Spotlight works periodically or is slow, even stops working

I tried some of the fixes including:


  1. Booting in safe mode
  2. Stopping SystemUIServer
  3. Rebuilding via terminal
  4. Rebuilding via System Preferences


In some cases it works, it will work for a while then stop indexing. Or start again. I don't check it constantly all I know is that when I search, it returns no results most of the time.


I have to run spotlight a few times by retyping the query after closing spotlight and sometimes that kinda jumpstarts it, but this is where I see it's indexing again. And again.


I feel my computer is quite less useable, are there any way's to remedy this issue ?


I also need to mention this issue is on another computer I have, which is odd



iMac 21.5" 4K, macOS 10.14

Posted on Jan 31, 2019 7:41 AM

Reply
1 reply

Feb 1, 2019 10:34 AM in response to FrisChris

Hello FrisChris,


Thank you for using Apple Support Communities!


I understand from your post that Spotlight search is running slower than expected even after restarting in safe mode, stopping SystemUIServer, rebuilding via Terminal and rebuilding via System Preferences. This same issue also happens on another of your computers. With the troubleshooting you have completed reinstalling macOS would be the next step to help resolve this type of issue. First back up your Mac using the steps from the article below:


Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support


Then use the steps from this article to reinstall macOS:


How to reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery - Apple Support


Best Regards.

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Spotlight works periodically or is slow, even stops working

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