Outlook is a prevalent email client that is extensively used; by loads of people across the world. It provides a wide range of features and functionalities to manage and organize emails, calendars, contacts, and more. However, sometimes, users may encounter errors while using Outlook. Some errors could be related to data files, whereas few are related to their functionalities. One such error is “Outlook is currently indexing your items”, and this process never finishes.”
This error occurs when the indexing process in Outlook gets stuck and never finishes. The indexing process is responsible for searching and organizing data in Outlook, including emails, contacts, and other items. When the indexing process is not working correctly; users are unable to search for items in their Outlook account, leading to a frustrating experience. This aggravation leads to several queries:
- MS Outlook is currently indexing your items; how to fix
- Outlook indexing is slow in Windows 11
- How long does Outlook indexing take
- how do I fix Outlook indexing
- How to index Outlook 365
- Outlook is currently indexing your items but never finishes
All these queries are associated with one error “Outlook is currently indexing your items, and this process never finishes.”
The reasons for the “Outlook is currently indexing your items and this process never finishes” error can be many, such as an outdated version of Outlook, a corrupt Outlook data file, an oversize PST file, malware or virus attack, or incorrect settings.
Possible causes and fixes of Slow Outlook indexing
In this section, we will discuss the causes and fixes of this error in detail.
Cause 1: Outdated Version of Outlook
Outlook updates regularly with new features and security fixes. So, it is important to keep it up to date. If you are using an outdated version of Outlook, you may encounter this error. To fix it, you can download and install the latest version of Outlook. This reason is mostly valid when you have a very old version of MS Outlook. All newer versions do not encounter such a query.
Cause 2: Corrupted Outlook Data File
Another reason why this error may occur is a corrupted Outlook data file. The PST or OST file in Outlook stores all the data, including emails, contacts, and other items. If this file gets damaged or corrupted, it can lead to various issues, including the “Outlook is currently indexing your items, and this process never finishes” error. To fix this issue, you can try repairing the PST file using the Inbox Repair Tool (Scanpst.exe).
However, this free inbox repair tool fails to repair heavily corrupt data files. In this situation, you can try to convert the data files into a different file format using some reliable file conversion tools. These tools are designed to read corrupt or orphan data files and export them to several other formats.
Cause 3: Oversize PST file
An oversize PST file can also cause the indexing process to get stuck. When the PST file becomes too large, it can slow down the performance of Outlook and even cause it to crash. To fix this issue, you can try splitting the PST file into smaller files or archiving old items to reduce the size of the PST file.
Cause 4: Malware or Virus Attack
A malware or virus attack can also cause the “Outlook is currently indexing your items, and this process never finishes” error. Malware and viruses can damage the PST file or cause other issues; that can lead to this error. To fix this issue, you can run a full virus scan of your system using updated antivirus software, or you need to repair the Outlook data file.
Cause 5: Incorrect Settings
Incorrect settings in Outlook can also cause this error. For example, if you have disabled the indexing process in Outlook, you will not be able to search for items. To fix this issue, you can go to the Options menu in Outlook and enable the indexing process.
Besides all these causes, there could be many other reasons that depend on the user to the user. The above list is the most common reason for getting this error. However, you can rectify this issue by taking the correct measures. Above all, it is seen that Outlook data file migration is the only way to overcome any OST file error.
Conclusion
The “Outlook is currently indexing your items, and this process never finishes” error can be frustrating, but it can be fixed. By understanding the causes of this error and taking the appropriate steps to resolve it, you can get back to using Outlook without any issues.
