Spotlight Search not Working on Big Sur? Fix

The Spotlight Search feature allows you to search for apps on your Mac and search your mail, messages and the internet for relevant content. Although Spotlight issues are not a new thing, recently, some users have had trouble with their Spotlight after upgrading to macOS Big Sur. Some people use Spotlight often and some rely on Spotlight for their work. If Spotlight Search is not working after upgrading to macOS Big Sur, you might get frustrated. Well, if that is the case, then here are step-by-step instructions that will help you fix Spotlight Search not working on Big Sur for good!

Spotlight not working macOS Big Sur? Fix

Spotlight not working on Big Sur? Restart your Mac

It’s good to try easy solutions first, as this simple step may fix the problem with Spotlight on your Mac.

• Head over to Apple menu  > Restart.

Spotlight not working on Big Sur? Check Spotlight Search Categories

If your searches are not showing results from certain search categories, you should check that you have those categories enabled for search.

1. 1. Head over to System Preferences: Apple menu  > System Preferences.
   2. Next, click Spotlight.
   3. The categories that are checked are the only ones that will show up in your searches.

Spotlight not working macOS big Sur? Rebuild Spotlight Index

You will remove either your entire disk (Macintosh HD) or selected folders, then re-add them. This will force Spotlight to reindex.

Reindex Spotlight using System Preferences

1. 1. 1. Head over to System Preferences: Apple menu  > System Preferences.
      2. Now, click Spotlight.
      3. Next, select Privacy, then click the plus (+) button.
      4. Next on, select Macintosh HD from the side pane on the left, under locations. If you don’t want to reindex the entire disk, choose folders to add instead of choosing Macintosh HD. Click Choose.
      5. Now, click Ok to prevent Spotlight from searching Macintosh HD.
      6. Finally, select Macintosh HD from the list and click the minus (-) button.

Please note: Reindexing may take awhile. You may want to give it a few hours to complete.

Reindex Spotlight using Terminal

You can also initiate a reindex from Terminal.

1. 1. • mdutil manages the metadata stores used by Spotlight.
      • The -E flag erases each local store for the volumes indicated. The stores will be rebuilt.
      1. Launch a Terminal window.
      2. Now, type in the command below:

Sudo mdutil –E /

1. 1. 1. If asked, type in your administrator password.

Restart SystemUIServer Process

Try terminating the SystemUIServer process. It will restart on its own.

1. 1. 1. Head over to Activity Monitor: Launch Finder and select Go from the top menu bar. Select Utilities from the dropdown. Double-click on Activity Monitor in the Finder window.
      2. Search for the process: Begin typing SystemUIServer in the search field.
      3. Click on it to select it. Click the Stop sign with an X in it to end the process.

Restart All Spotlight Processes

1. 1. 1. Head over to Activity Monitor: Launch Finder and select Go from the top menu bar. Select Utilities from the dropdown. Double-click on Activity Monitor in the Finder window.
      2. Enter Spotlight in the search field.
      3. Select all spotlight related processes and click Stop (Stop sign with an X in it).

Bonus tips

If the above steps have failed to resolve your issue, you may want to contact Apple Support for further help. Other fixes include running a disk check or reinstalling Big Sur.

Run a Disk Check

To use First Aid, you will boot into macOS Recovery.

1. 1. 1. Turn off your Mac: Apple menu  > Shutdown.
      2. Power on your Mac. Immediately press and hold down two keys: Command (⌘) and R. Release the keys when you see the Apple logo on the screen.
      3. If asked, type in your password (for a user with admin status).

Run First Aid

1. 1. 1. After startup is complete, you should see the macOS Utilities menu.
      2. Select Disk Utility and hit Continue.
      3. Click on View and select Show All Devices.
      4. Run First Aid on each volume:
      5. Select a volume, such as Macintosh HD from the sidebar, then click the First Aid button . Repeat with each volume (Macintosh HD – Data, etc).
      6. Run First Aid on each container.
      7. Run First Aid on the storage device. It should be the top level in the sidebar.
      8. If an error is found and repaired, run First Aid again until there are no reported errors.
      9. If Disk Utility is unable to repair the disk, or First Aid fails, try once again.

When you are through running First Aid in Recovery Mode, you may restart your Mac (normally) to see if your problem is fixed.

Reinstall Big Sur

Backup your Mac using Time Machine. Then you can use that backup to reinstall macOS Big Sur.

1. 1. 1. Build a connection between your external drive and your Mac.
      2. Restart your Mac in Recovery Mode:
         1. Power on your Mac. Immediately hold down 2 keys: Command (⌘) and R.
         2. Release when the Apple logo appears.
         3. Choose Restore from Time Machine. Then click Continue.
         4. Click Continue. You should see a screen showing your Time Machine backups. Choose your most recent backup.