You see a “Something went wrong” error when trying to search in Outlook. This error stops you from finding emails, contacts, or calendar items. The problem is often caused by a corrupted search index or a conflict with add-ins. This article explains how to rebuild the index and disable problematic add-ins to restore search.
Key Takeaways: Fixing the Outlook Search Error
- File > Options > Search > Indexing Options > Rebuild: This forces Windows Search to create a new, clean index for your Outlook data.
- File > Options > Add-ins > COM Add-ins > Go: Disabling all add-ins here can identify if a third-party program is causing the search to fail.
- Control Panel > Indexing Options > Advanced > Rebuild: An alternative method to rebuild the index directly from the Windows Control Panel.
Why the “Something Went Wrong” Search Error Appears
Outlook relies on the Windows Search service to index your mailbox contents. When you type a search term, Outlook queries this index for fast results. The “Something went wrong” error typically means the connection between Outlook and this index is broken. The index database files can become corrupted after a Windows update, an Outlook crash, or when your computer runs out of disk space. Another common cause is a malfunctioning Outlook add-in that interferes with the search process. These add-ins run inside Outlook and can sometimes block or crash the search function before it completes.
Steps to Fix the Outlook Search Error
Follow these steps in order. Start with the simplest fix to rebuild the search index.
- Close and restart Outlook
First, close Outlook completely. Check the system tray near the clock to ensure no Outlook icon is running. Then reopen Outlook and try a search. A simple restart can clear temporary glitches. - Rebuild the search index from within Outlook
Open Outlook and go to File > Options. Select the Search category on the left. Click the Indexing Options button. In the new window, click the Advanced button. Under the Troubleshooting section, click Rebuild. Confirm the action. This process can take a long time depending on your mailbox size. - Disable Outlook add-ins
Go to File > Options > Add-ins. At the bottom of the window, ensure COM Add-ins is selected in the Manage dropdown. Click the Go button. Uncheck all boxes in the list to disable every add-in. Click OK and restart Outlook. Test search. If it works, re-enable add-ins one by one to find the culprit. - Repair the Office installation
Close all Office apps. Open Windows Settings via Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Find Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Office in the list. Click the three-dot menu next to it and select Modify. Choose the Online Repair option and follow the prompts. This fixes corrupted program files.
Alternative Method: Rebuild Index via Windows Control Panel
- Open Windows Indexing Options
Press the Windows key, type “Indexing Options”, and select the Control Panel result. - Access Advanced settings
In the Indexing Options window, click the Advanced button. You may need to click Continue or provide administrator permission. - Start the rebuild
Under the Troubleshooting section, click the Rebuild button. Click OK to confirm. Keep your PC on and connected to power until the process finishes.
If Search Still Fails After the Main Fix
If the error persists, the issue may be more complex. Try these additional solutions.
Outlook search returns no results after rebuild
Wait for the indexing to complete. You can check progress in the Indexing Options window. The status bar shows “Indexing complete” when done. Also, verify the Outlook data file is included in the index. In Indexing Options, click Modify. Ensure your Microsoft Outlook mailbox is checked under the list of locations.
Error appears only in a specific Outlook profile
The problem might be with your Outlook profile. Create a new profile via Control Panel > Mail > Show Profiles > Add. Set up your email account in the new profile and test search. If it works, your old profile is damaged. You can set the new profile as the default and delete the old one.
Windows Search service is not running
Press Windows + R, type “services.msc”, and press Enter. Scroll to find Windows Search in the list. Right-click it and select Properties. Ensure the Startup type is set to Automatic (Delayed Start). If the service is stopped, click the Start button. Click Apply and OK.
Comparison of Methods to Fix the Search Error
| Item | Rebuild Search Index | Disable Add-ins | Repair Office Installation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Use Case | Corrupted or outdated search database | Third-party software conflict | Damaged Outlook program files |
| Time Required | Long (hours for large mailboxes) | Short (minutes to test) | Medium (15-30 minutes) |
| Complexity | Low | Low | Medium |
| Data Risk | None (rebuilds index only) | None (add-ins can be re-enabled) | None (online repair is safe) |
| First Step to Try | Yes | Yes, if index rebuild fails | No, try if other methods fail |
You can now fix the “Something went wrong” search error in Outlook. Start by rebuilding the Windows Search index through Outlook’s options. If the problem continues, disable all add-ins as a diagnostic step. For a persistent issue, use the Windows Services console to verify the Windows Search service is running. A final advanced tip is to hold the Ctrl key while clicking the Outlook system tray icon to exit completely, ensuring no background processes interfere with the repair steps.