Microsoft Outlook is a powerful email management tool used by millions worldwide. And the search feature in Outlook can be a lifesaver, saving you from having to scroll through hundreds of emails to find something. However, sometimes you may experience a frustrating issue “No Results Found” when attempting to search for emails or contacts within Outlook. Several users report, Outlook Search not working or No results found when using search in Outlook. Various factors cause Outlook search stop working, corrupted Outlook data files, incomplete indexing, outdated software, or conflicts with third-party add-ins are common. This article explores various troubleshooting steps to resolve the “No results found when using search” error in Microsoft Outlook 2016.
Outlook search not working
The “No results found when using search” error typically occurs when Microsoft Outlook is unable to index or search through the mailbox effectively.
The most common reason for Outlook search problems is a corrupted search index. This index helps Outlook locate items quickly, and if it becomes corrupted, it can lead to search failures.
A damaged Outlook profile can also cause search problems. Issues with the profile settings or configuration may prevent Outlook from indexing or searching items effectively.
Outlook relies on the Windows Search service to perform searches efficiently. If this service is not running or encounters errors, Outlook’s search functionality may be affected.
In some cases, an excessively large mailbox size can impact Outlook’s search performance. Managing mailbox size and archiving older items can help improve search results.
Third-party add-ins installed in Outlook can sometimes conflict with its search functionality, leading to issues like “No results found.”
First of all, make sure Outlook is updated, and you have installed the latest updates. Go to File > Office Account > Update Options > Update Now. After that, restart Windows and check the problem “Outlook search not showing old emails” is fixed.
Check Windows Search service running
Outlook relies on the Windows Search service to perform indexing and search operations. If the Windows Search service is not running or encountering issues, Outlook may experience difficulties in searching for items. Ensuring that the Windows Search service is running and configured correctly ensures smooth operation of Outlook’s search functionality.
- Press Windows key + R, type “services.msc”, and press Enter.
- Here scroll down Locate the “Windows Search” service
- Check and make sure it’s running state, If not, right-click and start.
- Also, double-click to open Windows search properties, and check the startup type automatic.
- Now restart Windows and check the problem “Outlook search not finding all emails” resolved.
Rebuild Search Indexing
Outlook relies on indexing to quickly search through emails and other data. If indexing is incomplete or encountering errors, Outlook may not be able to find search results effectively. Rebuilding the search index can resolve issues related to incomplete or corrupted index files.
If the issues is still present after you have installed the latest build, you might have to launch Indexing Options to fix the issue completely:
- Close Outlook (if running) and open Control Panel.
- Search for “Indexing Options” and open it.
- In the Indexing Options window, click on the “Advanced” button.
- In the Advanced Options window, click on “Rebuild” under the Troubleshooting section.
- Confirm the action and allow Outlook to rebuild the index. This process may take some time depending on the size of your mailbox.
- Allow Outlook to rebuild the index completely before attempting to search again.
By initiating a rebuild, Outlook creates a fresh index of the mailbox data, which can correct any discrepancies or errors in the existing index, thus improving search accuracy and performance.
Modify Indexing options
This is another effective solution you must apply to fix Outlook search problems.
- Open Microsoft Outlook Click File, then options
- Select Search then Indexing options. Now click on the Modify button.
- Now deselect the Microsoft Outlook radio button. Click OK and exit Microsoft Outlook.
- Now restart outlook and again select Microsoft Outlook from the Indexing locations.
- In most cases, this resolves the indexing issues in searching mails from various folders.
Disable Add-ins
Third-party add-ins can sometimes conflict with Outlook’s functionality, including search. Disabling add-ins helps identify if any of them are causing the search problem. By isolating the add-in responsible for the issue, users can either update repair or uninstall it to restore normal search functionality.
- Open Microsoft Outlook Select File > Options
- Choose “Add-ins” on the left pane. At the bottom of the window, ensure the “Manage” drop-down has “COM Add-ins” selected, then select the “Go…” button
- Uncheck the boxes next to all third-party add-ins to disable them.
- Click “OK” and restart Outlook to apply the changes. Test the search functionality to see if the issue persists.
If the problem resolves after disabling add-ins, enable them one by one to identify the culprit.
Repair Outlook Data Files
Corrupted Outlook data files (PST or OST) can lead to various issues, including search problems. Using the Inbox Repair Tool (scanpst.exe) allows users to scan and repair corrupted PST files, ensuring that Outlook can access and search through mailbox data without errors.
Note: Back up the outlook .pst file before performing the following steps below.
To Run Inbox Repair Tool, close Outlook (if running) and go to
- Outlook 2016: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16
- Outlook 2013: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15
- Outlook 2010: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14
- Outlook 2007: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12
- Look for the SCANPST.EXE file double click to run the Tool.
- Click Browse and select the PST file that you want to repair and Click on the Start button.
- This will take some time to analyze and complete the repair process ( it depends on the size of the Outlook PST file.)
- After that restart Windows and check Outlook search working properly.
Note: Outlook PST file mostly located C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook
Update Outlook
Software updates often include bug fixes, performance improvements, and compatibility enhancements. Updating Outlook ensures that any known issues affecting search functionality are addressed by installing the latest patches and updates provided by Microsoft.
- Open Outlook Go to the “File” tab and click on “Office Account”.
- Click on “Update Options” and then select “Update Now”.
- Outlook will check for any available updates. If updates are found, they will be downloaded and installed automatically.
- Restart Outlook to apply the updates.
Re-create Outlook Profile
A corrupted Outlook profile can lead to various issues, including search problems. By creating a new Outlook profile and configuring the email account afresh, users can eliminate any profile-related issues that may be causing the search problem. This step essentially provides a clean slate for Outlook to function without any profile-related conflicts.
- Close Outlook if it’s open. Go to the Control Panel on your computer, Search for “Mail” or “Mail (32-bit)” and open it.
- In the Mail Setup window, click on “Show Profiles” Select your current Outlook profile and click on “Remove”.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to remove the profile.
- Once the profile is removed, click on “Add” to create a new Outlook profile and configure your email account.
Reinstall Outlook
If all other troubleshooting steps fail to resolve the search issue, reinstalling Outlook can be a last resort. Reinstalling Outlook ensures that any corrupted or missing files related to the application are repaired or replaced. This step essentially provides a fresh installation of Outlook, which can often resolve persistent issues that are not fixed by other means
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