Can't search archive outlook 2016

Question

Can't search archive outlook 2016

RemcoJ 1

We are running multiple terminal servers with server 2012 R2 and some run office 2013 and others 2016.

We are having problems with the ones that run office 2016. Search works correctly in the mailbox of the user also the shared mailboxes the uses have. But when a user has a archive coupled it cant be searched. Just nothing happens. When i couple the same archive on a TS with outlook 2013 it works and i can search it.

Tried a lot of things to get it working bu i cant seem to search using outlook 2016 in archives.

3 answers

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Answer 1

Hi @RemcoJ ,

Could this issue be reproduced on all Outlook 2016 client? What's the version of your Outlook 2016(File>Office account>About Outlook), please ensure that you have updated to the latest version of Outlook.

But when a user has a archive coupled it cant be searched

How did you add this archive folder(via adding a .pst file)? And did you test on Outlook 2013 with the same file? If not, it's suggested to use the same file for testing, if the issue could be reproduced on Other Outlook client, it may be related to your file itself, and it's suggested to repair your data file via scanpst.exe tool to check if the issue has any difference.

If the issue only occurred on this specific client, it's recommended to first check your Windows Index (File>Options>Search>Indexing options>Advanced>File types>check if the .pst type is checked). After that, if the issue still exists, we could try to troubleshoot the search and indexing or rebuild the search Index to test if the issue has any difference(File>Options>Search>Indexing options)

If that's not your case or you still need further assistance, please feel free to post back.

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Answer 2

RemcoJ 1

reproduced on all Outlook 2016 client? version of your Outlook 2016

Yes we more TS which run office 2016 on Server 2012 R2. I tried them all with the same account and the same .pst archive file.
Version Outlook 2016 MSO 16.0.4266.1001 64 bit

How did you add this archive folder? And did you test on Outlook 2013 with the same file?.

Add the .pst file in outlook it self File> Account settings> account settings> Data File> Add
We have also still have 1 TS with outlook 2013 running and i tried it with the same account and same .pst file and that works correctly.
Tested 4 different .pst files. Other users that have there own archive that have this problem.

check your Windows Index, troubleshoot the search and indexing or rebuild the search Index.

.ost and .pst are checked in the indexing options.
When i use the troubleshoot link it says it cant find any problems.

Jade Liang-MSFT 9,986 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2021-01-19T09:54:44.5+00:00

Hi @RemcoJ ,
Thanks for your update. According to your description, the issue only occurred on the Outlook 2016 client, I have tried to create and add a .pst file on my Outlook 2016(same version with yours) on Server 2012 R2 for testing, but I could search in it normally, which seems to I couldn't reproduce your issue. In order to further confirm your issue, please try to perform these tests below: Create a new .pst file in your Outlook 2016(File>Open & Export> Import / Export>Export to a file>Outlook Data File (.pst) )
Re-add this .pst file and search in it to check.
If the issue still exists on this file, the issue may be related to the corrupted search index ,and it's suggested to rebuild the search index for testing.
If your issue has any update, please feel free to post back.
RemcoJ 1 Reputation point

2021-01-19T12:51:55.84+00:00

Hi @Jade Liang-MSFT ,

i tried to make a new archive file like you said and added it. But the search isnt working.
I did rebuild the index multiply times. via file - options - search - options for index - advanced and rebuild.

also when i am in outlook and click on the search bar and than choose search tools and choose index status. it just keeps loading and nothing happens there.
When i try this on like 2013 or 2019 it says index XXX files.

i tried this on 3 different TS servers that run windows 2012 R2 with office 2016. As far as i know we dont push any domain policy for this.
We run Exchange server 2013. Does it matter what update is run?
Jade Liang-MSFT 9,986 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2021-01-22T07:36:31.13+00:00

Hi @RemcoJ ,
Thanks for your update. According to your description, the issue could be reproduced on the new archive file, so it may not be related to the file. Considering it only occurred on those specific clients, are there any other differences between those clients and those working clients except the version of Outlook(Such as install any 3-rd party tools or add-ins), in order to avoid the interference of other programs and add-ins, please try to close other programs and restart your Outlook in safe mode to check(Windows + R>type "Outlook.exe /safe">Enter)
Hope that would be helpful to you.
RemcoJ 1 Reputation point

2021-01-25T10:25:22.65+00:00

The terminal servers are the same.

I did try the safe mode before but i had a PST file loaded and search in there does not work.

The archive file that outlook made for me i can search in that file when i start outlook in safe mode.
Jade Liang-MSFT 9,986 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2021-01-29T10:40:26.727+00:00

Thanks for your update, according to your description, due to the file crated in safe mode could work normally, and as I know, the add-ins would be disabled in safe mode, in order to avoid the interference of add-ins and check which add-in cuased it, it's suggested to disable part of your add-ins mannually for testing.(File>Options>Add-ins>COM Add-ins>Go>uncheck the add-ins to test)

If your issue have any update, please feel free to post back.
RemcoJ 1 Reputation point

2021-02-01T12:02:29.697+00:00

i disabled all add-ins and restarted outlook. But still cant search in either of the 2 archives.
In safe mode only the archive that was made by outlook ( not made in safe mode) can be searched.
The added archive file cant still be searched in safe mode or normal with all add-ins disabled.

We are at this moment testing a new Terminal server Windows 2019 on a other domain when we get that all working correctly only solutions seems to be migrate the users to that platform.
Jade Liang-MSFT 9,986 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2021-02-05T10:21:42.723+00:00

Thanks for your update and sorry for mistaking before, I'm still researching for your issue, according to your description now, the new file made by Outlook could be searched and the issue only occurred on these specific files, I'm afraid it may be related to the files themselves. where are these files saved(in a local location or others)? Or we could try to copy this file to a new archive file locally to test if the issue has any difference, which would further confirm if the issue is related to the file itself.
RemcoJ 1 Reputation point

2021-02-08T14:55:02.807+00:00

its all archive files im trying to couple this way.
I tried the file local as on network where it normally is.
if we have to do it for 40+ people that is a lot of work. While if they have to search which isnt that often the safe mode is working. Its a little workaround.
Jade Liang-MSFT 9,986 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2021-02-11T06:30:23.853+00:00

Okay, as I know, there may be many things that would also be disabled in safe mode except add-ins, based on my research, I found a related thread that mentioned the instant search would be disabled in safe mode, which actually was based on windows seach, so I think it may also be related to windows search. I have tried to search a lot about "windows search" and found some related troubleshootings, if you still would like to research this issue, it's worthy referring to this article to check. Hope that would be helpful to you.
RemcoJ 1 Reputation point

2021-02-15T10:17:00.657+00:00

Thank you i will look into that.

Answer 3

I understand you're facing trouble searching for archives in Outlook 2016 on your terminal servers. Here are some steps you can try:

Check Outlook indexing: Ensure indexing is enabled and includes the archive folders.
Rebuild the index: If indexing is not working correctly, try rebuilding it.
Verify archive settings: Double-check the archive connection and include folders.
Check for software conflicts: Temporarily disable add-ins or antivirus software that may conflict with Outlook.
Update Office: Install the latest updates for Office 2016.

If you have any more questions or need more help, just ask.

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Can't search archive outlook 2016

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