Outlook is one application that not only helps access your emails but also takes care of your meeting schedules, reminders, contacts, to-do list, and other important information. The search is one feature that you can count on to access any of this information quickly.
Without even realizing, we become so reliant on Outlook search that it can get very annoying when Outlook search stops working. Search can also stop working when Outlook even stops indexing. This could be due to the faulty application or the Outlook data file corrupted. Here is complete information on how to resolve Outlook Not working issue
How Do I Fix Outlook search Problems
Note - If you are wondering how to add or enable the missing Outlook Search Bar, click here.
Follow these steps to repair your Outlook personal folder file (.pst) by using Inbox Repair tool. Step 1 - Exit Outlook and start the Inbox Repair tool Automatically start the Inbox Repair tool. Start the Inbox Repair tool (Scanpst.exe). Then select Open or Run in the File Download dialog box, and follow the steps in the easy fix wizard. For instance, if the cause of the Outlook search problem is a corrupt Outlook data file, you can repair the PST file by using Stellar Repair for Outlook or Inbox Repair Tool (SCANPST.EXE). These utilities can repair PST file and recover the entire mailbox data.
- Get a trial of the tool from its free demo version available online. We promise you the finest and best repair of Outlook PST data with this advanced tool. Some primary solutions to deal with corrupted Outlook profiles are discussed along with the main repair processes.
- Use the following instructions to repair search functionality in Outlook for Mac. These instructions work for Mojave, Catalina, etc: Open System Preferences and then go to Spotlight. Once in Spotlight, deselect (remove the checks from) all checkboxes within the Search Results tab.
To successfully fix the Outlook search problem, follow the given solutions in the given order to fix your Outlook search or indexing problems.
Check the indexing status
One reason why the Search box might not be responding is because Outlook may not have indexed all the mails or items in the data file completely. To check the indexed status follow the steps below.
- Click on the Search tab in the Outlook application.
- Select the Search Tools and click on Indexing Status from the drop-down
- If you don’t see a message stating “Outlook has finished indexing all of your items. 0 items remaining to be indexed”, Wait for few more minutes so that all the items are indexed completely.
Enable Outlook Indexing Option
At times the Outlook might have been removed from the list of Indexing items. In order to check and enable the indexing option here is what you need to do.
- Click on the Start menu, type Indexing Options in the search box and select the displayed option.
Outlook Search Repair Utility Download
- In the Indexing Options dialog box, check if the Microsoft Outlook is listed under Index these locations column
- If Microsoft Outlook is not listed, select Modify, and then click to enable the checkbox next to Microsoft Outlook
- Select OK, and then select Close
Rebuild The Search Index Catalog
Outlook Search Repair Utility Not Working
If Outlook is still stuck at indexing, rebuilding the index catalog is one easy way to overcome this issue.
- Click on the Start menu and type Indexing Options in the search box
- In the Indexing Options dialog box, select Advanced
- In the Advanced Options dialog box, select Rebuild and select OK
Verify if Search Service is Running
Search service is very important for the Outlook search box to function properly. This option will be enabled by default. However, if the Search service is not running follow the steps below to enable it.
- Press Windows+R to open the Run window
- Type services.msc and click OK.
- Find the Windows Search option from the list and double click on it.
- Under the Startup type select the Automatic (Delayed Start) option if it wasn't selected previously.
- The Service status should show Running by default, if not, click the Start button below to start the service.
Fix Outlook Search with Inbox Repair Tool
You might also encounter the search problem if the Outlook data file is corrupted. This is because a damaged PST file cannot be indexed. You may have to use the PST Repair tool to fix the file corruption to use Outlook search. An inbuilt repair tool known as SCANPST can be used to repair the data file. Firstly, navigate to Scanpst location and then run the program
- After launching the application, click on Browse and choose the Outlook data file to be repaired (if you cannot find outlook data file, click on the given link)
- Next, click on Start
- If the tool detected any errors it will be displayed, click on Repair to fix the errors.
In most of the cases, ScanPST repairs any problems with the PST file. But its functionality is limited to minor corruption.
If the inbuilt repair tool doesn’t help you fix the search error, the corruption could be much more severe. If left unchecked, corruption could escalate resulting in the loss of all your important Outlook data. A robust tool such as Remo PST Repair Software not only fixes the corrupt PST file but also ensures all the emails, settings, and other attributes are recovered with the exact folder structure. Download and try the software for free now.
Outlook Search Repair Utility
Repair Outlook Program with Microsoft Inbuilt Repair Tool
If the above-mentioned troubleshooting steps haven’t worked out, there could be a problem with the Outlook program. You can fix this problem by repairing the Outlook with built-in repair utility.
- Open Settings from Start menu and select Apps
- Under Apps & Features choose Microsoft Office Professional and click on Modify
- Choose Quick Repair from the option to repair Outlook
- If your problem still persists, choose Online Repair to fix the program
Conclusion
Outlook Search Repair Utility Not Working Mac
If you have followed the troubleshooting steps mentioned in the writeup, you will definitely resolve the Outlook search problem. If you haven’t been able to solve the issue, kindly let us know your doubts and queries in the comment section below.
11-May-2021: Outlook bug prevents viewing or creating email - A Microsoft introduced a new bug today where some people are Unable to Edit or Create Email Update: Microsoft says they will roll this fix in the next 8 hours. See our friends at Bleeping Computer for a full rundown. When you get it fixed, read our post Why Windows XP was better than Windows 10 for entertainment.
16-Sep-2020: Outlook 'No Default Mail Client' Error: As of 9/16/20 we have reports of CompanionLink giving a 'No Default Mail Client' error on sync. This issue appears to be caused by a bad Outlook/Windows Update. To resolve this issue, please use the steps below to run an Online Repair of Office.Click Here for our full article on this issue.</span>
Outlook 2010/2013/2016/2019/365 Online Repair:
- Open up the Control Panel on your PC (and show All Control Panel items, if necessary) and click on Programs, then Programs and Features.
- Find Microsoft Office 2010/2013/2016/2019 in the list and highlight it. (Selection also say Microsoft Office 365)
- Right Click and select Change.
- Select Online Repair and Continue then follow the prompts.
- After the repair is finished, please restart the PC try the sync again.
- Note: Quick Repair does not fix this issue, you must run the Online Repair as outlined above.
Sometimes Outlook may need to be re-installed or repaired in order to fix certain problems. The problem may have started after upgrading Outlook, installing add-ins, or other possible changes on your system. To repair the Outlook installation follow these steps:
Windows App Store Outlook (Centennial):
Repair:
- From Start select Settings to launch Windows Settings
- From Windows Settings choose Apps. (It might take a few moments for the Apps list to load)
- Find Microsoft Office Desktop Apps on the list and select it.
- Select Advanced Options and in the menu that opens choose Repair.
Re-install:
- From Start select Settings to launch Windows Settings
- From Windows Settings choose Apps. (It might take a few moments for the Apps list to load)
- Find Microsoft Office Desktop Apps on the list and select it.
- Select Uninstall. Once complete reinstall the Office Suite from the Windows App Store.
Quick Repair
Outlook 2010/2013/2016/2019/365:
Repair/Re-Install Outlook 2010/2013/2016/2019/365
- Open up the Control Panel on your PC (and show All Control Panel items, if necessary) and click on Programs, then Programs and Features.
- Find Microsoft Office 2010/2013/2016/2019 in the list and highlight it. (Selection also say Microsoft Office 365)
- Click Change.
- Select Repair and Continue then follow the prompts.
- After the repair is finished, please try the sync again.
Outlook 2007:
- Open Microsoft Office 2007.
- On the Help menu, click Office Diagnostics.
- Click Continue, and then Start Diagnostics.
Outlook 2003:
- Open Control Panel (Start>Settings>Control Panel)
- Select Add or Remove Programs.
- Select Microsoft Office/Outlook
- Click the Change.
- Select the Reinstall or Repair button, click Next.
- Select Detect and Repair.
- Click Install and follow any prompts provided by the repair tool.
CompanionLink RunStart for Outlook
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