How to Fix Outlook Search Not Working Issue?

Are you facing the situation in Outlook that mainly states that “Outlook search not working” and now you have no idea what to do next? Then, read this blog until the end as you will discover the reason and their method to solve this issue.

As we know that Outlook is one of the highly preferred email clients as it provides its users with several useful features and one of them is the Search Feature. This Outlook Search is very helpful but most of the time it shows error messages of search functions not Working. Therefore, Outlook needs to solve these issues. But first, let’s first know the reason behind it.

Reasons Behind “Outlook Search function not working”

Some of the causes behind this issue are - 

1. If the Search Function is fully disabled.

Mostly, when the user updated their MS Outlook from the earlier version. They forget that their search is disabled while updating so it is necessary to turn it on to continue.  

 2. If Your Outlook Data Files Are Incomplete Index

If you are facing this situation then you have to wait till the Outlook Data index is ended. As the process of Indexing requires a longer time and also depends on the size of hard drive and Outlook data. Therefore, you have to leave the computer for the whole night in order to catch the indexing service.

It has been seen that the indexing process takes forever to end and Outlook will display the ‘incomplete index’ error message doesn’t depend on the time that the user has waited.

3. Large Sized Attachments Available In The PST Files

The large attachment is a serious issue to this error. Therefore, Users should choose suitable software that can compress the PST attachments. 

4. If Outlook Data Files are Corrupted

This is also one of the reasons that may lead to this kind of error. Users can use the Scanpst.exe to repair PST files. If you are facing extreme corruption, then you can use Outlook Recovery Software.

If you take care of the above reasons then you will not counter with the situation of Outlook search not working.

Also, Outlook is not responsible for the search issues and Outlook’s search problem completely depends on Windows to find search results. Therefore, You need to check at the Windows Search Service and make sure that it is working properly. Once it is corrected then Outlook is easily able to browse anything.

Windows Search is used for the indexing service. Previously, it was known as Windows Indexing Service or Windows Desktop Search. In this, the software available in the background will generate an index of the entire Outlook file item.  

Some Manual Methods To Fix if Outlook search function not working Search Problem

Step 01: Confirm indexing is achieved

You can confirm if the indexing is fulfilled or not. You can confirm it by following these steps that are written below:

In Outlook 2007

• First, you have to launch your MS Outlook
• Then, visit Tools – Instant Search
• Then you can view messages in the Microsoft Office Outlook dialog box.

Outlook has ended the indexing of all the items. And will index the new items once they reach. Therefore, there are 0 items present in “Mailbox -<username>”. And 0 items are located in the all open mailboxes.

In Outlook 2010 & Outlook 2013

• First, Launch the MS Outlook
• Then, Visit Search > Search Tools >Indexing Status
• At last, You will receive the following message as soon as the Indexing Status dialog box will be displayed on your pc screen

Now, Outlook has finalized indexing your entire items. And now, 0 items are left to be indexed.

If by chance any items are left to be indexed then you should standby for the moment until Outlook indexes your entire files.

Make a note to remind the number of items that are left to be indexed. So that in another time, if the numbers don't reduce then you can use the below method.

Step 02: Arrange the Correct Indexing Options

If you are a Microsoft Outlook user and are using either an Exchange server with Use Cached Exchange Mode or using a non-Exchange email account, then you should follow these steps so that indexing options of your Outlook have been arranged in the proper way or not.

• First, you have to close your MS Outlook
• Then, you can open the Indexing options

In Windows XP

Visit Start – then Settings – Control Panel and in the control panel, you have to double-tap on the Indexing options

Point to remember: Tap on the Performance and Maintenance and then open your Indexing Options, in case, if your Control Panel is present in the Category View

In Windows 7

Visit the Start button then browse the Indexing Options in the Search box and then tap on the Enter

In Windows 8

Visit Start then type Indexing options in the search bar > under Search tap on the Settings – and then choose the Indexing Options

• Then, tap on the Advanced in the Indexing Options dialog box and choose the File Types tab
• After that, Scroll downward to msg in the Extension column
• Choose the MSG and also enable the index Properties and File Content options
• Finally, tap on Ok button, then you can close

Step 03: Comprise the Outlook Data into Indexing

In this section, you can confirm if the whole Outlook data has been indexed or not.

You can browse for the specific phrases or keywords which are located in the email messages.

Point to be noted that this feature is not present in the MS Outlook 2013 if the search doesn’t show any email messages then follow the below steps to include all the Outlook data files get indexed.

• First, close your MS Outlook
• Then, open your Indexing options

In Windows XP

Visit start>Settings>Control Panel and in the control panel double tap on the Indexing options

Note: Tap on the Performance and Maintenance and then open Indexing Options, if your Control Panel is in the Category View

In Windows 7

Visit the Start button > browse Indexing Options in the Search box and tap on the Enter.

In Windows 8

Visit the Start then type the Indexing options in the search bar and under Search tap on the Settings, choose the Indexing Options.

• Then, choose the Modify in the Indexing Options and tap on the Ok button.
• Then, in the Indexing Options dialog box choose the option Advance and, tap on the Rebuild
• At last, tap on the Ok and then Close it.

For restoring the Index, you must provide some time. As soon as your Outlook has finalized in restoring your Index, then there will be no Outlook Search issues.

If this solution also does not work then you should contact Microsoft Customer Support Services for more guidance.

Conclusion

In this blog, I have explained reasons and different methods to fix Outlook search not working. You can follow these simple steps that will enable you in fixing the Outlook search.

In this pandemic, if your Outlook search is not working properly, then you can use software from SysInfoTools as it is able to help you with their great tools and 24/7 customer support in order to solve your problems. Hence, be safe, be productive!