“Search is not working” – Search functionality is broken, often due to index issues.

If the search functionality in SharePoint is not working, it is often due to issues related to search indexing, search service configuration, or crawl settings. Below is a comprehensive step-by-step guide to diagnosing and fixing search-related issues in SharePoint.

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Step 1: Identify the Scope of the Issue

Before diving into troubleshooting, determine the extent of the problem:

1. Is search broken for all users or specific users?
   • If some users can search while others cannot, check user permissions.
   • If no users can search, it could be an issue with the search service or index.
2. Is the issue specific to certain sites, libraries, or lists?
   • If search works in one site but not another, it may be related to that site’s settings.
   • If the issue is system-wide, the problem is likely at the farm or service level.
3. What is the error message?
   • No results found? (Possible indexing issues)
   • “Search is not available”? (Possible search service issue)
   • Partial results appearing? (Index corruption or crawl issue)
4. Check if the issue occurs in both modern and classic search experiences.
   • If classic search works but modern does not, it might be a UI issue.

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Step 2: Verify the Search Service Application

SharePoint’s search functionality depends on the Search Service Application (SSA). If it is not running correctly, search will fail.

2.1: Check if the Search Service is Running

1. Go to Central Administration.
2. Click on Manage Services on Server.
3. Look for Search Service and ensure it is Running.
   • If not running, start the service.

2.2: Validate the Search Service Application

1. Go to Central Administration.
2. Click Manage Service Applications.
3. Locate Search Service Application.
4. Ensure that it is created and functional.
   • If missing, you may need to recreate it.

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Step 3: Check the Search Index and Crawl Status

Search results depend on indexed content. If SharePoint hasn’t crawled new data, it won’t appear in search.

3.1: Verify Search Index Status

1. In Central Administration, go to Manage Service Applications.
2. Open Search Service Application.
3. Check the Crawl Log:
   • Look for errors.
   • If the crawl hasn’t run recently, it may need to be restarted.
4. Navigate to Index Reset (Use with caution).
   • Resetting will delete all indexed content and require a full crawl.

3.2: Run a Full Crawl

1. In the Search Service Application, go to Content Sources.
2. Click on Start Full Crawl.
   • This ensures the latest content is indexed.
3. Wait for the crawl to complete, then try searching again.

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Step 4: Ensure the Search Schema is Correct

The search schema defines how content is indexed and retrieved.

1. Go to Search Administration.
2. Click Manage Search Schema.
3. Ensure that required properties (e.g., title, metadata) are included in the search index.
4. If custom columns are missing from search, ensure they are marked as “Searchable”.

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Step 5: Check Permissions on Content

If SharePoint Search is working but does not show expected results, it might be due to permissions.

1. Open the document library or list.
2. Click Library Settings > Permissions for this document library.
3. Ensure that users have Read access.
4. If items have unique permissions, verify they are indexed.

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Step 6: Verify Search Query Rules and Result Sources

Sometimes, incorrect search query rules can block results.

1. Go to Search Service Application > Query Rules.
2. Check if there are any active rules blocking queries.
3. Also, verify Result Sources.
4. If needed, reset settings to default.

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Step 7: Check SharePoint Search Configuration in Site Settings

1. Open the SharePoint site where search is not working.
2. Go to Site Settings > Search Settings.
3. Ensure that search is not restricted.
4. Verify that search navigation is set up correctly.

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Step 8: Clear Search Cache & Restart IIS

If changes have been made but search is still not working:

1. Open SharePoint Management Shell as Administrator.
2. Run the following command to clear the search cache: net stop osearch15 net start osearch15 iisreset
3. Wait for a few minutes and retry search.

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Step 9: Test Search Using SharePoint Query Tool

If search is still not working, use the SharePoint Search Query Tool to test queries.

1. Download the SharePoint Search Query Tool.
2. Connect it to your Search Service Application.
3. Run test queries to see if results are fetched.

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Step 10: Consider Rebuilding the Search Service

If all else fails, you may need to recreate the Search Service Application.

1. Backup existing configuration.
2. Delete the Search Service Application.
3. Create a new Search Service Application.
4. Configure content sources and run a full crawl.

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