Outlook search not working in Windows 10

Microsoft Outlook is a powerful tool for managing email, calendars, tasks, and more. However, if you’re using Windows 10 and suddenly find that Outlook search is not working, it can seriously impact your productivity — especially when you’re trying to locate that one important email or attachment.

This guide will walk you through the most common causes and proven solutions to fix Outlook search problems in Windows 10.

🧾 Common Symptoms of Outlook Search Issues

You may be experiencing one or more of the following:

• Search returns no results, even when the item exists

• Search bar is grayed out or unresponsive

• You receive the message: “Something went wrong and your search couldn’t be completed“

• Partial results show, but not all expected emails

• Search is slow or laggy

Let’s explore how to fix these problems step-by-step.

✅ Fix 1: Check Outlook Indexing Status

Outlook relies on the Windows Search service. If emails are not indexed correctly, they won’t appear in search results.

How to Check:

1. Open Outlook

2. Click File > Options > Search

3. Click Indexing Options

4. Ensure Microsoft Outlook is listed and selected

5. Click Advanced > Rebuild to restart the indexing process

Note: Rebuilding the index may take time, especially if you have a large mailbox.

✅ Fix 2: Enable Search Indexing for Outlook

Sometimes Outlook is not included in the Windows indexing list.

Steps:

1. Open Control Panel > Indexing Options

2. Click Modify

3. Check the box next to Microsoft Outlook

4. Click OK and restart your PC

✅ Fix 3: Use the Search Troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in troubleshooter for search and indexing.

Steps:

1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot

2. Click Additional troubleshooters

3. Choose Search and Indexing > Run the troubleshooter

4. Follow the prompts and check the box that says Outlook Search isn’t returning results

✅ Fix 4: Update Office and Windows 10

An outdated Office installation or Windows 10 build can cause search glitches.

Update Steps:

• Open any Office app > File > Account > Update Options > Update Now

• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for Updates

✅ Fix 5: Repair Outlook or Office

If the issue persists, you may need to repair the Outlook application.

Repair Steps:

1. Go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features

2. Find Microsoft Office, right-click, and select Change

3. Choose Quick Repair first. If that doesn’t work, try Online Repair (requires internet)

✅ Fix 6: Reset Windows Search

For more stubborn issues, you can reset Windows Search with PowerShell.

Steps:

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator

2. Run the following command:

3. Restart your PC

⚠️ Tip: Always back up your system or create a restore point before making advanced changes.

✅ Bonus Tip: Try Outlook’s Advanced Search

If regular search is acting up, use the Advanced Find feature:

• Press Ctrl + Shift + F in Outlook

• Use filters like “From,” “Subject,” or “Date” for precise results

🧠 Final Thoughts

When Outlook search isn’t working in Windows 10, it’s often due to indexing errors, outdated software, or minor system glitches. Fortunately, most of these issues can be resolved quickly with the steps above.

If the problem persists, consider contacting Microsoft Support — or temporarily switching to Outlook Web App as a workaround while you troubleshoot.