Search doesnt work in OneDrive Folder

Question

Hello,

I have indexed Onedrive folder in folder options, All files are synced, but search doesnt work (doesnt find anything). Tried to reset it. Didnt fix. What problem might be? Started happening after upgrade to Windows 11.

Answer 1

Hi @Rytis Vilaniskis 

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum. 

I completely understand how frustrating it can be to encounter issues like this, especially after a system upgrade. Based on my research, many users have reported similar challenges with OneDrive's search functionality after moving to Windows 11. 

Here are some possible reasons and how to fix them: 

1. Windows Search may not index cloud-only files unless Cloud Content Search setting is enabled. 

By default, OneDrive shows file names in File Explorer but doesn’t download the actual files until you open them. This saves space but prevents Windows from indexing the content, causing search issues. To fix this, enable the Cloud Content Search feature so Windows can index and find your OneDrive files. 

Windows > Settings > Privacy & security > Search permissions > enable both Microsoft account and Work or school account options. 
 

Also, disable Files On-Demand in OneDrive settings and choose to Download all files so they are stored locally and indexed properly.  
Click on the OneDrive icon in the Taskbar on the bottom-right corner > Gear icon > Settings > Advanced settings > click on Download all files 

2. OneDrive needs the necessary permissions before it can sync folders. 

In OneDrive settings > go to Sync and backup > Manage backup > ensure the folder is selected 

 

3.If files are only available online (not downloaded), they won’t be indexed. 

Right-click the OneDrive folder > Always keep on this device >This ensures files are downloaded and indexed. 

4.Give Windows permission to index OneDrive files 

Right-click the OneDrive folder > Properties > Click on Advanced in the General tab > make sure that Allow files in this folder to have contents indexed in addition to file properties option is checked.

 

5.Sometimes the folder itself or the index gets corrupted > Rebuild index 

Windows > search for Indexing Options > Advanced > Rebuild 

6.If the search service is disabled, indexing won’t work. 

Press Win + R > type services.msc > ensure Windows Search is running and set to Automatic 

I hope this helps.

---

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".   

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread