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How to fix Finder folder search Issues on MacBook Pro post Ventura update

I have a MacBook Pro using Ventura all updated. Spotlight search works but Finder folder search does not-will only search the entire computer not the selected folder. Must be new to this operating system, new MacBook used migration assist to send al files over. Files look fine and spotlight works. tried the reindexing and relaunch of finder. Thanks


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 13.3

Posted on May 14, 2023 1:24 PM

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Posted on May 14, 2023 6:33 PM

The problem for me is that even when I search the current folder, I get zero results every time, even if I can see the actual file in the folder before searching. The only way I can find anything is to search the whole computer and then sort/filter the list - not ideal!

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Nov 13, 2023 2:18 PM in response to mcm3pups

Have you installed and run any "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up", anti-virus or VPN apps on your Mac?


Give this a try: boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.


NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files


NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.


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May 6, 2024 4:08 PM in response to mcm3pups

Give this a try: boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.


NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files


NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.


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Jun 7, 2023 1:40 PM in response to mcm3pups

I fixed this by deleting the .Spotlight-V100 folder and restarting the index.

One person said it didn't work for them.

Another person just deleted it from /System/Volumes/Data without going into Recovery. I don't like to modify a live file system like that, but it didn't seem to hurt. Also, it was on an Apple Silicon Mac, so if yours is Intel, you just would go into normal Recovery.

Finder does not show files on current fol… - Apple Community


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May 16, 2023 8:24 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

It seems to me this has been an issue for a while-anyone know how it escalates to people that are in the system or can really sort out these bugs? Or just take the hint they are focused on spotlight and we just need to adjust workflow? You might glean I am a health care provider re: just suck up that we changed the way you should do things in the electronic record we do not really care about your old workflows....don't mean that as testy as it sounds....mostly......


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Aug 3, 2023 12:37 AM in response to BPBear544

BPBear544 wrote:

I'm definitely not comfortable deleting/modifying a 'live' system file. This whole issue is another that Apple should be taking seriously, but in their inimitable fashion they just choose to ignore, leaving users floundering around in the dark. Wake up, Apple!

They may eventually do so. In the meantime, you can try to fix it yourself.

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Mar 2, 2024 12:16 PM in response to kingonawoodentree

Sadly I've tried this twice and it doesn't work. Also - the external drive keeps going invisible in finder "locations"?


I go to Disk Utility, open the drive, drag that over to "locations" so I can see it. A day or so later again and it disappears. Such a headache!


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Mar 26, 2024 7:21 AM in response to mcm3pups

I purchased a new MacBook Pro M3 and transferred my data from Time Machine. The spotlight issue persisted regardless all the recommendation that came from this thread. I end-up calling Apple.

I had conversations with 3 Apple tech support reps yesterday.

The first one was trying to convince me that everything is working as suppose to. When I refused to buy his story he escalated me to 2nd rep.

This one promised that he knows how to fix it and convinced me to jump through the hoops.

1) diskutil resetUserPermissions / 'id -u'

2) shutdown and start in recovery mode

3) while in recovery mode, start terminal and run: repairhomepermissions

4) quit terminal and reinstall operating system

The process took some time (1h 40 min), so he disconnected before its completion, promising that the issue will be fixed.


The issue was not resolved regardless. So I called Apple again.

The 3rd rep asked me to:

1) go to spotlight Privacy and add Macintosh HD

2) then close it.

3) wait 2 minutes (but it seemed we wanted 3 or 4)

4) go to spotlight Privacy and remove Macintosh HD

5) restart computer.


It worked !!! the spotlight start showing results for individual folders.

3rd time apparently has its charm.

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How to fix Finder folder search Issues on MacBook Pro post Ventura update

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