While emailing, you gotta attach some files from other received emails.
But a crippled surprise was in your luck because Outlooks search went silent!
Dont think you are alone; many people around the globe are having this severe issue with Outlook.
This is like a nightmare when you cant search for emails in Outlook when its urgent.
I have faced this issue, and I know how to fix this problem with Outlook.
I have given all the proven methods with easy steps in this article.
So, take a cup of coffee and start reading.
Why Outlook Search Not Working?
Backdated Outlook may cause this problem too.
According to Microsoft, Outlook Search is not showing recent emails after a Windows update KB5008212.
Outlook search work through searching and indexing functionality.
When this function or the path gets scrambled, it wont give you the search result.
So, troubleshooting the search and indexing using Windows troubleshooting can put a light on solving this issue.
These are the main reason behind this problem.
I hope you understand why your Outlook is not showing emails when searching.
Check out our separate post on how toChange the Inbox View in Outlook.
You will not face any difficulties while applying those steps within the methods.
Here are the methods to fix Outlook search not working:
1.
So, closing and opening Outlook will solve the problem.
I hope closing and re-opening Outlook will quickly solve the problem when Outlook tweaks are not altered accidentally.
If this didnt solve the Outlook search issue, go for the following method.
Heres a complete guide on how toChange Outlook View HTML to Plain Text.
you could troubleshoot this by going to the Windows controls.
Windows has a built-in search and indexing troubleshooting option to get this job done easily.
Just go to the Windows prefs and trigger the troubleshooter.
Just follow the below steps to execute the search and indexing troubleshooter.
When it finds the error, it will resolve that also.
Related guides: how toView Message Headers in Outlook.
But fixing this is not going to be a problem.
Windows has search controls and repairing options, and Outlook has its own search and indexing controls.
If the Outlook message is not indexed for the search, you should enable it.
Just go to the Outlook Options and check for it.
I hope this time you wont face any issues with the search.
Also related to this guide how toCreate an Outlook Rule to Manage Emails.
But if Outlooks search issue still continues, its time to delete and rebuild the Outlook search index.
Outlook search might fail when the search index itself gets corrupted.
Thats why you should rebuild the Outlook search index.
Its a simple process, and it wont take much time.
So, lets jump into the steps.
Restart the PC after the rebuilding is done and test whether Outlooks search is working or not.
Using a Windows registry to fix this is a kind of force clean-up bugged files.
Apply this method if you are a pro-Windows user or follow the below steps carefully.
There are two steps to fix this issue using the windows registry.
The first one is deleting the Outlook folder, and the second one is modifying the registry.
Important:IncorrectlyChanging the Windows registry can cause a severe issue.
So, be careful while applying the steps.
For protection, you might backup the registry before modifying it.
For any mishappening, you might restorethe registry later.
But dont delete any other folder accidentally.
Be extra careful while applying the following steps.
you’ve got the option to also try modifying the registry for Outlook to solve the problem.
All you’re gonna wanna do is add a DWORD 32-bit value to the Outlook registry.
So, follow the steps carefully.
Check whether the Outlook email searing is working or not.
Check out our separate post onDelete Emails in Microsoft Outlook.
You will find the SCANPST.exe file in Outlooks installation directory.
But for older versions like 2007 and 2010, you will find it inC:\users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlookthis directory.
After relaunching Outlook, find out if the search function of Outlook works or not.
To solve this, you might try updating Outlook to the latest version.
Running the latest version will help eliminate all the bugs and compatibility issues.
So, check for updates and install it if available.
Below are the steps to update outlook from the MS Office account.
Here are the steps to update Outlook:
MS Office will look for available updated Outlook versions.
If available, download and install them.
FAQs
Why is my Outlook email searching not working?
Outlook email searching has crapped out due to an indexing error, outdated program, or corrupted PST files.
Sometimes, Windows updates can create this issue too.
How do I fix the Outlook search not working?
Additionally, you could use Windows Registry to modify Outlook key values.
Why is Outlook not searching current emails?
The common problem with searching is the problem with the indexing function in Windows operating system.
All the Outlook version uses the same Outlook search index function for searching emails.
How to check Windows search services working or not?
select theStart iconand search forServices.
press theStartbutton if the Service status is not running.
Its one of the reasons among many.
But fixing is possible with some simple steps.
you’ve got the option to go for troubleshooting search and indexing from Windows controls.
Rebuild the Outlook Index or scan the PST file will solve this problem.
All the methods I have implemented in this article are super easy.
I hope you read this article till the end and you solve the issue already.
Do you need further assistance?
Let me know in the comment box.
