Fix: ‘No Results Found’ Error in Windows Search?

The ‘No results found’ error occurs when the Windows search utility fails to present you any kind of search results. Typically, you would see the message if you are looking for a file, folder, or program that does not exist in the system at all. However, in this specific scenario, the search utility fails to produce results for the targeted files that are already present in the system. 

Here are a few reasons that can explain why you might be facing this issue:

• Windows search service not working – For all the search requests to be successful in Windows, the Search service must be enabled and working properly. If there is an issue with this service, you are likely to run into errors like the one at hand.
• Generic inconsistency within the os – Your system might also be dealing with some kind of corruption error and inconsistency that is preventing the Search utility from doing its job properly. In this case, you can run the dedicated search troubleshooter to identify and fix the problem.
• Outdated operating system – If you are running an outdated version of Windows, several functions of the system will become incompatible, leading to the issue at hand. If this scenario applies to you, then the quickest way of fixing the issue is to install all the pending updates.

Now that we know about the potential causes behind the error, let’s have a look at the troubleshooting methods that can help you fix the problem.

1. Check for Updates

Before you move toward the complicated troubleshooting methods, we suggest that you check the system for any pending updates that need to be installed. Installing the updates is crucial to keep the system working as it is supposed to. Microsoft packs them with bug fixes and the latest features as well. 

This fix was suggested by the official Microsoft team and has done the trick for several affected users facing the ‘No results found’ error. Here is how you can proceed:

1. Press the Win + I keys to open Windows Settings.
2. In the following window, choose Windows Update from the left pane.
   
3. Now, click on the Check for updates button in the right side of the window and wait for the system to complete its scan.
   

   

4. Once done, install all the pending updates available one by one. If you notice any driver updates too, take your time to install them as well. 

Finally, restart your PC and check if you can use the Windows Search utility without the ‘No results found’ error now.

2. Make Sure You Are Not Searching for Excluded Folders

In Windows, you can hide certain folders and files from appearing in the search results of the Windows Search utility. It is worth making sure that you are not trying to search for any of the hidden folders. 

In case you are, remove it from the list of hidden folders by following these steps:

1. Launch Windows Settings by press Win + I.
2. Head over to Privacy & security > Searching Windows.

   

3. Scroll down to the Exclude folders from the enhanced search section and look for the targeted folder.
4. Click on the three dots with it and choose Remove.
   

   

3. Restart Windows Search Service 

As we mentioned earlier, the Windows Search service should be working properly for you to use the utility without errors like ‘No results found’. If this utility is acting up, an effective way to get it up and running again is by restarting the Windows Search service. 

In this method, we will first restart the Windows Search service via Task Manager and then using the Services utility. 

Here is all that you need to do:

1. Launch Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete keys.
2. Head over to the Details tab and look for SearchUI.exe.
   
3. Right-click on SearchUI.exe and choose End task.
   

   

4. If a confirmation prompt appears on your screen, choose End process.
5. Now, close the Task Manager window and press Win + R to open Run.
6. Type services.msc in Run and click Enter.
   
7. In the following window, look for Windows Search service and right-click on it.
   
8. Choose Properties from the context menu.
   

   

9. In the Properties dialog, click on the Stop button.
   
10. Wait for a few seconds and then hit Start. 
    

    

11. Make sure the Startup type is set to Automatic. 
    
12. Click Apply > OK to save the changes.
    

You can now try to use Windows Search utility and check if the steps mentioned above fixed the ‘No results found’ error.

4. Rebuild Search Indexing

Another fix that worked for users was rebuilding the search index from scratch as an issue within it can also be the culprit.

Follow these steps to proceed:

1. Press Win + R to open Run.
2. Type control in Run and click Enter.
   
3. In the Control Panel window, change the View by category to Small icons.
   

   

4. Select Indexing Options from the list of options available.
   

   

5. Click Advanced in the Indexing Options dialog. You will need administrative access for this.
   
6. Next, click on the Rebuild button and wait for the process to complete.
   

   

7. Once done, click OK and check if the ‘No results found’ error issue is resolved.
   

5. Run the Search and Indexing Troubleshooter

In case the issue is being caused due to an inconsistency or corruption error within the system that is preventing Windows search from working, you can try running the Search and Indexing troubleshooter.

This troubleshooter is specifically designed by Microsoft to help you with issues related to the Search utility. It works by scanning your system for potential errors and then fixing them without requiring much user input. 

Here is how you can run it:

1. Press Win + I together to open Windows Settings.
2. In the following window, choose System > Troubleshoot.
   
3. Click on Other troubleshooters.
   

   

4. Now, look for the Search and Indexing troubleshooter and click on the Run button with it.
   

   

5. Wait for the troubleshooter to complete its process. If an error is identified, it will suggest you relevant fixes. In that case, click on Apply this fix. 

Hopefully, you will be able to fix the ‘No results found’ error with the troubleshooter, once and for all.