Outlook will not find any items in any of the search boxes (email, calendar, people, etc.) unless I run it in Safe mode.  It immediately gives the message 'We couldn't find what you were looking for.' without a delay, even if there is an item with the search phrase visible.

I am running MS Office Standard 2013 on a fresh install of Windows 7 Enterprise SP1 64 Bit.  Indexing Options say Indexing complete with >162,000 items.  I have tried; rebuilding the index multiple times, disabling all Outlook add-ins, installing & reinstalling Windows Search in programs & features, ensuring my user account has proper permissions, and repairing my .pst file.

In either normal or safe mode, the Window Search Email Indexer COM Add-In is unchecked.  If I try to check it and restart, it will not start.  When I do run Outlook in safe mode, it asks me to choose a profile and I select the default that comes up. I do have an exchange server account and am using cached exchange mode.

I can't figure this out and would appreciate any help.

Hi,

I suggest you refer to this article and make sure you have performed the suggested steps:

http://www.msoutlook.info/question/47

If issue still persists, please note this issue may be caused by some malwares, please use your Security Program to scan if there's such software in your PC.

We suggest you use Malicious Software Removal Tool to scan your PC, and remove the malware to check the result:

http://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/malware-removal.aspx

Regards,

Melon Chen
TechNet Community Support

Thank you for the help.  I have performed the steps in the article and scanned for malware. The steps were unsuccessful and there was no malware detected.  I have also scanned with MBAM and SpyBot - no malware present. 

Please let me know next steps.

Hello - is there anyone out there to help or am I on my own or should do somewhere else?

Well after no response, and no solutions on the internet, I have de-installed Office 2013 and gone back to Office 2010 and everything works fine.  Nice Microsoft.  Great way to gain/keep customers.

I have exactly the same fault, same operating conditions and have tried the same remedies.

So here we are 7 months later in July '14 and there is still no response or remedy and I paid a lot of money to update.

Just what are we supposed to do? Please tell me Microsoft.

I have the same issue (same configuration) and search works in safe mode only. ARGH!!!!

Ok here we go.

1. open outlook

2. select inbox

3. press CTRL+SHIFT+F

4. this brings up advance find

5. choose the right attributes + keywords

6. its important that you select where you are searching for the keywords, such as: subject field, sent to, body, etc...

Keep me posted.

AM.

This seems to work.  Issue is why does it work fine using this method but if we use the built in search bar it doesn't?  Thanks for the workaround though.

I'm having the exact same problem, but I'm running Windows 8.1. I've tried everything you have. This only started happening a few months ago. It was working fine before. If you change the scope on the built in search bar to "All Outlook Items" it works. The advanced find workaround also works for me too, but I have to browse and select the root folder and also select search subfolders in order for it to search for messages in the Inbox. Having only Inbox checked won't work. I'm using gmail.

Thanks adrian, it did work. but still the instent search is not working! any solution for that?

Cheers

Hi Folks,

Yep it's dec 2014 and I have the exact same problem...
I'm running Windows 8 and have been using Outlook 2013 since it was first released.
Initially all was well with the search function and then (who knows??? updates, increased size of file, adding email accts ??) the search function stopped working.

I've spent a month researching this to no avail until I found this.

YES IT WORKS IN SAFE MODE...but why????

I'v had this problem for a week. I have an IT department working on it but still nothing. I'm not allowed to install anything like spyware/malware detection. I did have an infestation of some adware a couple of weeks ago. I thought it was all removed but there may be something left. For now I'm still in safe mode so I can search. 

So far:

1 - Removed the adware/malware to the best of by knowledge

2 - Re-Indexed

3 - Uninstalled and re-installed MS office 2010

 

I'v had this problem for a week. I have an IT department working on it but still nothing. I'm not allowed to install anything like spyware/malware detection. I did have an infestation of some adware a couple of weeks ago. I thought it was all removed but there may be something left. For now I'm still in safe mode so I can search. 

So far:

1 - Removed the adware/malware to the best of by knowledge

2 - Re-Indexed

3 - Uninstalled and re-installed MS office 2010

 

• Proposed as answer by JuanAJ Wednesday, August 05, 2015 3:23 PM
• Unproposed as answer by JuanAJ Wednesday, August 05, 2015 3:23 PM

I'v had this problem for a week. I have an IT department working on it but still nothing. I'm not allowed to install anything like spyware/malware detection. I did have an infestation of some adware a couple of weeks ago. I thought it was all removed but there may be something left. For now I'm still in safe mode so I can search. 

So far:

1 - Removed the adware/malware to the best of by knowledge

2 - Re-Indexed

3 - Uninstalled and re-installed MS office 2010

 

• Proposed as answer by JuanAJ Wednesday, August 05, 2015 3:23 PM
• Unproposed as answer by JuanAJ Wednesday, August 05, 2015 3:23 PM

Guys,

I found a better workaround. Go to options->Search and instead of "Current Folder. Current Mailbox when searching for the inbox" select just "current folder" at least the results will show up on the quick search.

Did any find a answer to this?