The problem still exists. I have reported it. For now, I will not go back to the previous version with the expectation that I am not the only one with this problem and Microsoft will correct it, in the not to distant future.
Outlook Search Box not working?
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(16, 87%, 11%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EM%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
MrNickCo
5
Reputation points
In Microsoft Outlook, when I click in the “search” box at the top of the page it immediately grays out and goes back to its default setting. You can’t type in the box. It doesn’t matter which folder I wish to search in. This issue is new; I am a long-term user of outlook. What gives?
Microsoft 365 and Office | Other
{count} vote
-
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(195.2, 2%, 28%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3ED%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Dennis 0 Reputation points2025-08-28T01:07:27.7366667+00:00 I have the same problem. I'm on version 2508. I tried rebuilding the index but that didn't solve the problem.
Sign in to comment
26 answers
Sort by: Most helpful
-
MrNickCo 5 Reputation points
2025-08-26T18:55:48.9033333+00:00 -
Dennis 0 Reputation points
2025-08-28T00:22:10.8066667+00:00 Having the same problem with the search. I rebuilt the search index but that did not solve the problem. Hoping Microsoft will fix it soon.
-
MrNickCo 5 Reputation points
2025-08-28T10:04:24.27+00:00 I rebuilt the search index also and it didn't help either.
Sign in to comment -
-
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(44.800000000000004, 14.000000000000002%, 14%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EAE%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Andrew Ede 5 Reputation points2025-08-25T16:48:49.02+00:00 My outlook search has also just stopped working in exactly the same way!
Outlook program (Microsoft 365) - classic - which has worked for years
Looks really odd!
-
Dennis 0 Reputation points
2025-08-28T00:10:59.6833333+00:00 I'm having the same problem. Using Outlook Classic, Version 2508. Microsoft needs to fix this soon.
Sign in to comment -
-
MrNickCo 5 Reputation points
2025-08-25T17:43:01.93+00:00 I am on version 2508. The problem more specifically is that it happens so quickly. I can see the blue line that is under the headings, in this case under the Home tab. When I click in the search box the blue line moves quickly, and I mean quickly, to the right to the Search tab and then immediately goes back to the Home tab. You can't type anything in the search box.
-
Dennis 0 Reputation points
2025-08-28T00:13:27.51+00:00 I'm having same problem. Also on version 2508. I think the Search was working properly just one day ago.
Sign in to comment -
-
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(310.4, 74%, 40%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3ESP%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Srinivasa P 3,200 Reputation points Independent Advisor2025-08-25T13:47:33.5466667+00:00 Hey there!
Are you trying search from Outlook Classic or New Outlook?
Can you do below if you are using Outlook Classic:
Type services.msc in the Run dialog (Win+R), locating the service "Windows Search service", and starting it with Automatic startup type.Next, try rebuilding the search index via File -> Options -> Search -> Indexing Options -> Advanced -> Rebuild.
A corrupted profile can cause search issues, so creating a new profile can help.
Open the Control Panel, search and open the Mail, click Show Profiles, then click Add, enter a name for the new profile, and click OK. Follow the prompts to set up your email account within the new profile.
Hope it helps.
-
Dennis 0 Reputation points
2025-08-28T01:16:15.2466667+00:00 Using Outlook version 2508, Classic. Tried index rebuild but didn't solve problem. Shouldn't have to add a new profile. This is a bug Microsoft introduced in Version 2508 as others have reported. MS needs to fix it.
Sign in to comment -
-
Stefan Blom 310.3K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator2025-08-25T17:26:01.4466667+00:00 Which version of Office are you running? In Outlook classic, click File > Office Account and note the version and build next to the About Outlook button.
Here, I am on version 2507 and I am not seeing any issues with the Search field.