Resolve Outlook 2016 Search Greyed Out Error
Updated On - December 16, 2021
Outlook is by far the most widely used email client in almost every industry. One of the most common and known features of Outlook is its advanced search feature that enables the user to perform a quick, in-depth search of all the information. But sometimes even this advanced search feature can become disabled or greyed out.
There are different methods in which this issue can be resolved manually:
- Using the Outlook Options
- Using the Registry Editor, and
- Using the Local Group Policy
a.) Outlook Options
- Launch Outlook and got to File>Options.
- Click on Search on the left-side pane and click on Indexing Options.
- In Indexing Options, select Microsoft Outlook and then click on Modify
- In Indexed Locations, check the check box of Microsoft Outlook and then click OK.
b.) Registry Editor
- Launch Registry Editor box and locate the following:
- In the right-hand side panel, create a new value, DWORD (32-bit)and give a name, PreventIndexingOutlook.
- Give it a numeric value, 0.
- Click on OK and now check if the issue has been resolved or not.
c.) Local Group Policy
- For this, run gpedit.msc in Run dialogue box.
- Open Local Group Policy and locate the following link:
- In the right-side pane, select the option Prevent Indexing Microsoft Office Outlook.
- Make sure that the checkbox is selected for either Not Configured or Disabled.
What to if the PST file is inaccessible?
The manual approach to rectify the search problems are quick and easy. But Outlook users may face many other issues like PST file corruption also. In such cases, they need professional recovery tools like Recoveryfix for Outlook PST Repair. This tool quickly and smoothly repairs all the damaged and corrupted PST files.
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I always read your blogs that have great knowledge in them. it also helps me professionally at my job. Thanks a lot and keep it up.
I also faced an error like this, but I read this article on Google and I corrected my problem manually.
I tried the manual approach to rectify the “Greyed Out” Error in my Outlook but none of them worked. Please suggest something that can help me sort out the issue.
Hello, Muhammad
If you are unable to fix the issue through manual methods, chances are that your Outlook PST has gone corrupt. In the last section of the blog, we have highlighted an efficient third-party software i.e. Recoveryfix for Outlook PST Repair that can help you fix corruption issues in PST.
I followed your given methods to make the Search feature work again. But, while searching for specific emails, they are showing the random data. What should i do?
Hello Mariana,
It means that the corruption has deeply affected the PST files and changes the structures of emails. You should repair the PST file as soon as possible and then attach it with Outlook again.