How to Fix Indexing Is Paused on Windows 11
There is no need to talk about the usefulness of the search tool in Windows. However, when Windows fails to index your files, you are forced to wait longer than usual to search for apps, files, and other important content on your PC.
So, if Windows fails to detect your files or shows incomplete results, the indexing process may be stopped. If you've ever been bothered by a similar problem, we've compiled a list of 7 effective solutions that will help you fix the indexing tool in Windows 11. So, let's check them out.
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| How to Fix Indexing Is Paused on Windows 11 |
1. Restart Windows Search Services
Windows Search Services is an essential program that is responsible for indexing content and providing search results. If there is a problem with that service, the indexing process will be interrupted. So, first of all, it helps to see if you should try restarting the Windows Search service.
Step 1: Press Windows key + R to start run command, type service.msc and press enter.
Step 2: In the Services window, scroll down to detect Windows Search. Right click on it and select Restart from the menu.
If the service does not start, select Start.
2. Enable search indexing on low battery
When your Windows laptop's battery is low, it may suspend some background processes, such as search indexing. And sometimes, these activities may fail to restart even after you have connected your laptop to the power source. To avoid this, you can configure the indexing tool to ignore Windows power settings. Here's how.
Step 1: Press Windows key + I to launch Settings app.
Step 2: In the Privacy and Security tab, select Search Windows.
Step 3: Toggle the switch next to 'Respect power settings when indexing'.
3. Run search and indexing troubleshooter
Windows carries a number of troubleshooters that can help you with most problems on your PC. One of them is the search and indexing problem solver that you need to use for this problem. Here's how to use it.
Step 1: Click the search icon in the taskbar, type troubleshooting settings and press Enter.
Step 2: Click on Other Troubleshooters.
Step 3: Scroll down to find the search and indexing. Click the Run button next to it to start troubleshooting.
Next, follow the on-screen instructions and allow Windows to resolve any potential issues.
4. Run SFC and DISM scans
Corrupt or missing system files can also interfere with the indexing process in Windows. If this is the case, running an SFC (or System File Checker) scan will help you recover those system files along with their cached versions.
Step 1: Press the Windows key + X to access the QuickLinks menu and select the Windows Terminal (admin) option from the list.
Step 2: Paste the following command and press Enter.
SFC / scannow
After the scan is complete, a message will appear on the screen. If the tool fails to detect any irregularities with the system files, you will need to run a DISM (or Deployment Image Servicing and Management) scan on your PC.
Launch Windows Terminal with admin rights, run the following commands, and then press Enter.
DISM / Online / Cleanup-Image / Check Health
DISM / Online / Cleanup-Image / Scan Health
DISM / Online / Cleanup-Image / Restore Health
After scanning the files, the tool will connect to the online Microsoft server to download and replace the damaged files if necessary.
5. Reconstruct the search index
If the above solutions do not work, the search index library on your PC may be corrupted or inaccessible. As a result, the indexing process is paused in Windows. In that case, your only option is to rebuild the index from scratch. Keep in mind that this process can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours, depending on your system and the amount of data.
Step 1: Press Windows key + I to launch the Settings app. On the Privacy and Security tab, select Search Windows.
Step 2: Scroll down to click on Advanced Indexing Options.
Step 3: Next, click Advanced.
Step 4: Finally, press the rebuild button under Troubleshooting.
After the process is complete, the indexing tool should work as before.
6. Tweakregistry file
A number of users have solved this problem by preventing Windows from indexing Outlook files. You can give it a shot. To do this you need to tweak the registry files on your PC.
Since Registry Editor contains important settings for Windows and its applications, it is recommended that you back up the registry files before proceeding with the following steps.
Step 1: Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Type regedit and press enter.
Step 2: Use the address bar at the top to navigate to the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ software \ policy \ Microsoft \ Windows
Step 3: Right-click the Windows key, go to New and select the key. Its name is Windows Search.
Step 4: Right-click the Windows Search key, go to New and select the DWORD (32-bit) value. Name it PreventIndexingOutlook.
Step 5: Double-click the newly created DWORD and change its value to Data 1. Then press OK.
Exit Registry Editor and reboot your PC to apply the changes. Check to see if the problem is solved.
7. Run System Restore
A recent change in system settings or a firmware update may cause such indexing issues in Windows. If you can't figure out the exact cause, you can restore a system and undo those recent changes.
Step 1: Open the Start menu, create a recovery point and press Enter
Step 2: Under the System Security tab, click the System Recovery button.
Step 3: Use the suggested recovery point or choose the second option yourself. Then press Next.
From there, follow the on-screen instructions to recover the system.
Final Words
Content indexing on your PC lets Windows quickly detect your files. However, like most things in Windows, the indexing tool can sometimes stop working. Hopefully, one of the solutions above has solved any problems with Windows Search Index and things are back to normal.
Welcome to our blog “CYBER SUGGEST“. Debmalya Datta is a professional Blogger, Developer, Social Media Influencer, Digital Marketer and Entrepreneur. He loves doing work which makes him happy, that’s why he choose Blogging and Educate people. You will love exploring educational stuff on our blog. Live your dreams as much as you can. Be a SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTER
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