Windows 11 Indexing is paused

Anonymous
2022-01-13T06:55:55+00:00

What the hell is up with Windows 11 and the indexing being paused?

I was told by customer help to rebuild, which I did. And it took forever to index a few thousand files (because "indexing is paused") and was still not finished when...

Yesterday, windows took it upon itself to start rebuilding without discussing it with me first, and now I am back at square one - its taking like a bazillion years because "indexing is paused".

All search results return as not found !!!!!!!!!!

Does anybody know how to fix this ****?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Performance and system failures

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-02-04T19:09:01+00:00

    Windows 11's left and right hands aren't communicating very well: I restarted the Windows Search service and in the Indexing Options window the "Items indexed" count is slowly ticking up again. However, below the count the window still displays "Indexing is paused" and the "Pause" button remains grayed out.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-01-21T09:34:08+00:00

    That must be disappointing/frustrating! Are you able to go back in to check that it kept/saved those 3 new settings?

    Disable Indexer Backoff: **Enabled**

Prevent indexing Microsoft Office Outlook: **Disabled**

Prevent indexing when running on battery power to conserve energy: **Disabled**

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-01-16T08:33:32+00:00

    If it was that simple Greg, I wouldn't have messaged.

    The only thing that worked was a complete reinstallation of windows 11.

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-01-16T02:38:39+00:00

    Didn't work for me. Back to square 1. Thanks for nothing, microsoft!!!

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-01-16T01:21:55+00:00

    Hi Greg,

    I have the same issue in Windows 11. I followed your steps below, but didn't get the warning re WMP. Returned to the indexing options dialogue and within a couple of seconds it said 'indexing paused'.

    Is there any solution that will solve this? At the moment if feels like it will take several months to index my data.

    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.

    ______________________________________________

    Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

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