File explorer search does not find files in ver 1909 almost every day

I have had to rebuild the index 3 or 4 times since updating to ver 1909. It can then find files correctly but the next day it fails to find them again.
- It fails during simple searches for files [where I know the search term is within the filename] - 'No items match your search'
- This is happening in various indexed user folders such as several within Documents
- There is no corruption to the nominated folders in Control panel, Indexing options or its Registry keys within HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Search\Gather\Windows\SystemIndex\Sites
- The troubleshooter merely reports that it 'couldn't identify the problem'
- I am using Windows 10 Home x64 Version 1909 Build 18363.535

Has anybody else been seeing this problem?

I workaround the problem using SearchMyFiles but I do miss the convenience of searching within File explorer itself.

Denis

Hi, problems of various kinds are widely reported following the change in search from 1903.

E.g.
Windows 10 V1909: Issues with Explorer | Born's Tech and Windows World
Windows 10 version 1909 November 2019 update breaks File Explorer search - SlashGear
Windows 10 1909 'Breaks' File Explorer Search Bar For Some Users

and others here. I can't recall one exactly like yours.

I reverted to 1903.

This problem has not happened since late December even though there have not been any updates or any remedial action to account for any change in behaviour.

I was, and remain, on Windows 10 Home x64 Version 1909 Build 18363.535

Baffled but happy,
Denis

And now it has started again.

Denis

For anyone else landing on this thread,

See KB4535996 CU Win 10 v1903 build 18362.693 and v1909 build 18363.693
and its MS original https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4535996

You have to read both the v1909 & v1903 bits to see all the identified issues that the update addresses. They include
- Addresses an issue that prevents the Windows Search box from rendering fully in the space allotted for it.
- Addresses an issue that might prevent the Windows Search box from showing results.

Denis

Bleeping computer has a note about the optional CU for various quality updates (no security this time)
Link : Windows 10 KB4535996 Update Fixes Search, Printing Issues
Also a note about the new Edge PUA facility.

Those tools are great- like Ultrasearch, Locate32 etc- but they don't index content so are not equivalent.

Try using Everything for a content search in pdf (text-based) documents... can it do that?

Unfortunately, KB4535996 CU has not fixed this problem.
- There have been no configuration changes on any of the computers except anything done by Ver1909 & routine WU.
- It does not seem to be happening as often

SFC finds no problems.

I'm going to accept the inconvenience of frequently having to rebuild the index for the time being.
- I have disabled IndexerBackoff to allow me to use the computer during re-indexing without slowing down the re-indexing.
- I use the script in Rebuild Search Index - TenForumsTutorials to make re-indexing even more convenient by triggering it from a shortcut.
- I won't try any Dism -RestoreHealth checks because I believe that this just targets the same files that SFC has already told me it finds no faults in.
- I might run a Repair install when I'm about to install the next CU - since I'll be having to do some work it won't bother me that it'll be a bit more.
- I'm going to start using my secondary computers to run searches to see if frequent use trips them into having the same symptoms. They have not displayed any symptoms so far but I'd be surprised if they are used for File explorer searching more than once a month. The secondary computers are set up in the same way as the main one & always have the same WU applied. All are currently at Windows 10 Home x64 Version 1909 Build 18363.693

Denis

dmesal said:

So far no problems but I have been at sea without a constant internet access it seems that by the time I do get internet the problems are hashed out. I'm usually out 7-10 days. So it seems to me the constant connection that everyone loves is the problem, updates all the time, every burp from MS spouts, greatly improves the likely hood a problem will occur.

That has nothing to do with indexing issues, the subject of this thread.