How to Fix Outlook Search not Working Error Code

Summary: The MS Outlook search index is a highly useful function that allows you to find emails and other data quickly, eliminating the need to scroll through hundreds of messages. However, this function may stop working for various reasons. In this write-up, we will explore multiple solutions, including a professional method using the best Outlook PST Repair Tool to fix the Outlook search not working error.

A Brief Introduction to the Outlook Search Function

Outlook’s search box is a powerful tool that helps you find specific information within emails, such as the sender, date, folder, keywords, contacts, tasks, and calendar entries, using search operators. However, users often encounter issues where the search function stops working in Outlook. This problem may arise due to an outdated program, indexing errors, or other system-related issues. Let's move forward and explore various solutions to fix this error.

Methods to Fix the Outlook Search Not Working Error

If Microsoft Outlook is not searching properly, there’s no need to worry. Below, we have outlined several effective solutions. Go through each method and choose the one that works best for you.

Method 1: Update Outlook

1. Open your Outlook account.
2. Go to File >> Office Account.
3. Select the Product Information.
4. Click on the Update Options button.
5. Choose Enable Updates.
6. Finally, click Update Now.

Method 2: Restart Outlook Using Task Manager

1. Open your system and locate the Task Manager.
2. In the Processes section, right-click on Mail and select End Task.
3. Restart Outlook and check if the issue is resolved.

Method 3: Rebuilt Outlook Index

A corrupted index is a common reason why the Outlook search box becomes unresponsive. Follow these steps to fix it:

1. Open Outlook and go to File > Options.
2. Select Search > Indexing Options.
3. Click Advanced and select Rebuild.
4. Click OK to start the process.
5. Restart your system to apply the changes.

Method 4: Modify the Registry to Fix Outlook Search Issues

If the registry key is not set up properly, you may encounter search-related errors. Follow these steps to resolve it:

1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and click OK.
2. In the search bar, enter the following command:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Search

1. In the respective window, right-click on an empty space and select New > DWORD (32-bit).
2. Name the new entry PreventIndexingOutlook and set its value to 0.
3. Click OK and restart your computer.

Method 5: Run the Search Troubleshooter

Microsoft provides a built-in troubleshooting tool to fix search-related issues. You can easily solve the Microsoft Outlook contacts search not working problem with this method. Follow these steps:

1. Open Settings on your system.
2. In the search box, type Troubleshoot, and select it when it appears.
3. Click Run under Search and Indexing.
4. Select all relevant issues, including Outlook search not working.
5. Click Next to run the troubleshooter.

Method 6: Reinstall Outlook

If none of the above methods work, then try to reinstall Outlook.

1. Click the Search icon on the taskbar and search for Apps & Features.
2. Scroll down, locate your Microsoft Office version, and select Uninstall.
3. Remove Outlook completely from your system.
4. Download and install the latest version of MS Outlook.

Method 7: Remove and Rebuild Outlook Search Index

If your Outlook search box is still not working despite everything functioning properly, it may be due to a corrupted index. Try the following:

1. Open Outlook and go to File > Options.
2. Click Search on the left panel.
3. Under the Sources section, click Indexing Options > Advanced.
4. Finally, click Rebuild to restore the search index.

These methods are effective in resolving the Outlook search not working error. However, they do not guarantee a 100% fix. Additionally, if you lack technical expertise, using the manual methods may be challenging. In such cases, we recommend a professional solution that can resolve the issue within minutes. Let’s proceed without any delay.

Method 8: Repair Corrupt PST file

The Outlook PST Repair Tool is one of the best solutions for repairing corrupted and inaccessible PST files, which can also help resolve search-related issues. It offers three scanning modes—Standard, Advanced, and Deep—to ensure comprehensive PST file recovery.

Steps to Repair the PST File:

1. Download and run Outlook PST Repair.
2. Select the PST file, choose the recovery mode, and click OK.
3. Preview the recovered folders and select Save.
4. Choose PST as the saving format.
5. Apply additional features if needed and click OK to start the recovery process. By using this method, you can resolve the Outlook search issue while ensuring 100% data integrity and authenticity.

Conclusion

In this write-up, we have discussed the best solutions to fix the Outlook search not working error. You can try any of the eight methods mentioned above. However, if the manual methods fail or seem too complex, we recommend using the Outlook PST Repair Tool for a faster and more effective resolution. Additionally, this tool can repair PST files without requiring scanpst or any additional applications like MS Outlook.