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After update, Outlook search reports "We're having trouble fetching results from the server..." on every search

Anonymous
2020-05-16T14:19:08+00:00

This Outlook search function was working earlier. I successfully applied KB4556799 and KB4552931 to my v1909 laptop. Since then all of my searches in Outlook 2016 are getting this message. Any thoughts? Is anyone else getting this behavior?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Windows update

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-05-17T20:27:36+00:00

    I went through the suggested set of actions without success, including a full rebuild of the index. My search on Current Folder still receives "We're having trouble fetching results from the server..." error message. Curiously, if I then select All Mailboxes, I get the desired search result.

    30+ people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2020-05-21T08:53:55+00:00

    I have the same problem since the recent update. Rebuilding local index didn't work - no surprise as the problem seems to be at server level. The workaround suggested on this thread is helpful - if I search all mailboxes it works. So to restate the problem:

    * Search function has stopped working on This Folder or This Mailbox and always requires one of two workarounds:

       A - "look on this computer instead"

       B  - change scope of search to All Mailboxes and then server level search works

    Either way - this means that the simple everyday function of looking up an email has become much more cumbersome since Microsoft moved the search box up into the top blue bar. I hope they fix it soon.

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2020-05-21T15:11:26+00:00

    Been doing a lot of reading on this issue.

    PH_442 is right, it does seem related to FAST search. The article he mentions discusses how it works. 

    If you want to read it from a Microsoft site, here it is:

    https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/outlook-global-customer-service/how-outlook-2016-utilizes-exchange-server-2016-fast-search/ba-p/381195

    I'm using Outlook 2016 and a hotmail.com email address. I originally thought the issue began after the w10 May update, but it may have begun with the Office update from 2004 12730.20250 to 2004 12730.20270. My update was done on 05/13.

    I've implemented the registry change to workaround the issue, and it is working for me. The key I added:

    • Key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Search

    • Value name: DisableServerAssistedSearch

    • Value type: REG_DWORD

    • Value: 1

    This registry edit is documented here:

    https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-fix-for-outlook-search-failures-coming-later-today/

    Microsoft still needs to fix the issue.

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2020-05-22T22:36:21+00:00

    Changed my options to search all mailboxes and life is once again less frustrating than it was before the change. Thanks!

    In my world, we call that a “workaround”. Something a user does to get the results they need, even though the software isn’t working properly. This is good to know but should not be misconstrued as a resolution. The application still needs to be fixed.

    4 people found this answer helpful.
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  5. Anonymous
    2020-05-20T20:55:52+00:00

    Same. Only the "all Outlook items" search worked for me. still a hassle

    4 people found this answer helpful.
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