Fix Mac Finder Search with 5 Proven Methods

Finder is one of the best default file management apps on a Mac, packed with essential tricks and tips for organizing your files, just like a pro. This built-in app has a powerful search tool that helps you locate important files. However, users are now complaining about the Mac Finder search not working.

Due to technical glitches or errors, the Finder search may fail to display or function properly, leading to decreased productivity and wasted time. To address this issue, we present five proven solutions to fix the Mac Finder search not working problem. Let's get started!

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Fix 1: Check Finder Search Settings Inspect Finder Search Preferences

One of the best solutions to fix the "Mac Finder search not working" issue is to check the Finder search settings. Here's how you can do it: 1. **Open Finder**: Click on the Finder icon in your Dock, which resembles a smiling face inside a blue folder. 2. **Select Preferences**: From the Finder menu at the top of the screen, choose "Preferences." Alternatively, press `Command` + `,` (comma) on your keyboard. 3. **Open the "General" tab**: In the Finder Preferences window, click on the "General" tab located at the top. 4. **Check "Show these results in Finder"**: Make sure that the checkboxes next to "Files & Folders," "Applications," "iCloud Drive," and any other relevant locations are checked. This ensures that Finder includes these locations in your search results. 5. **Switch to "All My Files"**: If you're looking for a specific file type, try changing the "Search" section at the top right corner from "This Mac" to "All My Files." This will search across all your files and folders. 6. **Update Spotlight Index**: Sometimes, the problem could be related to Spotlight, which powers the search function. To update the Spotlight index, go to "System Preferences," then click on "Spotlight." In the Spotlight preferences, click on "Privacy" and remove any drives or folders that might be preventing indexing. After removing them, add them back to allow Spotlight to re-index. 7. **Reset Spotlight Index**: If updating doesn't help, you may need to reset the Spotlight index completely. Open Terminal (found in /Applications/Utilities), and enter the following command: ``` sudo mdutil -E / ``` Enter your admin password when prompted, and wait for the process to complete. This will rebuild the Spotlight index. 8. **Restart Your Mac**: A simple restart can often resolve issues with software applications like Finder. 9. **Check for Software Updates**: Ensure your macOS is up to date by going to "System Preferences," then "Software Update." Installing any available updates might fix the issue. If none of these steps work, consider reaching out to Apple Support or a professional technician for further assistance.

Step 1: Open a Finder window, click on "Finder" in the menu bar, and then choose "Preferences" from the drop-down menu.

Step 2. In the new window, navigate to the “Advanced” tab.

Finder > Advanced

Step 3: You should see “When searching” at the bottom. Make sure “This Mac” is checked.

This solution also applies to the issue of Mac Finder not showing files. If you have enabled the option but still encounter the issue in Finder, try the solutions below.

Fix 2: Rebuild the Spotlight index to resolve issues with Finder search not working

Did you know that both Finder search and Spotlight search use a similar search index? If not, you can check the Spotlight search settings to see if all folders have been added to the search index. In this section, we'll provide detailed steps to fix when Finder or Spotlight search isn't working on your Mac.

It's possible that you accidentally excluded one or more folders from Spotlight through the macOS privacy settings. Here's how to fix it:

Step 1: Click the Apple icon in the menu bar.

Step 2. Click on “System Preferences” or “System Preferences.”

Step 3: Choose “Siri & Spotlight” > “Spotlight Privacy.”

Step 4: If you notice any folders that you don't want Spotlight or Finder to search, remove them from the list using the drop-down menu. Select the folder you want to remove and click the “-” button. Click “Done” when finished.

Fix 3: Delete corrupted Finder PLIST files

If you have a corrupted Finder PLIST file on your MacBook, features and apps might not work as intended. Thus, it's crucial to delete the file, restart, and try again from scratch. Here's how to delete a damaged Finder PLIST file:

Step 1: Open “Finder,” and press “Command + Shift + G.”

Step 2: Go to the file path: ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist.

Step 3: From the list, find the Finder's PLIST file (com.apple.finder.plist), right-click on it and hit “Move to Trash” or use the Mac shortcut to move to trash.

Move the .plist file to the Trash bin

This will quickly remove your files. Restart your Mac to enforce the changes, then try using Spotlight again to see if you get the correct search results.

Keep in mind that the deleted files will be moved to the Trash, where they will remain for 30 days before being permanently erased. If you need to recover a file that has been permanently deleted from your Mac, consider using a professional data recovery tool.

The Mac Data Recovery Wizard tool can help you recover files without using the Mac Trash, including deleted Word documents, photos, videos, Excel files, emails, and more. Download this powerful file recovery tool to restore your deleted/lost files in just 3 steps!

If this article helped you, please bookmark it and share it on social media to help others learn how to fix the broken Mac Finder search feature.

Solution 4: Start your Mac in Safe Mode

Boot your Mac into Safe Mode to fix inaccurate Finder searches. It's a simple process that only takes a few minutes. Using Safe Mode is important for troubleshooting any issues or errors that might be causing problems with your computer.

Here's how to put your Mac into Safe Mode, whether you have an Apple silicon Mac or an Intel Mac:

Start your Apple Silicon Mac in Safe Mode:

Step 1: Turn off your Mac, wait a few seconds, and then turn it back on.

Step 2. Hold down the Power button until you see the startup options on the screen.

Step 3: Choose your boot disk.

Step 4: Hold the “Shift” key and click on “Continue in Safe Mode.”

Start up your Intel Mac in safe mode:

Step one: Shut down your MacBook, wait 10 seconds, and restart it.

Step 2: Hold down the power button to turn it on, and keep holding down the “Shift” key.

Step 3: Release the “Shift” key when you see the login screen.

Fix 5: Check for software updates to fix broken Finder search

Outdated software can cause Mac Finder search to malfunction. Thus, it's recommended to update your Mac's software, as the latest updates contain crucial bug fixes that can effortlessly resolve your issue. Follow these steps to upgrade your Mac to macOS Sonoma:

Step 1: Click on the "System Preferences" button in the top right corner of the screen, which will lead you to the Apple logo interface.

Step 2: Look for the “General” tab and choose “Software Update.”

Step 3. Choose “Update” or “Upgrade now.”

Alternatively, you can search the App Store for the version of macOS you want, and check for updates from there.

This feature will search for available MacBook updates and install them directly on your device.

Why isn't Spotlight search working on my Mac?

There can be several reasons why Mac's Finder search is not working, as outlined below:

Temporary issues: You might not be able to find a file when you search for it in the Finder on your Mac, especially when you first start searching.

⚠️ Outdated Software: If your MacBook's software is not up to date, outdated software can cause the Mac Finder to malfunction. Thus, it's necessary to update your MacBook.

Incorrect Settings: Incorrect Finder settings can lead to the Mac Finder search not working error.

Conclusions

If Finder search on your Mac is having issues, the above solutions might help. Try them at your own pace. If none of these troubleshooting tips work, you might need to take your Mac to your local Apple Store for in-person hardware support.

As a last resort, you can reset your Mac, but proceed with caution, as this will erase everything. In this case, you should install a tool like Data Recovery Wizard for Mac to retrieve various deleted data from your Mac.

Frequently Asked Questions: MacFinder Search Not Working

Here are some frequently asked questions that help to clarify the subject:

1. Why isn't Spotlight search working on my Mac?

One of the main reasons for the “MacFinder search not working” error is an outdated software. If you're unable to search for files through Finder, it's recommended that you install the latest updates.

2. Why can't I search for files on my Mac?

On your Mac, launch the Finder app. Navigate to the "Advanced" section. Choose one of the two options to alter the default search behavior of the Finder app when performing queries. For instance, you can opt for "Last Search Scope," "Current Folder," or "Search This Mac."