Spotlight search can't find files you know are on your Mac
Spotlight builds an index of your files so it can search them quickly. If it's not finding files, the index is broken or incomplete. Rebuild the index by going to System Settings → Siri & Spotlight and removing your hard drive, then waiting for it to re-index.
Spotlight searches through an index it creates of all your files. If files are missing from search results, the index is out of date or corrupted. Rebuilding the index tells Spotlight to scan your Mac again and create a fresh list. This takes time but fixes the problem completely.
- ✓Have time free—rebuilding can take 30 minutes to several hours
- ✓Make sure your Mac stays awake during the re-indexing process
- ✓Don't force restart your Mac while indexing is happening
Fix-IT-Bot will walk you through each step, just tap, no typing needed.
Skip, I just want a technicianCommon mistakes to avoid
- Not waiting long enough for Spotlight to finish re-indexing
- Not checking if the hard drive was excluded in the first place
Signs you need professional help
- If Spotlight still doesn't find files after rebuilding the index multiple times, or if you're unsure whether your drive is excluded, give us a call.
Book a technician
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