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This tip is about the how to fix Outlook Search not working on Windows 11. So read this free guide, How to fix Outlook Search not working on Windows 11. If you have query related to same article you may contact us.
How to fix Outlook Search not working on Windows 11 – Guide
Let’s try one of the many Windows troubleshooters before diving into Outlook-specific solutions. In Start>Settings>Update and security you will discover the Windows search troubleshooter.
Choose Troubleshoot, Additional Troubleshooters, Search and Index, then Run the Troubleshooter. Microsoft Outlook’s search function is a powerful tool. When it fails, luckily it’s simple to fix. Just follow our eight steps to re-enable Outlook search. In no time, you’ll be in control of your emails again.
Is Outlook Search not working for you? Do not worry. These troubleshooting suggestions can help you resolve the issue.
How to Fix Outlook Search that doesn’t work on Windows 11
Method 1: use programs and Features
Allow the process to complete and restart the system.
Method 2: Use Outlook’s Index Repair Menu Option
There is a second Outlook Index Repair menu option, you just need to know where to find it.
After the rebuild is complete, restart the system.
Also: Double check the indexing status
There is a quick way to check Outlook’s indexing status.
In Outlook, type “search” into the Tell Me toolbar. Now select Search Tools > Indexing Status and see how many items are waiting to be indexed. You can still use Outlook search while the remaining items are indexed, but you’ll find some omissions.
Method 3: Check Outlook Index Locations
Next up, double-check that Outlook is in the list of indexed locations.
Now restart your system.
Method 4: Fix Outlook Search Using the Registry
It is possible to repair Outlook search using the Windows Registry.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE Policies Microsoft Windows Windows Search
Method 5: Update Microsoft Office 2019
When was the last time your Office version was updated? Your Outlook search issues can be resolved by updating Office to the latest version.
If you don’t see any upgrade option and there is only an About button, consider the following:
You can always manually install a Microsoft Office update through the Office updates download page.
Method 6: Repair the Outlook Personal Folder (.PST) file
Another option is to repair your Outlook home folder (.PST) file using the Inbox Repair Tool. Outlook search may encounter issues if your Outlook home folder file is corrupted.
First, you need to find the repair tool. Your location depends on your version of Outlook. You are looking for scanpst.exe in one of the following places:
If you haven’t defined up a POP3 email account, but get email using IMAP, you might not find the file.
You also need to know the location of your PST file. Outlook 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019 and newer version users should find their home folder file at:
C: Users YOURUSERNAME AppData Local Microsoft Outlook
If you can only see an OST file in the above location, it is a sign that you are using IMAP instead of POP3 to check your email.
Now right click on scanpst.exe and select Run as administrator. Click Browse, copy and paste the file location of your home folder into the address bar. Select the relevant account, press Open and Start. This process may take a few minutes, but it should fix Outlook search issues.
Method 7: Verify Outlook Indexing Group Policy Setting
This option is a bit remote; if something specifically changed this setting, you have other problems. But it’s worth exploring all of Outlook’s search correction options. Unfortunately, this option is only available to Windows 10 Pro users such as Home users do not have access to the Windows 10 Local Group Policy Editor dashboard.
Type gpedit into the Start menu search bar and select the best match.
Now navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Search. Check Default excluded paths and Prevent indexing of certain paths for changes against Microsoft Outlook.
If the policy’s state is set to Not Configured, you know that’s not where Outlook search issues come from.
Method 8: Reinstall Outlook
As a last resort, you can uninstall and reinstall Microsoft Outlook. Obviously this is very time consuming and not the ideal solution. But some users report that this latest feature has finally fixed their Outlook search issues.
Final note
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