The search characteristic in Outlook can exist a lifesaver, saving y'all from having to scroll through hundreds of emails to find something. But, what happens when Outlook search stops working?

In this article, we'll prove you nine means to prepare Outlook search. We'll kickoff with the easiest and nigh probable prepare, so endeavour these solutions in the gild in which they're listed.

Annotation: There are several versions of Outlook, and we'll attempt to embrace as many as possible wherever the process varies between versions.

1. Restart Outlook Using the Job Manager

The starting time matter to try is but restarting Outlook. Often, closing the program doesn't cease it from running in the groundwork. To restart Outlook completely:

  1. Open the Outset Carte du jour and type Task Manager.
  2. Click on Task Manager.
  1. Nether the Processes tab, right-click Mail and select Finish Task.
  1. Re-open Outlook.
  2. Update Microsoft Outlook

Out-of-engagement software oft introduces glitches, then the next thing to try when Outlook search is not working is updating Outlook.

2. Update Outlook 2013, 2016, or 2019

  1. Open up Outlook.
  2. Select File > Role Account.
  1. Under Product Information, click Update Options.
  1. Select Enable Updates, then in the driblet-downward box select Update Now.

Update Outlook 2010, Outlook 2016 for Mac, and Outlook for Mac 2011

  1. Open Outlook.
  2. Select Help > Check for Updates.
  3. Select Install Updates or Check for Updates if they're bachelor. Otherwise, select Automatically Download and Install > Bank check for Updates.

One time the update has been completed, check to see if your search office is working.

3. Use the Windows Search Troubleshooter

Sometimes, the Windows Search Troubleshooter is able to fix Outlook search issues (as well as a host of other Windows search problems). To try this:

  1. Printing the Windows key + I to open Settings.
  2. Select Update & Security.
  1. Click Troubleshoot and select Boosted troubleshooters.
  1. Scroll down and select Search and Indexing > Run the troubleshooter.
  1. Wait for the troubleshooter to observe problems. When it asks what problems yous've noticed, select Outlook search doesn't return results.
  1. Let the troubleshooter effort to find any problems again. If it does, click Try these repairs every bit an administrator.

Hopefully, the troubleshooter is able to repair Outlook and your search function will work again.You may also wish to double-check that the Windows Search Service is working.

To practise and then:

  1. Open up the Get-go Carte du jour, blazon services.msc in the search bar and press Enter.
  1. Curl down and double-click Windows Search.
  1. For Startup type, set it to Automatic (Delayed Start).
  1. If the Service status doesn't say Running, select Commencement.

4. Rebuild the Outlook Index

A mutual reason for the Outlook plan'due south search function to stop working is that the index is corrupted or not working correctly. The index acts as a catalog that allows Outlook to search your emails.

To rebuild the index:

  1. Open up Outlook.
  2. Select File > Options.
  1. Select Search > Indexing Options.
  1. Select Advanced options.
  1. Finally, select Rebuild then OK.

Wait for this process to complete and then restart your PC. Once it has restarted, cheque to see whether Outlook search is now working.

5. Double-Bank check Outlook Index Settings

Another common issue is that the settings relating to Outlook'southward index are incorrect. Usually, key components of Microsoft Office aren't indexed.

Cheque the Indexed Locations

  1. Open Outlook.
  2. Select File > Options.
  1. Select Search > Indexing Options.
  1. Make sure that Microsoft Outlook is listed.
  1. If it isn't, click Change.
  1. Find and check Microsoft Outlook, then select OK.

Configure Indexing Options

  1. Shut Outlook.
  2. Follow steps 1-3 above to open Indexing Options.
  3. Select Avant-garde.
  1. Select the File Types tab, scroll down to msg and select it.
  1. Ensure that the Index Properties and File Contents setting is checked.
  1. Select OK.

six. Repair Your PST Files

A PST file (Personal Storage Table) is a file format that Microsoft uses to store emails, calendar data, and contacts. It's possible that one or more than of these files has become corrupted and is causing the Outlook search to malfunction. Luckily, it'southward ofttimes possible to repair PST files.

To effort this:

  1. Ensure that Outlook is closed.
  2. In File Explorer, navigate to C:\Plan Files or C:\Program Files (x86).
  3. Type scanpst.exe into the search box and double-click it to run the executable file.

Notation: Yous tin notice the nigh contempo version manually at:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Official sixteen

  1. In the field Enter the file proper noun to exist checked, your primary .PST file should be entered automatically.

Notation: If not this tin exist found at:

Windows 10: drive:\Users\<username>\Roaming\Local\Microsoft\Outlook

Older versions: drive:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

  1. Select Start and wait for the process to complete.
  1. If the tool finds errors, select Repair.
  1. Restart Outlook and check if the search function works.

7. Apply the Registry Editor

It'due south possible to reset Outlook manually past using the registry. This is a kind of forced make clean upwards of any bewitched files, and nosotros recommend but doing this step if you're an experienced Windows user, as several issues tin can ascend from incorrect entries.

Prior to doing this step, brand a fill-in of your registry.

  1. Printing the Windows Cardinal + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type regedit and hit Enter.
  1. In the Registry Editor, navigate to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Function\16.0\Outlook

Note: If you're using Outlook 2010, supersede 16.0 with 14.0. For Outlook 2013, use 15.0.

  1. Delete this folder.
  2. Restart your PC and check the Outlook search function. The registry entry should automatically rebuild as yous boot your PC.

8. Create a New User Profile

Sometimes, the search may end working due to an outcome with your Outlook profile. If a new contour works, it's worth transferring your data and information from your old profile to the new one to set up the search malfunction.

nine. Reinstall Outlook

The merely option remaining is to try and reinstall Outlook. To practice so, you will accept to use the Office uninstall support tool:

  1. Download the Office uninstall back up tool.
  1. Run the installer once it'southward downloaded.
  1. Select the version of Office you wish to uninstall (for instance, Microsoft 365 Apps) and consummate the sorcerer.
  1. Restart your PC. Complete the steps when the uninstaller automatically re-opens.
  2. Reinstall the version of Office you wish to use.

In Search of Lost Time

Beingness able to search Outlook past sender, date, keyword, etc., is one of its nearly useful features. And then, hopefully, one of the fixes in this guide sorted out your Outlook search event and you tin get back to your emails. If you know of a fix we haven't listed here, let us know in the comments!