Outlook search not wokring

Microsoft Outlook keeps on introducing new features and functions to keep things convenient for the users. One of the amazing options available to the users in Outlook is the option to easily search for email messages and their particulars like sender, date, or the folder in which they are saved. In case you are experiencing a problem with the Search option in your Outlook email program, you can easily fix it by following the information provided below.

Steps to Fix “Outlook Search not Working” Issue

  1. Check Whether your Outlook Program is Up-to-Date (Outlook Version 2019, 2016, and 2013)

  • On your computer, open Outlook email program and click on the File option located at the top-left corner of the screen. From the menu, you will need to select the Office Account
  • In the Office Account section, you will need to select the Update Options located under Product Information. Then, you will need to select the Enable Updates option (if available).
  • After that, you will need to click on the Update Now Doing so will make Outlook to begin checking for updates. If updates would be available, they will be downloaded.
  1. Try Troubleshooting Indexing

If you are seeing a message in your Outlook program that says “No matches found” or “Search results may be incomplete because items are still being indexed” when carrying out a search, it is recommended to try troubleshooting indexing. Here are the steps to do so:

  • On your computer, launch the Outlook email program and click on the Search This will make the Search Tools field to become editable.
  • Next, click on the Search Tools drop-down located in the Options group and then select the Indexing Status
  • This will display a message that would read “Outlook has finished indexing all of your items. 0 items remaining to be indexed.
  • If there are items remaining to be indexed, wait for 5 minutes before trying to index again. In case the problem persists, go to the next workaround.
  1. Check Whether or Not Indexing Options Are Correctly Configured

  • On your computer, go to the Start Search field or on the Start In the search field, you will need to enter Indexing Options and press Search option.
  • Next, in the Indexing Options in the dialog box, you will need to select the Advanced Then, you will need to click “Index Properties and File Contents is enabled” option.
  • After that, you will need to click on the OK button and then hit the Close Then, make sure that Outlook data files are being indexed.
  • To make sure that Outlook data files are being indexed, go to the Start Search box or Start Here, you will need to type Indexing Options in the provided field and ensure that Outlook appears in the Included Locations column of the Indexing Options box.
  • Next, you will need to click on the Modify option in case your Microsoft Outlook is not listed.
  • Then, select the checkbox next to the Microsoft Outlook, click on the OK button and then click on the Close

After following above given options, you will need to rebuild the search catalog if the indexing is still appearing to be jammed. To do so,

  • Enter “Indexing Options” in the Start Search field or in the Start screen field.
  • Next, select the Modify option in the Indexing Options dialog box.
  • Then, you will need to deselect the checkbox next to the Outlook option and click on the OK
  • After that, select the Advanced This will take you to the Advanced Options dialog box.
  • Under the Advanced Options dialog box, click on the Rebuild > Ok > Close to complete the process.

However, if even after following the above-mentioned steps, you are facing a problem using the search feature and getting “No Results” messages, in such a case it is recommended to download and run the Outlook Search Repair diagnostic. This utility will help you in getting rid of the issue by inspecting for duplicate installations and re-indexed Outlook files. To know how to perform this process, follow these steps:

  • Download and run the Outlook Search Repair Utility on your computer. You can download the utility from the official website of Microsoft.
  • After running the utility, when prompted, you will need to delete the duplicate Outlook installations from your system.
  • Next, you will need to restart your computer when prompted to do so.
  • Then, you will need to click on the Reindex button and wait until the utility completes the process.
  • After that, you will need to close the Outlook Search Repair when a notification appears on your screen stating “Reindexing has completed”.

Repairing Outlook

If even after following the above-mentioned steps, the Outlook Search option doesn’t work with your system, it is recommended to use the default Office repair utility to fix the issue.

  • Exit from all Microsoft Office applications on your computer and enter Apps & Features in the Windows search
  • Next, select the Apps & Features option and then locate and click on the Microsoft Office in the installed applications and features’ list.
  • Then, click on the Modify option, and then you will need to click on the Yes option when you see a user account control window prompting a notification that reads “Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device”.
  • After that, select the Online Repair option and then click on the Repair Next, restart Outlook program after the repair process gets completed successfully.

So, now as you know the different workarounds to clear the Outlook search not working issue, you can follow them anytime you face the problem on your Outlook program. if still you need expert help, call Outlook customer service help number to get instant help on Outlook email.

Outlook Search Not Working? How to Fix it?

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