Microsoft’s own email client, Outlook, is a very helpful tool for users to send emails. The search function of Outlook is also very helpful. It enables the users to locate any particular information in the email. However, some users have reported that they are facing the problem of Outlook search not working. If you are one such user, do not worry. I will be discussing some of the easiest solutions here so that you can fix your problem quickly.  

Solutions for “Outlook Search Not Working”

Outlook 365 search not working can be a very problematic situation but fortunately, there are solutions available applying which you can fix this error by yourself. So, here are those effective solutions for fixing this error. 

Solution 1: Update Microsoft Office

If your Microsoft Office software is out of date, then you can face this problem. So let us see how to update Outlook.

Check for Updates in the Outlook 2019, 2016, and 2013

  • Open Outlook. 
  • Go to the option of “File”.
  • After that, go to the option of “Office Account”. 
  • Here, click on the option of “Product Information” and then select the option of “Update Option”. 
  • Now, click on the “Enable Updates” option. 
  • After that, click on the button of “Update Now”. This will make Outlook search for updates. If there are any updates available, they will be downloaded automatically.

Check for Updates in Outlook 2010

  • Open Outlook. 
  • Click on the option of “File”.
  • On the left pane of the window, click on the option of “Help”. 
  • Here, select the option of “Check for Updates”. 
  • After that, click on the option of “Check for Updates” or “Install Updates”. Now, Outlook will search for any available updates and download them automatically. 

After the update is complete, check Outlook and see if the problem of Outlook 2010, Outlook 2013, and Outlook 2016 search not working problem is solved or not. 

Solution 2.  Rebuild the Index of Outlook

Rebuilding the Index of Outlook is an effective way of fixing this problem. You can do this by anyone of the following methods:-

Using Program and Features

  • Open the Start menu and in the search bar, type “control”. 
  • From the search result, you have to select the option of “Control Panel”. 
  • After that, go to the option of “Programs”. Then, select the option of “Program & Features”. 
  • Now, scroll down the page and click on the option of “Outlook (your version)”. 
  • Then, from the top menu, select the option of “Change”. 
  • On the new window, you can select the option of “Online Repair” or “Quick Repair”. 
  • It will be better to click on “Quick Repair”. This process of the update will not need an internet connection to complete. After the process is complete, restart your computer. 

Using the Option of Outlook Index Repair 

  • Open Outlook.
  • Then, click on the option of “File”. After that, click on “Options”. Then, select the option of “Search”. 
  • Within this option, you have to click on the button of “Indexing Options”. Then, select the option of “Advanced”. 
  • Next, click on the button of “Rebuild” and then confirm the action by clicking on “OK”. This process can take a few minutes to complete. When the rebuilding process is complete, restart your PC. 

The Index rebuilding process is now complete, but you must double-check the status of Indexing. 

  • Open the search bar of Outlook and within it, go to the tab of “Search”. 
  • After that, click on the option of “Search tools”. Then, select the option of “Indexing Status”. Here, you will be able to see which items are waiting to be Indexed. You will be able to use Outlook search while the other items are being indexed, but you will experience some problems.      

Now, check if the problem of Outlook 2010 search not working is fixed or not.

Solution 3. Check the Locations of the Outlook Index

Another reason for this problem to occur can be because Outlook is not listed in the indexed locations list. To check it, follow the steps below.

  • Open Outlook and then select the option of “File”. 
  • After that, click on “Options”, and then select the option of “Search”. 
  • Within this option, go to the option of “Indexing Options”. Here, click on the option of “Modify”. 
  • Check if the Microsoft Outlook checkbox is checked or not. If not, check the box and then click on the button of “OK”. 

After the process is complete, restart your computer and see if the Outlook 365 search not working problem is solved or not. 

Solution 4. Use Registry to Fix Outlook Search

You can also use Windows Registry to fix the problem with the Outlook search. You can follow the steps given below to complete the process successfully.

  • Open the Run box by pressing the R and Windows key simultaneously. 
  • In the Run box, type “Regedit” and hit Enter. This will bring up the Registry Editor.
  • Now, open the search menu of Windows by pressing the F and Ctrl keys simultaneously. Here, you have to paste the given command:

“HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search”

  • This will take you to the required file location. Here, from the panel on the right-hand side, you have to right-click on the folder of “New Dword (32-bit). Now, rename this as “preventIndexingOutlook”. After that, you have to assign the value of “0” for this folder. 
  • Now, click on “OK” to reboot your computer. 

When the computer turns back on, check if the Outlook search not working problem is resolved or not. 

Solution 5. Check the Settings of The Outlook Indexing Group Policy

There is less chance that this is the reason for the Outlook Search not working. Moreover, this process is only applicable to the users of Windows 10. 

  • Open the Start menu and in the search bar, you have to type “gpedit”. 
  • Now, within the Group Policy Editor, you have to select the option of “Use Configuration”. Then, go to the option of “Administrative Templates”, and then click on the option of “Search”. 
  • After that, you have to check for the alterations in Microsoft Outlook in the “Prevent indexing certain paths” and “Default excluded paths”. 

If you see that the state of these policies is “Not configured”, then it means that it is not the reason for your Outlook 2016 search not working problem.   

Solution 6. Reinstalling Outlook

If none of the above solutions are able to solve this Outlook search problem, then you can try reinstalling the software. So, follow the steps given below to successfully do the reinstallation.

  • Open the Start menu and open the Control Panel.
  • Now, locate the option of “Add or Remove Programs” and double click on it. A list will appear on the screen. Here, all the applications that are installed on your computer will be listed. 
  • Locate the option of “Microsoft Office” and select it. 
  • After that, click on the button of “Change”. The installer program will take some time to load. 
  • From here, click on the option of “Reinstall or Repair” and click on “Next”. 
  • Now, select the option of “Reinstall Office” and after that, select the option of “Install”. This will start the process of reinstalling Outlook. 
  • After the process is completed, click on the button of “OK”. 

Now, check if the problem of Outlook search not working is solved or not. 

Conclusion

I hope that you have understood the solutions and you will be able to solve this Outlook search problem easily. These fixes are very effective and easy to implement. You can start implementing the solutions one by one and stop when it is solved.