Apple mail search function not working sierra

Frustrating! The Apple Mail search function not working can be a real pain. Here are some troubleshooting steps to help you resolve the issue on macOS Sierra:

  1. Restart Apple Mail: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve the issue. Quit Apple Mail, then relaunch it.
  2. Check for updates: Ensure that your macOS and Apple Mail are up to date. Go to System Preferences > Software Update, and install any available updates.
  3. Clear search history: Try clearing the search history in Apple Mail. Go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts > Search, and click the "Clear Search History" button.
  4. Check for corrupted search database: The search database might be corrupted. Try rebuilding the search database by going to Terminal (in Applications/Utilities) and typing the following command:
    mdutil -i on /Volumes/Macintosh\ HD

    Replace /Volumes/Macintosh\ HD with the path to your startup disk.

  5. Disable and re-enable search: Go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts > Search, and uncheck the "Enable Search" box. Then, restart Apple Mail and re-enable search.
  6. Check for conflicts with other apps: Other apps might be interfering with Apple Mail's search function. Try closing all other apps and see if the search function works.
  7. Reset Apple Mail preferences: Resetting Apple Mail preferences can sometimes resolve issues. Go to Terminal and type:
    defaults delete com.apple.mail

    Then, restart Apple Mail.

  8. Reindex the mail database: The mail database might be corrupted. Try reindexing the database by going to Terminal and typing:
    mbsync -c

    This command will reindex the mail database.

  9. Check for issues with Spotlight: Spotlight might be causing the issue. Try disabling Spotlight and see if the search function works. Go to System Preferences > Spotlight, and uncheck the "Search results" box.
  10. Reinstall Apple Mail: If none of the above steps work, you can try reinstalling Apple Mail. Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility, select your startup disk, and click "Erase" (not "Delete"). Then, reinstall Apple Mail from the App Store.

If none of these steps resolve the issue, you may want to consider seeking assistance from Apple Support or a professional IT expert.