How to fix search problems with Microsoft Indexer Diagnostics on Windows 10

If search isn't working correctly on Windows 10, you can now use the Indexer Diagnostics app which includes tools troubleshoot and fix most common problems.

Fixing Windows 10 search with Indexer Diagnostics tool
Fixing Windows 10 search with Indexer Diagnostics tool

On Windows 10, the Windows Search service is designed to scan and index files, so that when you perform a search from the taskbar or File Explorer, you’ll get an instant result with the file that you need.

Although the search feature works well for the most part, sometimes, it may not show results as expected, use too much resources, or may stop working, and this when the Indexer Diagnostics app comes in handy.

Indexer Diagnostics is an app from Microsoft that is available from the Microsoft Store, and it includes the necessary tools to troubleshoot and fix most common problems with Windows Search.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to troubleshoot and fix problems with the Windows Search feature on Windows 10 using the Indexer Diagnostics app.

How to fix problems with search on Windows 10

If you’re having issues using search on Windows 10, the Indexer Diagnostics app can help you understand the current configuration to start troubleshooting and fix problems with Windows Search.

Installing Indexer Diagnostics app

To install the Indexer Diagnostics app, use these steps:

  1. Open Indexer Diagnostics app download page.

  2. Click the Get button.

  3. Click the Open button.

  4. Click the Install button.

    Indexer Diagnostics app install
    Indexer Diagnostics app install

Once you complete the steps, the app will install, and it’ll be accessible from the Start menu.

Checking status of Windows Search

If you’re not sure whether Windows Search is working, you can check the “Service status” page.

To check if Windows Search is running, use these steps:

  1. Open Indexer Diagnostics.

  2. Click on Service status.

  3. Confirm Windows Search service is running.

    Indexer Diagnostics search status check
    Indexer Diagnostics search status check

In this page, you can see the total number of files that were indexed. The drives being scanned for new files. Outlook items, Microsoft Edge history items, and more importantly, if the feature is working, the Windows Search service status will read as “running.”

Fixing problems with Windows Search

To resolve issues with Windows Search, use these steps:

  1. Open Indexer Diagnostics.

  2. Click on Search is not working.

  3. Click the Restart button.

    Indexer Diagnostics fix search not working
    Indexer Diagnostics fix search not working
  4. Click the Reset button if the restart option didn’t work.

After you complete the steps, the search feature for Windows 10 should start working again on your device.

Checking if file is index on search

To determine if a file is already index in the search database, use these steps:

  1. Open Indexer Diagnostics.

  2. Click on is my file indexed.

  3. Click the Browse button.

  4. Select the file that you want to check in the index.

  5. Click the Verify button.

    Indexer Diagnostics verify indexed file
    Indexer Diagnostics verify indexed file

Once you complete the steps, you’ll have an understanding whether the file has been registered by Windows Search.

Confirming indexing locations

Sometimes a file or folder may not appear in search because its location is not registered as a location to scan files.

To confirm all indexing locations, use these steps:

  1. Open Indexer Diagnostics.

  2. Click on What is being indexed.

  3. Confirm the included and excluded paths.

    Indexer Diagnostics included and excluded locations
    Indexer Diagnostics included and excluded locations
  4. (Optional) Click the Add button to include or exclude paths for indexing.

After you complete the steps, you’ll understand what locations are being indexed, and how to add new paths to make other folder locations available for search.

Troubleshooting performance issues with Windows Search

The diagnostics app also includes a tool to troubleshoot the performance of the search service.

To troubleshoot performance settings with search, use these steps:

  1. Open Indexer Diagnostics.

  2. Click on Performance.

  3. Confirm successful and failed queries.

  4. Click the Start Resource Tracing button to resolve issues too much resources usage.

    Indexer Diagnostics fix high resources usage for Windows Search
    Indexer Diagnostics fix high resources usage for Windows Search
  5. Click the Start Functional Tracking to resolve problems with search when it’s not working correctly.

Once you complete the steps, the Windows Search performance should return to normal.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.