Fix Broken Finder Search Forever!

Finder Search Not Working? Here's How To Fix Finder Search in about 20 seconds!
Get finder search working the way it's supposed to by resetting the spotlight index. It sounds confusing & complicated, but it's actually really simple.
This video tutorial walks you through how to fix finder search & reset the spotlight index
#findersearch #mactutorial #spotlightsearch #macos

[@user-jm8hp4ue1w]

Only adding to the chorus here... took me way too long to figure out the fix for my broken finder search until I found your video. Easy to follow and worked like a charm. THANK YOU!

[@bebopjazz1972]

Thank you so much for the quick fix. I'm just getting back into the Mac World and all these little problems I keep running into are driving me crazy. Thankfully there are knowledgable people like you out there that can help us newbies.

[@semirdzhyan]

Been running into this issue since January 2024. Finally found your video to address it and before I could, noticed it started working again. . . Your video is magic.

[@ZiljianPacific]

I can't thank you enough. My work computer always pulls up random files from the work system I would never use and rarely shows the files that Im working on. It has been the most frustrating thing and I thought it was hopeless. This instantly fixed my issue and even with my work computer locked down with administrative permission to make changes, I was able to do all of your steps easily without issue!

[@SignatureEdits]

RIGHT?! So. ANNOYING. Haha. Glad it helped you out!

[@JohnJones-bq6jm]

This has been a MAJOR problem for me. Thank you!

[@SignatureEdits]

So glad! Thanks for the comment :)

[@Lucymarianne]

Thank you! I knew about the "add and remove" thing but it didn't work until I added the WHOLE thing like you said. Really appreciate this.

[@breimozconsultoria824]

Exactly, that wasn't clear or mentioned in Apple site groups or guidance

[@djnoizemusic]

Saved my life! Thank you

[@SignatureEdits]

Glad it helped!

[@IllusionSector]

@@SignatureEdits On my end this and other solutions (e.g. system restart) only work for a short while and then stop working again. Any thoughts? This is driving me absolutely crazy and I can't get anything done.

[@IllusionSector]

@@SignatureEdits Even when it works, if I just leave the search results alone they would suddenly disappear on their own.

[@SignatureEdits]

Sadly I don't have any other ideas! I've had the same thing... search is way better for a while but then gets funky again. But going in and resetting it doesn't take too long so that's what I do! @@IllusionSector

[@mariodavin5015]

Been puzzled by this problem for several months. Finally I found this, and it works. Thank you!

[@TigerCrew85]

Finder would only search "This Mac" but not any sub folders. I tried your fix, and it worked!!! THANK YOU!!

[@juanitaabii9462]

Spent hours on the phone with Apple today and they couldn't figure this out! 🥴 Your video solved the problem in less than a minute. Thank you!

[@Zimmikhan80]

Thank you just purchased the new mac book air and it wasn't finding files in search bar from my external hard drive connected, was going crazy until i tried this and it worked and now it finds all the files when i search for them... thank you so much for this quick solution

[@SignatureEdits]

So glad it helped!

[@ericcoopersomatics]

I have been hobbling along for a couple of years without this working. Now it does! Thank you!

[@SignatureEdits]

YES! Glad it worked

[@vl4781]

Such simple steps to sort out a problem that really bugged me, thanks

[@alexandermckoy6444]

Yes, you solved my big issue! I have been having that searching pain for a year! Some of the readings on web did not help, until I search KZbin to find your help! It fixed the search results in just a few seconds - Gee, you make this a beautiful day!❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉😊😊😊

[@miguel0226]

Thank you! this is helpful! I have been looking an answer / fix to this annoying issue. I bought another Mac, a MacBook Air M3 that I always carry around at work. With the MacBook Pro I could easily breeze through the files with a simple search button but with MacBook Air, I found that I could not search anything except on Macbook Air itself. I even thought of just resorting to carrying my MacBook Pro with me instead of MacBook Air but I found with portability-wise, MacBook Airs are the best with the workflow I have. I just could not find the answer to the problem. I tried almost everything, reset, hard reset, created another user (as I found in one of the suggestions), etc. etc. Then I found this and watched the video and it worked!! Thanks for this. 🥰 love you! 🤣❤

[@AnietieAkpan]

After I tried it today, your solution worked for me - having had the problem for weeks. Thank you!

[@SignatureEdits]

Awesome! Glad it workedb

[@nickjr2189]

Thank you so so much!!!!!! As a preservice teacher in ELA 7-12, I have large files for my content area and create curriculums. I search a lot in finder, and it doesn't show up in finder on my M1 iMac or M2 Macbook Air. Now thanks to you, I can find them again. You have earned a subscription.

[@prijackcastro]

This bug is very annoying, I've been looking for a solution for a long time and here it is, just a 5 minutes, simple and effective. Thanks!

[@estherbreit5682]

Just got a new 2023 MacBook Pro M2 - worked great!! Thank you so much.

[@geoffrey6672]

MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021) MacOS Montrey, it worked !!!! thank you !!

[@SignatureEdits]

Great! Thanks Geoffrey!

[@saseen]

Brilliant! I was getting so frustrated with this problem. It fixed like magic. Thanks Buddy🙂👍

[@SignatureEdits]

No problem 👍 Glad to hear!

[@jameskeegans5764]

Thank you!!! This bug was so frustrating. Slightly different setup under System Settings on Ventura 13.0. But quick and easy to do.

[@levelupfinanzas]

Thank u so much!, I've been suffering for months cause this didn't work in my brand new macbook, but now it's fix.

[@powellfilmmaking]

Ah. Thank you so much. SUPER annoying when mac can't do simple tasks

[@SignatureEdits]

Right?! So crazy. Glad it helped!

[@todivetoday]

Thank you. Very short and to the point. And yes, it worked in my case (MBP M3 16") Cheers

[@SignatureEdits]

You're welcome!

[@abhishekk059]

I really got frustrated with this issue, everytime I was restarting my macbook to use search in finder. But man your video really helped, thank you so much!

[@bryanweb]

Works a a treat after YEARS of not being able to find files! Thanks!

[@freshprinceyuup]

bro you are life saver just transferred all my files to a new mac and thought stuff got deleted. Then I tested a file I knew the exact name of and was like wait a minute. This helped me out!

[@jasperstehouwer8898]

had this problem for over 2 years i think, finally great to know that it can be easily fixed! thanks!

[@ChristopherTalbot-w7n]

Extremely helpful. This has been driving me crazy and your fix worked instantly so thank you very much.

[@taylordoyle5054]

God bless you! Worked on my MacBook Pro 2021 using Mac OS Ventura 13.4

[@SignatureEdits]

Glad to hear it! Thanks Taylor

[@timheller]

Menus are slightly different due to Mac updates, but the process works! Thank you.

[@SignatureEdits]

Glad it helped!!

[@candicepelser4838]

Fantastic. Thank you for the quick and easy answer!

[@fionnualashenpen2458]

Yes this worked! My problem was not that nothing would appear but finder would be full be full of a long list of files mainly books in my library that were not the precise file name I typed in. The precise file name could appear way down the list. I'm on an M1 2020 running Sonoma 14.0. There was a slight difference in systems preferences Spotlight and Siri are listed together, but I could follow the instructions and they worked! Thanks - I had just accepted that as an unfixable thing about my MAC! delighted that finder search is working properly

[@davidfitcher2953]

I've been struggling with this for almost a year, Thanks a lot bro!

[@SignatureEdits]

No problem! Glad it helped

[@qasfraj]

OMG ... even apple chat couldnt fix recents smart folder being empty.. this got it fixed .. thanks alot .. u saved me from reinstalling the macos

[@SignatureEdits]

Crazy! Glad this saved you the trouble :)

[@arielrglaze]

Is it just me, or the Apple support page is just pure garbage.. the kind of stuff that makes you wonder if Windows users ever deal with that.

[@MichaelDavidWiller]

You are a goddamn hero! Mac had automatically put my external HDD in this Privacy list without my realizing it and this solved my issue. Thank you!

[@sherrystofkocapricornhealt9071]

OMG - thank you. How annoyed I have been for 5 months, till I found your video. Worked great on my MacBook Pro 2023, Sonoma 14.2.1. THANK YOU!!!!!

[@GoldenNinja3000]

Thank you, this finally worked!! I haven't been able to search in my Downloads folder for a week and kept trying to re-index just that folder like other guides online have suggested. Re-indexing my entire disk finally did the trick!

[@djsevennj]

the best video on KZbin that gives a good explanation about spotlight... Thank U 🏅

[@jackblah5842]

Ventura 13.3.1 I don't know exactly when my search quit working but it was beginning to drive me crazy. Such a simple fix, Thank You

[@LasseNørager-b8y]

Worked just as described, also on search in Finder! MacBook Pro M3, mac OS Sonoma 14.4.1

[@xnutnut97x]

Thank you so much have been struggling with this for months, I have so many files and need to find them fast and it wasn't working in any folder.

[@SignatureEdits]

So glad it helped!

[@johnsteach3962]

Fixed my MacBook Pro 2023 M2 13" in seconds! It also fixed my Outlook search not working that I have spent hours trying everything I could find under that issue. I wish I would have started here!!!! You need to index this for fixing a broken Outlook search on Macs as well.

[@paknotaris7518]

Did the trick for me too. Thank you very much for posting this.

[@cabofalcone]

Worked perfect on Catalina! Thank you!

[@zaycoleandroify]

Very helpful! Thank you soooo much! You saved my life!🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@BrianRodgersJr]

Awesome, thank you! Works on an M1 Ultra Mac Studio! This was driving me crazy

[@john82keys]

Thanks bro!!! And to think, two weeks ago I got my iMac back from Genius bar (using AppleCare) due to user experience issues. Thanks a lot. Thumbs up.

[@OriginalLoudTree]

I've been looking for this fix -- it seems like forever. I worked perfectly on Mac mini M2 Pro running Sonoma 14.4

[@SignatureEdits]

awesome!

[@LStokesEsq]

It worked on my MacBook Air ! Thank you! 🎉

[@SignatureEdits]

Great! Glad to hear :)

[@amilcar82]

OMG I've tried looking for an actual solution for months!! Thanks dude!!

[@georgejurukovski]

IT WORKED :) Thank you so much!

[@philosopherprince339]

Worked. I had to re find my hardrive to place it on the favorites window.

[@Vero-D]

Thank you! It was driving me nuts trying to figure out why Finder search was not working. You solution worked on a MBP 2021, running Sonoma 14.1.

[@user-jz3hd7qg3f]

I have the same problem with the search but it does find files that are located on my mac but not files that r located on my remote drive. I have tries your fix and it didn't work (and not while using safe mode). can you help?

[@fourex59]

You must delete the external drive if it shows up in the preferences pane with the minus sign. Once it is not there or if it wasn’t there to begin with, then hit the plus sign locate the external dive as an additional location to search. That should take care of the problem.

[@IfWeGoTo]

THANK YOU!!! This will save me so much time!

[@SignatureEdits]

You're welcome!

[@collinsvisual]

Thank you! This worked on my 16" 2019 MBP running MAC OS SONOMA 👍🏾

[@user-hg4oh7ix6g]

Thanks, much appreciated. I couldn't search my OneDrive files in finder (Ventura 13.4.1) - follow your steps and it's now working perfectly.

[@jaspercook5090]

Brilliant! Worked on Ventura 13.2.1

[@SignatureEdits]

YES!

[@johnniepeyton]

Thanks so much! Worked for me. M2 Macbook Air 2022 running Ventura 13.4

[@sum254]

Having the same problem for months. Glad to come cross your video. Thank you!

[@matheuscschneider]

Man! You're a life saver. Thanks a lot for this. You've earned a new subscriber.

[@SignatureEdits]

Thanks for the sub!

[@koodka]

OMG , thank you very much. You cannot believe how much I tried to fix this issue to no avail until I found this video. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.

[@SignatureEdits]

HURRAY! Glad it helped you Yasin!

[@DomingoMontesdeoca-te1ih]

Thanks, my spotlight now goes super fast, it used to take a long time before it would take a long time to remove and search for something.

[@forktongue]

Thanks, the search function is useful again!

[@SignatureEdits]

HURRAY!

[@JekabaKapnes]

Still working perfect on Sonoma 14.3.1! Many many thanks!

[@leopoelstra]

thanks! worked! don't get why a 5min video for a 20sec fix. everyone just fast-forward to 2:00. Cheers.

[@DavidAKZ]

Brilliant - thanks. Indexing got corrupted when I synced some folders with Google drive.

[@nikittyworkshop]

Thanks! This worked for my 16" macbook pro.

[@SignatureEdits]

Great!

[@martinadamsson3028]

Worked really good on Ventura 13.3.1 (MacBook Pro). Thanks! and like 332 is my hit ;)

[@JohnPace-ty7dg]

This was super helpful! Great presentation!

[@nickteoh5089]

Works on Mac Studio Ventura 13.4.1 Many thanks, brother.

[@vsjha18]

Superb !! This works ! And let me tell you, this is the only trick which works.

[@SignatureEdits]

Happy to help!

[@tp3176]

great! worked for my external HD, thanks !

[@SignatureEdits]

Glad it helped!

[@petermller9857]

Thanks;-) Solved my problem on Mac Air M2 2022 with Ventura 13.3.1

[@SignatureEdits]

AWESOME! Glad it worked for you!

[@EliudGilSamaniego]

this worked lol, even my mac was brand new it didnt work at all search in current folder, thanks a lot

[@carolreimer9554]

New M3 Macbook - fixed. This has been bugging me ever since I received my new "precious" a couple of weeks ago. THANK YOU!!! To all who try this, it only worked for me when I selected the full hard drive.

[@giebmusic]

thank you that was so easy - MacBook Air (M1, 2020)

[@patsimrell9845]

I "think" this fixed it. I have to fiddle with it a bit more to be certain. First issue I had was Apple has gotten rid of "System Preferences" and it's just "System Settings" now. I took a leap of faith and it's definitely better, but things are still a little sticky in the way Finder quickly changes the folder you are searching, You need to watch it like a hawk. I ditched MicroSoft years ago because I got sick of constant changes to the look and feel of what I was doing. I certainly hope Apple isn't going that route. Anyway - thanks for your help. I"m a subscriber now and will be back!

[@KingMinosxxvi]

works for all these people but not me WTF

[@ryan18462]

It actually worked for me second time. Try adding the folder twice perhaps

[@janni_banni]

you saved my life sir, thank u so much!

[@tracykeys9485]

Thank you so much! This was driving me a little crazy, and your solution worked perfectly!

[@sombrerobeach]

It really worked. Thank you so much.

[@SignatureEdits]

You're welcome!

[@AXXXXA]

This worked for me on my M2 Air. Thanks !

[@allaboutjones]

Much LOVE. THANK YOU!!!!!

[@SignatureEdits]

Any time!

[@RacingVoiceUK]

This REALLY DOES WORK!! Mind blown! Many thanks guys, a life saver.

[@jmontgue6431]

I know this video is a year old BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!

[@delia_ra]

Gosh! finally a fix to this dreadful issue! thank you

[@SignatureEdits]

RIGHT?! Haha you are most welcome!

[@louisekirby2527]

Thanks. Fixed exactly this problem in new Mac Mini Ventura 13.2

[@SignatureEdits]

Glad it helped!

[@billyng37]

I've spent hours to search for solution and found your video. Thanks so much!

[@SignatureEdits]

glad it helped!!

[@jerameelcabautan7917]

Worked on M2 Pro Macbook Pro! Thanks!

[@Col_Fragg]

The issue I have is all my data is stored on external hard drives. No matter what I have tried, my iMac refuses to index my external hard drive. I have the latest iMac running the latest version of Ventura and my external hard drives are formatted exFat. I've been using an iMac for ten years and this has always been an issue. If there's a way to fix this, that would be awesome.

[@wilmalongman6491]

It WORKED on my MacBook Pro!! Mind blown

[@SignatureEdits]

Awesome!

[@KESSTHEMC]

Thanks for this worked fine on my 2019 Mac book Pro

[@TheSHIFT-Reality]

You're MacFinder JESUS!

[@blueapple9135]

It works, thanks so much, you saved me a ton of time.

[@staceem]

It worked. Thanks so much!

[@SignatureEdits]

Glad it helped!

[@user-sr3fb2mt1s]

it worked in my MBP M2 - thanks heaps

[@SignatureEdits]

Glad to hear it!