Quick Info
  • The first thing you should try if Outlook Search is not working is repairing the program.
  • If that doesn't work, run the search and indexing troubleshooter.
  • Another possible solution you can try is rebuilding the search index.
  • If nothing else works, you may have to remove and reinstall Outlook.

Solution 1: Repair Microsoft Office

If your software is out of date, it may have certain bugs and glitches that are preventing the search function in Outlook from working properly. So, the first thing to do is to update Microsoft Office.

  1. Use the Win + R shortcut to open the 'Run' dialog box and then type appwiz.cpl and click on 'OK' or press the 'Enter' key.
  1. In the list of programs, click on 'Microsoft Office' or 'Microsoft 365'. Then click on the 'Change' option at the top.
  1. Click on 'Online Repair' in the pop-up that appears and click on the 'Repair' button. Wait for the process to complete before using Outlook Search again.

Solution 2: Run the search and indexing troubleshooter

  1. Open the Windows Settings page and click on 'Privacy and Security' on the left.
  1. Next, click on 'Searching Windows'.
  1. On the Searching Windows page, scroll down and click on 'Indexer Troubleshooter'.
  1. In the dialog box that appears, click on 'Outlook Search doesn't return results' and click on the 'Next' button. Wait until the troubleshooter has finished running before trying Outlook search again.

Solution 3: Rebuild search index

  1. Open the Start menu or click on the search icon on the taskbar and type indexing options and press the 'Enter' key or click on the tool when it appears.
  1. In the window that opens up, click on the 'Advanced' tab.
  1. Next, click on the 'Rebuild' button.
  1. You will see a message stating that rebuilding the index can take some time. Wait until the process is complete before trying Outlook search again.

Solution 4: Remove Outlook from indexed locations

  1. Open the Indexing Options again and this time click on the 'Modify button'.
  1. Check whether Outlook is present in the list of locations. If it is, click on the checkbox next to it to remove it.

Solution 5: Repair Outlook search using Windows Registry

  1. Open the Start menu, type regedit and click on 'Run as Administrator'.
  1. When the Registry Editor opens, navigate to the following location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search.
  1. Now, right-click on the right side and click on New Dword (32-bit).
  1. Give the new Dword the name, PreventIndexingOutlook, double-click on it, and give it the value 0. Restart your computer.

Solution 6: Check the Outlook Indexing Group Policy setting

If you're using Windows 10 Pro or Windows 11 Pro, you can change the Windows Local Group Policy setting.

  1. Type gpedit in the Start menu or Windows search and click on it to open it.
  1. When the Group Policy Editor opens, click on 'Administrative Templates'.
  1. Next, click on 'Windows Components' and then on 'Search'.
  1. On the right side, double-click on 'Default Excluded Paths' and check whether it is set to 'Not Configured'. Do the same for 'Prevent Indexing Certain Paths'. If it is set to 'Enabled' or 'Disabled', set it to 'Not Configured'.

Things to know

  • The solutions available for fixing Outlook Search depend upon the version of Outlook you are using. Some solutions that work for the classic version of the application may not work for the newer version.
  • You can also try closing and restarting Outlook as well as your PC to try and fix the problem. Additionally, check for Windows Updates and ensure you are not missing out on any updates.
  • If you are unable to get Outlook Search working, consider removing the application and reinstalling it from the Microsoft Store.