If you stuck due to the “Instant Search Encountered a Problem Outlook 2016”, then you are on the right page. Here we will find a way to overcome Outlook search issues. It is well known that Microsoft Outlook is one of the most popular email clients used to send or receive emails. It becomes the first choice of organizations as well as a personal level. But sometimes users encountered a problem called “search problem in Outlook 2016”. This issue arises when the search algorithm integrated into MS Outlook does work appropriately as desired.

Therefore, this write-up will explain “What to do If Instant Search Encountered a Problem Outlook 2016?”. But first, let us know the reasons behind the Outlook Search Problem.

Reasons Responsible for Instant Search Encountered a Problem Outlook 2016

It is obvious that “Search” is one of the significant features offers by the application. It not only helps to perform a particular search but also helps to navigate through emails and other mailbox components quite efficiently. When this tool stop functioning properly it becomes frustrating to users. The main reasons behind the Outlook Search Problem are listed below:

• Microsoft Outlook Marked For Indexing – When Outlook Search results come out blank it may be possible that the “Search” feature stops working. It is because of Microsoft Outlook may not be able to check its data files for indexing. However, Microsoft Outlook 2016 provides a facility to analyze whether the mailbox is indexed or not. So, let’s check it out by executing the following steps:

1. Open Outlook 2016, click the ‘File’ menu, then ‘Options’ and ‘Search’ button.
2. Click ‘Indexing Options’ and then select the ‘Modify’ tab.
3. In the ‘Indexed Locations’ window, verify if the Outlook data file is indexed.
4. Also, you can choose the option to index Outlook completely, or quit the indexing option.

• Outlook PST file got Corrupt –Corruption in Outlook’s PST can be a significant reason behind the malfunctioning of the Instant Search Encountered a Problem Outlook 2016.

How to Resolve Search Problem in Outlook 2016?

To overcome both the reason behind Outlook Search Problem. There are two methods available, that are listed below:

1.REBUILD OUTLOOK INDEX

We can achieve the rebuilding of Outlook Index by executing the step-by-step procedure:

• Open Microsoft Outlook 2016. Click the ‘File’ menu and choose ‘Options’ and then select ‘Search’ available on the left corner of the window.
• Click the ‘Indexing Options’ button and then ‘Advanced’.
• In the ‘Advanced Options’ panel, click on the Index Settings tab and then click on the ‘Rebuild’ button.
• Click OK to start to rebuild indexes.
• Restart Outlook to check whether the Search option is working properly or not.

Most of the time this method solve the search problem in Outlook 2016. But when it fails then you have to rely on the second method described below.

2.Repair Corrupt Outlook’s PST files

As discussed earlier that a corrupt or damaged Outlook PST file is a possible reason behind the malfunctioning of Instant Search Feature in Outlook 2016. Therefore, it is necessary to repair such damaged PST files. To do so, you can use SCANPST.exe aka Inbox Repair tool. But it requires technical expertise. Therefore, the best solution to repair a damaged or corrupt PST is a PST Repair Tool from SysInfotools. It is a complete solution you need, as it repairs multiple files effectively. 

Hopefully, these two above-mentioned methods can easily solve Outlook Search Problem.

Final Words

This guide solved the query “ What to do If Instant Search Encountered a Problem Outlook 2016”. There are two reasons described behind this issue. Also, a step-by-step procedure with pictorial representation is given to solve Outlook Search Issues. We hope you found this article enough to solve your query. Thanks for Reading.

You may also read – Repair Corrupt Outlook PST files with Two Microsoft Utilities

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