Outlook Search Not Working? Here’s How to Fix It

Outlook’s search function allows you to quickly scan both emails and various types of attachments by searching for specific phrases or keywords. For instance, if you search for “project” (with or without quotes), Outlook will display all messages containing variations of the term, such as “projects,” “projector,” or “projecting.” This applies to occurrences in the sender’s name, the message body, attachments, or the subject line. However, many Microsoft Outlook users have encountered issues with the search functionality not working as expected following a recent update.

One common reason for these search issues is that Microsoft Outlook data may not be included in the “Indexing Options” dialog box, which can hinder the effectiveness of the search function.

Ensuring Outlook is Indexed Properly

To prevent Outlook search issues, ensure that Outlook is listed under the “Included Locations” in the Indexing Options dialog box. This step is critical for maintaining a smooth search experience in Outlook.

Reasons Why Outlook Search Function Not Working

Several common reasons could explain why the Outlook search function might stop working:

1. Corrupted Outlook Data Files: If your Outlook 2010 data files are corrupted but still in use, this may prevent the search function from working properly.
2. Rebuilt or Migrated Mailboxes: When you rebuild a PST file, add mailboxes, or migrate mailboxes without updating the index, this can disrupt the search functionality in Outlook 2013 and beyond.
3. Corrupted PST Files: A corrupted PST file in Outlook 2016 can lead to indexing problems, affecting search accuracy.
4. Disabled Search Button: If the search function is completely disabled, Outlook’s search capability will not work.
5. Version Upgrades: Updating from an older version (e.g., 2010 to 2016) may disable the search function.

Below are solutions to troubleshoot and fix the Outlook search issues across versions 2010, 2013, and 2016.

Solutions to Fix Outlook Search Not Working in 2010/2013/2016

#1. Rebuild the Outlook Search Index Catalog

For Outlook 2010

• Open Outlook, go to File > Options.
• Select the Search tab and click Indexing Options.
• In the Indexing Options dialog box, click Advanced.
• Click the Rebuild button to rebuild the index.

#2. Check Indexing Status in Outlook 2013

• Click on the Search box, then select Search Tools > Indexing Status.
• This will display the indexing status to ensure all items are being indexed.

#3. Enable Outlook Indexing

• Go to File > Options, and in the Search settings, click Indexing Options.
• Click Modify, then uncheck and recheck Microsoft Outlook to ensure it’s properly indexed.
• Close Outlook and check Task Manager to confirm the Outlook process has stopped before reopening.

#4. Verify OST/PST File Indexing

• Go to File > Account Settings > Data Files.
• Select your Outlook file, click Open, then right-click the .pst or .ost file, choose Properties, and press Advanced.
• Make sure the option “Allow files to have contents indexed in addition to file properties” is selected. Click OK to save changes.

#5. Limitations of Outlook’s Built-In Search Options

• Cached Exchange Mode limits results for speed: Outlook 2013 and 2016 display up to 250 results, while 2010 is limited to 200.
• Built-in indexing may be slower and consume time, which can be a limitation for extensive search needs.

To avoid these limitations, consider using a third-party tool to fix search issues in Outlook.

Repair PST Files with Cigati Outlook PST Repair Tool

Using the Cigati Outlook PST Repair Tool can be an effective solution for recovering Outlook data, including contacts and emails. This tool can repair damaged PST files of any size (up to 80GB or more) and save recovered data in formats such as EML, MSG, new PST files, and DBX.

Conclusion

The steps outlined above can help you troubleshoot and resolve Outlook search issues in versions 2010, 2013, and 2016. If these methods prove inadequate, you might consider an expert solution, such as the Cigati Outlook PST Repair Tool, which offers advanced options like auto-search to help locate specific emails within selected PST files efficiently.

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