Struggling with Finder search not working on your Mac? Follow this step-by-step guide to troubleshoot and fix Finder search issues, to quickly locate your files and get back to being productive.
1. Use “This Mac” in Finder
If Finder search isn’t working correctly on your Mac, one of the simplest solutions is to change your search scope to This Mac. Sometimes Finder struggles to display results when you search within a specific folder, but it works fine when you expand the search to the entire Mac.
Open Finder and click on the search bar in the top-right corner, or press Command + F to initiate a search.
Enter your search term. In the toolbar just below the search bar, you’ll see options to refine your search. Select This Mac instead of the current folder.
By choosing This Mac, you’re broadening the search to include all folders and directories on your Mac, which can help locate the files or information you’re looking for. This approach often bypasses the hiccups Finder may have when searching within a specific folder.
2. Use Spotlight Search
When Finder search isn’t working, Spotlight can be a useful alternative. Although Spotlight returns a broad range of results, including web pages, emails, and more, you can customize it to focus more on the files stored on your Mac.
Click the magnifying glass icon in the Finder menu bar in the upper-right corner of the screen, or press Command + Space to open Spotlight. Type your search term in the Spotlight search box. If the file you’re looking for doesn’t appear in the results, it may be filtered out.
To adjust Spotlight’s search settings, follow the instructions below.
Open the Apple menu, and choose System Settings -> Siri & Spotlight. Under Search Results, make sure the appropriate categories, such as Documents, are selected.
If Spotlight is returning too many irrelevant results, you can fine-tune it by unchecking boxes next to categories you don’t need.
3. Quit and Relaunch Finder
Sometimes Finder search issues can be resolved by simply quitting and relaunching Finder. Apps can occasionally malfunction, and Finder is no exception. Restarting Finder can often clear up any temporary app glitches.
Select the Apple logo in the menu bar. Choose Force Quit from the drop-down menu. In the Force Quit Applications window, select Finder, then click Relaunch.
This process will restart Finder, potentially resolving your search issues. If Finder search still isn’t working properly, proceed to the next troubleshooting step.
4. Restart Your Mac
Sometimes a simple restart can work wonders to fix random app errors on your Mac, including issues with Finder search. Rebooting clears out system resources, closes unnecessary processes, and applies pending updates. It also helps fix memory leaks and other related problems.
Open the Apple menu, and select Restart … from the options.
After your Mac restarts, check whether Finder search is working properly. This quick and easy step often resolves many common issues, giving your system a fresh start.
5. Check Your Finder Settings
If Finder search still isn’t working, it’s time to check the app’s search settings. Adjusting Finder settings can sometimes resolve search problems by ensuring it searches your entire Mac by default.
Open a Finder window. Click Finder in the menu bar, and select Settings from the drop-down menu. Go to the Advanced tab, and ensure that the When performing a search option is set to Search This Mac.
If this setting is already enabled, and you’re still encountering issues, proceed to the next troubleshooting step.
6. Rebuild the Search Index
Finder search relies on the Spotlight search index to find your files. If the Spotlight index is corrupted, you could experience issues with Finder search. Rebuilding the Spotlight index can help resolve this problem.
Open the Apple menu, and select System Settings. Choose Siri & Spotlight from the sidebar on the left. Scroll down and click Spotlight Privacy. Click the plus (+). Select Macintosh HD from the drop-down at the top of the window, and click Choose. Select OK on the pop-up message from Spotlight.
Select the drive you just added in the Privacy window, and click the minus (-) sign. After you’re finished, select Done to close the window.
This action will trigger the Spotlight index to rebuild. The process may take a few minutes, depending on the amount of data on your Mac. Once the rebuilding is complete, your Finder should work properly again.
7. Look for a Corrupt PLIST File
A corrupt Finder PLIST file can cause Finder and its search functions to misbehave. Deleting this file and rebooting your Mac can often resolve these issues.
Open Finder and press Command + Shift + G to open the Go to Folder window. Type in the following path: ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist to locate the Finder PLIST file (com.apple.finder.plist) in the list.
Right-click the file, and select Move to Trash, then restart your Mac. This will allow macOS to create a new, uncorrupted PLIST file for Finder. After rebooting, check whether Finder search is functioning correctly.
Removing a corrupt PLIST file can often fix unexpected issues with Finder, restoring its normal search capabilities.
8. Check Your Mac for Malware
If, after you performed all the troubleshooting techniques, Finder search still isn’t working, malware could be the culprit. Malware can disrupt various functions on your Mac, including Finder search. To rule this out, you need to scan your Mac for malware using a reliable security tool.
Download and install a reputable antivirus or anti-malware program, such as Malwarebytes or Avast. Run a full system scan to detect and remove any malicious software. Follow the program’s instructions to quarantine or delete any threats found.
By thoroughly scanning your Mac, you can ensure that malware isn’t causing your Finder search issues, helping restore your system’s performance and security.
Don’t let Mac Finder search issues slow you down. With the troubleshooting steps outlined in this guide, you can quickly identify and resolve the underlying causes of Finder search not working on your Mac.
All screenshots by Anya Zhukova.
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