Windows 11 Indexing is paused

Same problem here ;) Rebuilding index, changing location, turning in backoff indexing - nothing works.

Hi BW. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, specializing in Installation, Performance, Troubleshooting and Activation, here to help you.

Try this fix first:

1. Go to the main search icon on the Start bar and type SERVICES, and then select the SERVICES app.
2. Within the SERVICES app window, in the right pane, scroll down until you find the service named "WINDOWS SEARCH." Right mouse click on it and select RESTART SERVICE.
3. A warning window will display letting you know that restarting this service will also stop and restart a WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER NETWORK SEARCH service, and will give you the option to click OK or CANCEL. Click OK.
4. That should do it... if you return to the INDEX OPTIONS window, the PAUSE INDEXING button will no longer be grayed out and indexing will have resumed. Hope that helps~!

Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/WindowsHelp/comments/q...

If that doesn't fix it try Search troubleshooter at Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Additional Troubleshooters.

More in this Microsoft Search troubleshooting document:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/w...

Feel free to ask back any questions. Based on the results you post back I may have other suggestions if necessary.

______________________________________________

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Hello Greg,

Thank you for the response.

Before I restart...what is the difference between rebuild and restart? 

The indexing, after a rebuild starts, pauses. Wont restart do the same?

Also...it has been indexing and pausing and indexing and pausing since yesterday. Will a restart start at zero again (like rebuilding)?

Rebuilding the index pre-sorts it so it finds search targets faster.

Restarting the Search Service is something entirely different, done in Services control panel or Task Manager > Services tab, and is a way to fix pausing that is stuck.

Follow the steps given until one of them works.

Report back results so I know what else to suggest.

Hi Greg,

Rebuilding pauses, carries on and pauses...you get the picture...

I am able to find folders with windows search, but not key words within word and excel files within the folders.