SharePoint Search Is Not Working: 4 Ways to Fix It

Easy SharePoint Search fixes you should try right away

4 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

SharePoint is a popular collaboration and content management platform used by organizations of all sizes. One of the key features of SharePoint is its search functionality, which allows users to quickly and easily find the information they need.

However, when SharePoint search is not working, it can significantly inconvenience users and impede productivity. This article will examine why SharePoint search may not work and how to fix it.

Why is my SharePoint search not working?

There are several reasons why SharePoint search may not work. Some of the most common causes include:

Other common issues users may face using the service include:

Without much ado, let us show you how to fix this problem. Note that these fixes will work if the SharePoint search is not working for one user, SharePoint 2013 or 2016 search is not working, or if the SharePoint list search is not working.

How do I fix SharePoint search?

1. Start the SharePoint Server Search

2. Use solutions from the KB article

3. Rebuild the Search Index

Note that the rebuild Indexing process might take a long time, depending on the amount of data you have and how complex your environment is.

Also, it’s essential to ensure that the SharePoint servers have enough resources to handle the process; otherwise, it might fail.

4. Check for permission levels

Permission levels in SharePoint determine users’ actions on a site or site collection. These actions include viewing and editing content, creating and managing lists, and managing site settings.

When it comes to search, a user’s permission will affect the results they see on a SharePoint site. Users with higher permission levels will be able to see more search results than users with lower permission levels.

So it would be best if you were sure you have the right access to the search you need.

In conclusion, SharePoint search not working can be a frustrating issue to deal with, but with the right troubleshooting steps, it can be resolved

So let us know if this was helpful in the comments section below.

SharePoint Search Is Not Working: 4 Ways to Fix It#

Why is my SharePoint search not working?#

How do I fix SharePoint search?#

1. Start the SharePoint Server Search#

2. Use solutions from the KB article#

3. Rebuild the Search Index#

4. Check for permission levels#