Spotlight can't find a file you know is on your Mac

Why it happens

Spotlight doesn't search your disk live. It looks in an index, a list it builds of everything on your Mac. Anything in Search Privacy is left out on purpose, and after a big update or a crash the index can go stale or get damaged, so files go missing from results.

How to fix it

1. Open the Apple menu, choose System Settings and click Spotlight. Click Search Privacy.

   Spotlight›Search Privacy…

2. Look at the list. If the folder or drive with your file is there, select it and click the remove (−) button. Spotlight starts adding it to its index.

3. If the list doesn't include it, rebuild the index. Click the add (+) button, choose your startup disk (usually Macintosh HD) and click Choose. Confirm if your Mac asks.

4. Wait a few seconds, then select Macintosh HD in the list and click the remove (−) button. Your Mac rebuilds the whole index.

5. Leave your Mac on and plugged in. Rebuilding can take a few hours, and searches may be incomplete until it's done.

Still not fixed?

1. Searching for an email, a note or a message? Spotlight only shows those when that app is turned on under Results from Apps in Spotlight settings.

   Spotlight›Results from Apps

2. In Spotlight, press Command-2 to show only files. Your file may be there but pushed down by apps and web results.

3. If the file is on an external drive, the drive must be plugged in. Network drives and some shared folders aren't fully searched by Spotlight.

4. Comfortable with Terminal? The command in the Terminal box below also rebuilds the index. It needs your admin password, so copy it and run it yourself.

5. If the index never finishes rebuilding, or files keep vanishing from search, the disk may have a problem. Run First Aid in Disk Utility, and if that finds errors it can't fix, contact Apple Support.