> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://wiki.bryanpcoleman.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://wiki.bryanpcoleman.com/microsoft-windows/microsoft-exchange-server-search-index-rebuild.md).

# Microsoft Exchange Server Search Index Rebuild

In the Exchange Management Shell, run the following command:

```
> Get-MailboxDatabaseCopyStatus * | sort name | Select name,status,contentindexstate
```

If it shows failed, disabled, or some other negative status, the following steps will be required.

1. Stop these two services:
   1. HostControllerService
   2. MSExchangeFastSearch
2. Locate the Index Catalog
   1. Could be on C:\\, or it could be on another data drive.
   2. The format of the directory will look like this:
      1. C:\\-\\-\Mailbox Database 00657134726\_Catalog\STRING OF NUMBERS.Number.Single
   3. Rename this directory to .OLD
3. Restart the two services above
4. A new Index Catalog will be created and the database will start to index

{% hint style="info" %}
It may take up to 24 hours for the Index Catalog to complete, sometimes less, sometimes longer. It is wholly dependent on the size of the database.
{% endhint %}

Use the PowerShell command at the top to check the status of the index.