Can't search terms in groups

Hi, I found a workaround. The best way is to add a group (or all groups) to Favorites. Then the group can be accessed from the "Mailbox" tab under the "Favorites" section, where search is possible. It seems that on the Groups tab, the dropdown on the left side of the search box does not appear, which prevents the search from initiating. I hope this helps everyone, and please, Microsoft, fix this.

I have several users reporting the same issue. I have tried everything listed in Sophie's post below and no luck.

One workaround has been to revert back to "Classic Outlook" (via "Help" in the ribbon). Classic Outlook still allows users to search in groups, even when New Outlook and outlook.office.com do not.

Issue is still occurring

Tested and confirmed Kamil's bandaid fix worked, thanks for that

Dear Rabia,

I hope you're doing well. I just wanted to check in and see if the issue has been resolved.

If you're still facing any problems, please feel free to share more details about the current error or steps you're stuck on—I’ll be happy to assist further.

Looking forward to your update.

Best regards,

Sophie N - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Dear Rabia, 

Thank you for contacting us and sharing the details of the issue you are experiencing with searching within your Outlook Groups. 

I understand how important it is for you to be able to search your Groups efficiently, and I’m sorry to hear that the search bar is not responding as expected, despite working fine in your inbox. 

Based on your description, this kind of issue often relates to how Outlook integrates with the Windows Search Index, or it may be caused by temporary glitches in the application. Here are some steps that usually help resolve this problem: 

1. Ensure Outlook is included in the Windows Search Index: 
   Sometimes Outlook folders, including Groups, may not be properly indexed, which prevents search results from appearing. You can check and adjust this in Outlook under File > Options > Search > Indexing Options.
2. Completely close and restart Outlook: 
   Simply closing the window might not fully exit the app. Please try to close Outlook entirely and then reopen it to refresh the search function.

You may find these Microsoft resources helpful: Troubleshoot Outlook for Windows issues - Microsoft Support "

1. Run the Windows Search Troubleshooter: 
   Windows has a built-in troubleshooter for search and indexing issues. Running this tool can automatically detect and fix problems affecting Outlook search.
2. Rebuild the Search Index: 
   If the search index is corrupted, rebuilding it can restore proper search functionality. This can be done via the Windows Indexing Options in the Control Panel.
3. Update and Repair Office: 
   Make sure your Office apps are up to date. Additionally, running a Quick Repair from Control Panel > Programs > Microsoft Office can fix any underlying issues.

Repair Outlook App 
Sometimes the issue might be with a corrupted Outlook application. You can repair it via the Control Panel: 

• Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features.
• Locate Microsoft Office in the list.
• Right-click on it and select Change.
• Choose Quick Repair (or Online Repair for a deeper fix if the quick one doesn’t resolve the issue).

Rebuild the Outlook Index 
Since re-indexing didn’t solve the problem, ensure that it’s being done properly: 

• Go to File > Options > Search.
• Under Indexing Options, click on Advanced.
• In the Advanced Options window, click on Rebuild.
• Wait for the index to rebuild (this might take some time depending on the size of your mailbox).

Verify Indexing Status 

After rebuilding, check if Outlook is still indexing: 

• Go back to Indexing Options (as described above).
• Click on Indexing Status to see how many items are remaining to be indexed. If there are a significant number of items left, allow more time for indexing to complete.

Run Windows Search Troubleshooter 

If rebuilding the index does not help, use the Windows Search Troubleshooter: 

• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters.
• Select Search and Indexing, then click on Run the troubleshooter.

Enable Cached Exchange Mode 
Cached Exchange Mode allows Outlook to keep a local copy of your mailbox, which may enhance the search functionality: 

• Go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
• Select your email account, then click Change.
• Make sure Use Cached Exchange Mode is checked.

Turn Off Faulty Add-ins 
Add-ins can sometimes interfere with Outlook's search function. Try disabling them: 

• Go to File > Options > Add-ins.
• Select COM Add-ins from the drop-down and click Go.
• Uncheck any non-essential add-ins and click OK.
• Restart Outlook and test the search functionality again.

Clear Cache and Cookies (for Web Version) 

If using Outlook on a web browser, clear your browser’s cache and cookies: 

• Open browser settings and find options for clearing browsing data.

Repair Outlook Profile 

Creating a new Outlook profile can sometimes resolve persistent issues: 

• Close Outlook.
• Open Control Panel and select Mail > Show Profiles.
• Click on Add to create a new profile and set it as default.

Registry Fixes (Advanced) 

If you are comfortable making changes in the registry, you can try this fix: 

• Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
• Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows.
• Right-click in the right pane, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, name it PreventIndexingOutlook, and set its value to 0.

If after trying these steps the issue persists, it might be related to a recent update or a known limitation affecting search within Groups on the Outlook desktop app. In such cases, using Outlook on the web (OWA) can serve as a temporary workaround while Microsoft works on a fix. 

I hope this helps resolve your problem, but if the issue persists or you need further assistance, feel free to follow up! 

Please understand that our initial response may not always resolve the issue immediately. However, with your help and more detailed information, we can work together to find a solution. 

Appreciate your patience and understanding and thank you for your time and cooperation. Have a great day! 

Best regards, 

Sophie N - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist