Site icon WPDig.com

Outlook search not working in Windows 11: what to do?

  • Searches in Outlook can suffer immediately we update the operating system
  • When this section of the email client fails, the causes and solutions can be varied
  • We have to discard the first ones while we carry out tutorials to fix the search

Microsoft’s email client may not be the favorite of the majority, as is Gmail, but even so, its operation is usually good. However, it is clear that an operating system update could affect it. For this reason, if you notice that Outlook search does not work on your PC upgraded to Windows 11, you will discover in the following lines some of the possible causes and solutions of the problem.

The fact is that, as we said, there are specific times when certain Outlook functions do not respond. One of the ones that can usually be altered is the search function, which is essential if we are looking for old emails and we don’t know exactly what day they were sent or sent to us.

Another problem beyond the inconvenience that we are describing in itself is that both the causes and the solutions of this can be varied. This forces, again, to try your luck one by one and in strict order.

Of course, it is that we have them in a specific series thinking of going from the simplest potential solution to the one that takes a little more time. That said, the only important thing is that Outlook search works.

How to fix Outlook search not working?

Fixing Outlook search not responding won’t take you more than five minutes, so let’s get started.

Run the Search and Indexing Troubleshooter in Outlook

One of the “obvious” solutions is to run the search and indexing troubleshooter, like so:

  • Click the Start button, or press the Windows key, and select Settings
  • In Settings go to System, Troubleshoot, Other troubleshooters
  • Scroll down on the right hand side, go to Search and Indexing and click Run
  • Follow the instructions that are displayed on the screen and wait for the process to be carried out until the end

Once the Search and Indexing Troubleshooter in Outlook reruns the search. Normally the issues should have been fixed, but if not, keep reading the article.

Repair Outlook on Windows 11

Windows 11 can detect and fix problems with Office apps. This includes Outlook, of course. Carrying out a repair should eliminate the errors without losing your save data.

  • Click the Start button, or press the Windows key, and select Settings
  • Select Apps, Installed Apps
  • Type Office in the search field, click on the three-dot menu and select Advanced Options
  • Scroll down on the right side, go to Reset and click the Repair button
  • Follow the instructions that are displayed on the screen and wait for the process to be carried out until the end

An Outlook repair by Windows 11 should be enough, but if not, keep trying.

Check indexing and search locations

You can always check the indexing options and locations to make sure they are correct.

  • Open Outlook and point your cursor to the search box
  • Click on the Search Tools and Indexing Status menu
  • Wait for Outlook to index all the files you have uploaded again
  • Click OK to finish and try again

Rebuild the search index

Another way to fix Outlook search is to manually rebuild the Windows 11 search index. This should eventually get rid of any obstacles getting in the way of your searches.

  • Open the Start menu, type Control Panel and enter this section, select View in Large Icons
  • Click on Indexing Options and Advanced at the bottom of the screen
  • A message will warn you that rebuilding the index may take
  • Click OK that you are willing to wait, and wait for the rebuild to complete

This is usually a very useful tutorial, so test if the searches work as soon as you’re done.

Reset Microsoft Outlook in Windows 11

If you’re still having trouble with Windows 11 search not working, you can reset the Outlook app. A reset deletes the app’s data, so you’ll need to re-enter it and reconfigure the app. Unfortunately, there are cases in which there is no choice but to opt for this definitive solution.

  • Click the Start button, or press the Windows key, and select Settings
  • Type Office in the search field, click on the three-dot menu and select Advanced Options
  • Scroll down on the right side, go to Reset and click the Reset button
  • Follow the instructions that are displayed on the screen and wait for the process to be carried out until the end

Now yes, searches in Outlook should work as well as they always did.

Have you been able to solve Outlook search not working issue in Windows 11?

Exit mobile version