You have been trying to index on your outlook for a long time but notice that the outlook indexing is not working correctly on your Windows 11 PC.
Are you worried and frustrated about your situation and can’t find a way out?
If this issue is the case, there is nothing to worry about.
I have been in a similar situation as you, and I have been able to get out of this issue with proper tests and research. So, if you are looking for an ultimate solution to solve your outlook indexing not working problem on your Windows 11 system computer, you are in the right place then.
This post will show you some of the best practical and effective techniques to solve your outlook indexing not working problem on your Windows 11 computer.
Keep reading and precisely follow the instructions.
So, let’s get started to know some methods to fix the outlook indexing not working issue.
Why does Outlook Indexing not Working Issue Occur
Microsoft has already acknowledged the issue. They say Outlook searches provide no results after upgrading to Windows 11. POP and IMAP accounts, for example, will have this problem if their emails and other items are stored locally in PST or OST files.
In Windows 11, many Outlook users reported that they face outlook search or index issues after upgrading Windows 10 to 11.
The outlook users get some annoying problems such as users being unable to search emails, freezing outlook while using, etc.
Microsoft also clear the outlook indexing problem will impact the offline search for data in locally stored OST files for Exchange, and Microsoft 365 hosted accounts. The search index is erased during the Windows update and regenerated later.
You’ve seen the possible potential reason for the outlook indexing or search not working issue on your Windows 11 computer so far. I’ll show you several tested and proven solutions to solve the problem in the next part.
So, let’s dive into the main section to solve the outlook search or index not working issue.
Also, check out our separate post on Outlook Plugins.
How to Fix Outlook Indexing not Working on Windows 11
After acknowledging the Outlook search or indexing not working issue, Microsoft recently officially provided solutions to fix the outlook indexing problem. Also, they are working for permanent solutions.
In the previous section, you’ve seen the possible potential reason for the outlook search not working issues on your Windows 11 computer so far.
This section will show you several tested and proven solutions to solve Microsoft’s outlook search not working problem.
So, let’s dive right in to know the solution for the outlook search or indexing not working issue.
Check out the easiest way to Enable Read Receipts In Outlook.
Here are the steps to fix the Outlook indexing not working issue on Windows 11:
1. Run Windows Search & Indexing Troubleshooter
When you encounter any problem with your Windows 11 system, try to run your problem-related troubleshooter. The troubleshooting method can help you to detect and fix your problem automatically.
So, to solve the Microsoft Outlook search or indexing problem, you can run the Windows Search and Indexing troubleshooter on your Windows 11 system computer.
Follow the steps below to run the Windows Search and Indexing troubleshooter:
- Press the Win + I keys on your keyboard to open the Windows System Settings.
- Click on the Start icon at the left side corner at the taskbar and select Settings app under the Pinned apps to open the System Settings.
- Select System tab on the left side settings menu panel.
- Select Troubleshoot option on the right-side system window.
- Click on the Other troubleshooter’s
- Scroll down and find the Search and Indexing troubleshoot option under the Other
- Click on the Run button to run the Search and Indexing
- Click on the Next button to skip the standard troubleshooting because the troubleshooter needs system administrator permission to detect and fix the problem.
- Click on the Try these repairs as an administrator to troubleshoot your issue as an administrator.
- Click on the checkboxes to select the problems you notice and click on the Next Or,
- Click on the last checkbox if your problem isn’t listed below and click on the Next
- Enter a brief description of your problem in the given box and click on the Next
- Wait a few seconds to detect and resolve the Microsoft Outlook problems.
- After a few seconds, troubleshooting is completed.
- Click on the View detailed information to view the detailed information on the problems.
- Click on the Close button to close the troubleshooter window.
- Try to open Microsoft Outlook again to see whether the problem is solved.
Follow our guide to Fix Outlook Rules Not Working.
2. Verify Indexing Status
You can check or verify the outlook indexing status to ensure your outlook indexing feature is working correctly.
Follow these steps to verify the Outlook Indexing Status:
- Run the Outlook
- Click on the Search
- Click on the Search Tools at the top of the right-side Search menu bar.
- Select the Indexing Status option to open the Indexing Status dialog box.
- After opening the Indexing Status dialog box, you can see the remaining items to be indexed.
- Wait five minutes to complete the indexing if Outlook has not finished indexing.
- Check again to see the indexing status is completed or not.
- Try the following method if the number of items does not reduce.
3. Ensure Windows Search Service is Enable
If your Windows Search Service is disabled, you can face the Outlook app indexing not working problem on your Windows 11 computer.
To fix the Outlook indexing not working issue, you need to ensure your Windows Search Service is enabled and running.
Follow the steps below to ensure your Windows Search Service is Enable and running:
- Press Win + R keys on your keybaord to open the Windows Run
- Type msc in the Run dialogue box.
- Press the Enter key on your keyboard or click the OK button to open the System Services
- Scroll down and find out the Windows Search option under the Name
- Select the Windows Search and hit the Enter key to open the Windows Search Properties
- Click on the Startup type drop-down menu under the General
- Select the Automatic option if the service type is disabled.
- Click on the Apply button to save the changes.
- Click on the Start button to run the service if the service status is stopped.
- Click on the Ok button to exit the window.
4. Configure Indexing Options
You can try to configure the Indexing Options to fix the Outlook indexing not working problem on your Windows 11 computer.
Note: After starting this method, close the Outlook application.
Follow the steps below to configure the Indexing Options:
- Press the Win + S key on your keyboard to open the Windows Search
- Type indexing options and click on search results to open the Indexing Options.
- Click on the Advanced option to open the Indexing Options Advanced
- Click on the File Types
- Scroll down and find the msg extension under the Extension
- Select the msg extension and enable the Index Properties and File Contents option if this option is not selected before.
- Select OK, and then choose Close.
5. Rebuild Search Catalog
To solve the Outlook indexing not working problem on your Windows 11 computer, you can rebuild the search catalog.
Note: After starting this method, close the Outlook application.
Follow the steps below to rebuild the search catalog:
- Press the Win + S key on your keyboard to open the Windows Search
- Type indexing options and click on search results to open the Indexing Options.
- Click on the Advanced option to open the Indexing Options Advanced
- Click on the Rebuild
- Select OK, and then select Close. Image no: 5.5
6. Repair the Microsoft Office Suite
The corrupted Microsoft Office Suite application is one of the reasons to face the Outlook indexing not working problem.
Follow these steps to repair the Microsoft Office Suite apps:
- Press Windows Key + I on your keyboard to open the Windows System Settings App.
- Click on the Windows icon on your taskbar, and then click on the Settings icon under the pinned apps to open Windows Settings.
- Select the Apps tab option from the left side settings menu panel.
- Click on the Apps & features option at the top of the right side screen.
- Click on the apps search bar and type Microsoft Office to find the Microsoft Office application. Or,
- Scroll down and find the Microsoft Office application.
- Click on the Microsoft Office program three-dot menu.
- Select the Modify button to repair the MS Office application.
- Select Yes to confirm to modify the app when the User Account Control window is prompt on the screen.
- Select Quick Repair if you want a quick repair that quickly fixes most issues without an internet connection. Or.
- Select Online Repair to fix all issues with the internet connection. This method takes a little longer.
- Click on the Repair button.
- Click on the Repair button again to start a Quick Repair.
- Wait until the process is complete.
- After completing the process successfully, restart your computer and check whether the error is solved.
- If you still have problems after a Quick Repair, you can select the Online Repair option.
7. Reinstall the Microsoft Office Suite App
The incomplete, corrupted, or faulty application may cause the Outlook indexing issue.
To solve the Outlook indexing not working issue, you first need to uninstall the defective application and then reinstall the application on your PC.
Follow these steps to uninstalling and reinstalling the apps:
- Press Windows Key + I on your keyboard to open the Windows System Settings
- Click on the Windows icon on your left-side corner taskbar, and then click on the Settings under the Pinned apps to open Windows Settings.
- Select the Apps tab option from the left side settings menu panel.
- Click on the Apps & features option at the top of the right side screen.
- Click on the search bar and type your problematic application name to find the application. Or,
- Scroll down and find your application that encounters the runtime error.
- Click on the three-dot menu and select the Uninstall
- Click on the Uninstall button to confirm to delete or remove the app.
- After uninstalling the application, restart your computer if needed and then reinstall the application.
- Run the Outlook application to see whether your issue is solved.
Final Thoughts
In Windows 11, many Outlook users reported that they face outlook search or index issues after upgrading Windows 10 to 11. The outlook users get some annoying problems such as users being unable to search emails, freezing outlook while using, etc.
Microsoft has already acknowledged the outlook indexing not working issue. This post describes the possible causes of the outlook indexing not working problem on your Windows 11 computer.
Here, I demonstrate several tested and proven solutions to solve the outlook indexing not working issues on your Windows 11 computer. You can successfully solve your system’s outlook indexing not working problem by applying these effective methods.
I hope you found this post to be informative. If you found your solution, please let me know which method works for you.
You may also look at other posts if you’re interested in learning more about similar topics.
