inaccurate search results, or search not working.

It is rebuilding the search index that forces Outlook to re-create the index from scratch, which can help to resolve these issues. This process can take some time, depending on the size of your mailbox and the number of items that need to be indexed, but it can be a highly effective solution for resolving search problems in Outlook.

Step 1: Open Outlook, click on File and select Options.

outlook option

Step 2: Go to the Search tab and click the Indexing Options button.

outlook indexing option 1

Step 3: Click the Advanced button in the indexing options dialog box.

advanced outlook indexing option

Step 4: In the Index Setting tab, click the Rebuild button.

rebuild

Step 5: Wait for the process to finish and restart your computer.

Repair Outlook

Repairing Microsoft Office involves running diagnostics and making registry changes that could help fix Outlook-related problems.

Step 1: Press Win + R, type appwiz.cpl, and press Enter.

appwiz cpl

Step 2: Scroll down and locate the Microsoft Office program.

select change option in microsoft office

Step 3: Click the Change button.

Step 4: Choose Quick Repair and click the Repair button.

quick repair outlook

Fix Outlook Search using Registry Editor

The Registry Editor is a powerful tool that allows users to modify system settings. By making a few simple changes in the registry, users can resolve the outlook search not working.

Step 1: Press Win + R, type regedit, and press enter.

regedit

Step 2: Navigate this path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows

Step 3: Right-click on the Windows folder key, select New > Key and name it WindowsSearch.

windowssearch registry entry

Step 4: Click the WindowsSearch folder key, right-click on the right pane > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value > name it PreventIndexingOutlook.

registry windowssearch new dword

Step 5: Double-click the new DWORD value and set the Value data to 0.

preventIndexingoutlook value data

Step 6: Click the OK button and restart your computer.

Repair Outlook Data File

If you’re having trouble with Outlook search not working, you may want to look into repairing the Outlook data file. Repairing Outlook data files can help fix many Outlook issues, including connection issues. It can also help to resolve corrupted files, data loss, and other Outlook problems.

Step 1: Open Outlook and click on the File menu.

Step 2: Click on Account Settings > Account settings.

outlook info and account settings

Step 3: Go to the Data Files tab, select your account, and click the Open file location button.

data files and open file location button

Take note of the Path file in the address bar.

Run Microsoft Outlook Data file Repair Tool

This tool can help repair corrupt or damaged Outlook data files, which can cause Outlook to malfunction or not function at all. You can restore Outlook to proper working order by repairing Outlook data files and keeping your important emails, contacts, calendar, tasks, and other data intact.

Depending on which version of Microsoft Office you have, use the path listed below to locate the Outlook data file repair tool:

  • Outlook 2019: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16
  • Outlook 2016: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16
  • Outlook 2013: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15
  • Outlook 2010: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14
  • Outlook 2007: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12

Step 1: Open the appropriate file path above and double-click the SCANPST.EXE file.

scanpst outlook

Step 2: Click the Browse button and search for your Outlook data file.

browse outlook data file

Step 3: Click the Start button to scan your file for any corrupted pst files.

Step 4: Click the Repair button and restart Outlook.

Check if the Windows search service is working

If you are experiencing issues with Outlook’s search function not working properly, one potential solution is checking the status of the Windows Search Service. This service is responsible for indexing and searching the contents of your hard drive.

It can cause problems with Outlook’s search feature if it is not running or configured correctly. By verifying that the Windows Search Service was running and configured correctly, you may be able to resolve the issue and restore the functionality of Outlook’s search feature.

Step 1: Open the Start menu and search Services.

Step 2: Scroll down, find, and double-click Windows Search.

windows search service properties

Step 3: For Startup Type, select Automatic (Delayed Start).

windows search service delayed start

Step 4: If the service status is not Running, click the Start button.

start windows search service

Reinstall Outlook

Reinstalling Outlook can help to ensure that all necessary files are correctly installed and configured. This can help resolve installation issues like corrupted files or incorrect settings.

Reinstalling Outlook will also help to ensure that any new updates or patches are applied correctly and that Outlook is running the most recent version. In some cases, reinstalling Outlook may be the best way to fix the problem.

Sed Galope
Meet the author

Sedfrey is an experienced writer and editor. He's also a PC hardware and gaming enthusiast. In his spare time, he enjoys reading about the latest innovations in the PC market and finding fixes to hardware and software errors.