SharePoint Search Not Working – Let’s Find Reasons and Solutions

Microsoft-provided SharePoint is an impeccable collaboration and content management application. Its seamless search capability makes it efficient for users to get the relevant information in the blink of an eye. However, users often encounter difficulties with SharePoint search functionality as per expectation. So, in this article, we will discuss the common reasons behind the SharePoint search not working issue and also provide detailed solutions to address the same.

Overview of SharePoint Search

The Search filter in SharePoint allows users to quickly access the documents, lists, and other required content on the SharePoint site. The search functionality in SharePoint is developed to index and extract the content seamlessly.

However, some factors affect the SharePoint search performance and generate inaccurate results. Whether you are using the latest version of SharePoint or any earlier version, the inefficient results of SharePoint searches can be frustrating. So, let’s find the reasons and their solutions to optimize the search results.

Top 4 Reasons or Their Solutions for SharePoint Search Not Working

1. Search Indexing

One of the prime reasons behind the inefficient search results of SharePoint is Indexing. SharePoint indexes the content and arranges it in a manner so that it can quickly retrieve the results. If there is an issue with the indexing then the search results will be affected. You can identify that there is an indexing issue if, search results are incomplete, or new content is not visible in the search results.

This issue persists because the SharePoint search crawler is not running properly or is misconfigured. It can also occur if the search index is corrupted.

Solution:-

First, of all troubleshoot the SharePoint search issue to identify the working of the search crawler and the search indexer. To do so, go to the Manage Service Applications in SharePoint and monitor the status of the search service. If it does not start then start it to get rid of SharePoint search not working issue and wait to find the errors.

2. Misconfiguration of Search Settings

The search configuration of SharePoint manages how the content is indexed or extracted. Improper search settings can produce inefficient search results. You can examine that the issue is because of the misconfiguration of search settings if results are irrelevant or producing results are too few or too many.

This issue occurs because of improper search query rules or content sources that are incorrectly defined.

Solution:-

Go to the site > site settings. Then under the Site Collection Administration hit Search settings. Now set up the rules as per the user intent.

3. Permissions Issue

There might be the possibility that the SharePoint search not working because of the permissions issue. If you do not have the appropriate permissions then you cannot able to see the search results.

The results are missing because of the incorrect permissions on the content libraries or lists.

Solution:-

Validate the permissions of the document lists and libraries. If the user does not have the appropriate permissions then assign these permissions to the users.

4. Outdated Search Schema

Outdated or incorrectly configured schema can also affect the SharePoint search results. The search schema defines the structure for indexing content and what metadata should be included. It generates the missing relevant information.

Solution:-

Go to Site > Settings. Now under the Site Collection Administration > Search schema. Update the search schema as per the required changes.

Advanced Solutions to Resolve SharePoint Search Not Working

1. PnP Modern Search

It is used to generate enhanced search results for modern SharePoint sites. This web part is compatible with SharePoint 2019 and SharePoint Online. It helps to provide an advanced search experience to the users.

This has multiple features such as:-

• A customizable search box that can be integrated on any page as per requirement.
• Provides refiners to filter out the search results.
• Offers the search suggestions to reduce the time and effort of the users.
• Supports the KQL (Keyword Query Language) and TQL (Full-Text Query Language).
• Provides personalized search experience after integration with the Microsoft Graph.

2. Re-build Search Index Using PowerShell Commands

This approach is quite difficult, but we have simplified this with the explanation of each command. So follow the below commands to resolve the SharePoint search not working issue.

Step 1. Open the PowerShell as Administrator.
Step 2. Now add the SharePoint cmdlets to the current session of PowerShell

Add-PSSnapin Microsoft.SharePoint.PowerShell

Step 3. Stop the Search Service

Stop-SPEnterpriseSearchServiceInstance -Identity Search Service Instance Name

Step 4. Starts Rebuilding the search index.

$searchapp = Get-SPEnterpriseSearchServiceApplication Search Service Application Name

$searchapp.RebuildIndex()

Step 5. Now start the search service

Start-SPEnterpriseSearchServiceInstance -Identity Search Service Instance Name

These solutions discussed above do not provide any surety that the SharePoint data will not be lost. So, it is advised to use the Most Industrial Fit SharePoint Migration Tool.

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This tool can copy document library from one site to another site. You can easily use this tool without any hindrances to shift your data to another account.

Conclusion

SharePoint search not working can frustrate users. There are several reasons behind this issue. All of the reasons along with their solutions have been discussed in detail. Now, you can easily resolve this issue. A suggestion is also given to keep your SharePoint data safe and secure while using the solutions.