Outlook search not working is a common error that many users are facing while using it. In this case, an error message frequently comes up and shows, “Something went wrong and your search couldn’t be completed” or “We couldn’t find what you were looking for”. In all version of Outlook, you might confront this error message because all of them have the same base and that is why the problem arises. When it stops working, it might affect your Outlook account as well. There are multiple degrees of malfunction which you need to contend while dealing with the Outlook search index box.
If you are one of them you are facing the problem in your Outlook account, then this article will help you to solve the issue. Hence, walk through this guideline properly and apply them in order to fix the issue.
Outlook Search Not Working: Rebuild the Outlook Index
Without talking anything rather than fixing the issue Outlook search not working, jump straightly to the procedures section, to resolve the issue.
Method 1: Use the Programs and Features Option
To rebuild the Outlook search index due to Outlook 2016 search not working issue, first, you need to go to the Control Panel option. After that, head over the Programs and then Programs & Features option. Then, scroll down to the option and select Outlook 2016.
Thereafter, select the Change option from the top menu. After that, move to the Quick Repair or Online Repair option. Select the Quick Repair option and then select the Repair option. This way you can rebuild the Outlook index in your Outlook account.
Method 2: Use the Outlook Index Repair Menu Option
If the above process does not help you to resolve the issue, then you need to open the Outlook account. After that, select the File option and then the Options tab. In the Options tab, head over to the Search option. After that, choose Indexing Options from the Advanced option. Lastly, click on the Rebuild option. To confirm the action, click OK to proceed. It will take some minutes to complete the process. When the process gets completed, restart the system and check whether the search option working or not.
Method 3: Check Outlook Index Location
In order to fix the Outlook 365 search not working, double-check that the Outlook is on the list of indexed locations. To perform the action, at first, launch the Outlook and then move to the File option and then go to the Options tab. After that, press on the Search bar and then select Indexing options to proceed further. Then you need to select the Modify option from the Indexing option of the left panel. Then, you need to ensure that there is a check Microsoft Outlook. To confirm the action, click OK to finish the process. After completing the process, restart the system and you are able to search mail through the search box.
Method 4: Fix Outlook Search Using The Registry
Another effective solution to fix the issue is to search mail with the help of the Windows Registry. If it is possible to do that, then this method will work for you.
To perform the action, at first, press the Windows key and R to open the Run dialog box. In the Run box, type regedit and hit the Enter button to launch the Registry editor. After that, press Ctrl+ F key at the same time to open the search menu. Next, copy the command which is mentioned in the section below and paste it in the registry key
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search
When you get this, go to the right panel of the window and then choose New Dword which is 32 bits and assign the value as 0. When the process gets completed, restart the system and check the status of the error message.
Method 5: Update Microsoft Office 2016
Sometimes, an outdated version of Microsoft outlook is responsible for the error message. Hence, you need to update the Microsoft Outlook on a regular basis. To update it, launch the Outlook on your system and then move to the Office Account option. After that, check Update options under the Product information. Meanwhile, select the Update Now option. It will automatically check if there is an updated version available or not. If yes, then download the fresh version and install it on your system. If no update is available then, restart the system and check the Outlook search not working gets resolved.
Method 6: Repair Outlook Personal Folder File (.PST)
The problem might occur due to damaged registry files. If you have any backup files in the registry files then, you can restore them and this will help you fix the issue. Hence, you need to keep a backup file of your current registry files before changing anything. Therefore, take a look at the steps that are stated underneath.
- Initially, launch the Run dialog box by pressing Windows key and R together.type, regedit in the Run box and hit the ENter button to open the Registry Editor. After that, move to the HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Windows\Applnit_Dlls.
- Now, double-click on the LoadApplnit_Dlls and then insert the value from 1 to 0.
- When the process gets completed, click the OK button to save the changes.
- Lastly, close the Registry Editor window and restart the system.
Now, check if the Outlook 2016 search not working problem gets resolved or not.
Method 7: Reinstall the Microsoft Outlook
After updating the Microsoft Outlook, if the error message pops-up then, the only way left is to uninstall the Outlook application and install it again with the fresh version. To uninstall the Microsoft Outlook, at first, navigate to the Control Panel option and then, select Programs and Features option. When you open the option, you will find a list of the installed application on your system. Search the Microsoft Outlook application from the list and right-click on it. A drop-down menu will appear on the system screen. Select the Uninstall option from the list. It will automatically remove the Outlook application from your device.
Then, visit the official website of Microsoft and search the fresh version of Outlook. Download it and install on your system. Launch it on your device and access your account by entering your login id and password. Lastly, make sure that Outlook is functioning properly.
On the Whole
Well, in the above section, we have provided some effective and easy ways to resolve Outlook search not working on your Outlook account. Follow the instructions properly and apply them in a step-by-step manner to fix the issue immediately. Hope the discussed process will help you and the Microsoft Outlook will back to your normal working condition as soon as you finish the procedures. If you want this type of technical article, you can feedback in the comment section below.
