Fix for Finder Not Showing Folder Search Results
Disclaimer
A few people have reported that this works (as it did for me). However, there is at least one who reported it didn't work for them. Also, some have fixed the problem by just reindexing Spotlight, so try that first.
This also works in Sonoma, but it seems reindexing in Sonoma solves the problem.
Erasing Spotlight's Index Database
You must give Terminal Full Disk Access.
- Open Privacy & Security System Settings
- Select Full Disk Access
- Click the Add (+) button
- Navigate to Terminal and click Open. Terminal is in /Applications/Utilities
Erase the folder
- Open Terminal
- Run these commands:
cd /System/Volumes/Data
rm -R .Spotlight-V100
Cleanup
- Restart normally
- Sign into an account with administrator permission
- Open Terminal and run this command:
sudo mdutil -E /
sudo will ask for an admin password. Enter your password and hit return. It won't echo anything on the screen when you type the password. Just type the password and hit return.
That command is essentially the same as the reindexing Spotlight instructions, but some have found it works when the normal method does not.
If it doesn't start indexing, try these commands:
sudo mdutil -E /System/Volumes/Data
sudo mdutil -i on /System/Volumes/Data
Once it finishes indexing, it should display found items in their folders.