Searching OneDrive using the web interface returns no results

Question

Searching OneDrive using the web interface returns no results

Steve Rochford 0

When I use the web interface to search OneDrive I get no search results but instead get a message "Something went wrong" followed by "Please try again later" and then "Status: 500, Error: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'message')"

I get this error when I search for file or folder names I know are present, searching for people that I know have been found in photos or tags which I know are attached to photos.

I've tried this multiple time for the past few days.

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Answer 1

Welcome Steve Rochford,

Thank you for posting on Microsoft Q&A. I'm sorry that search on the OneDrive website keeps showing "Something went wrong" when you look for file names, people or tags you know are there.

To point you in the right direction, could you tell me:

Which browser and version are you using (for example, Microsoft Edge, Chrome or Firefox)? Have you tried another browser or device?
Does search fail in every section, such as "My files" and "Photos", or only in one?
Do you use a VPN, proxy, or browser extensions like ad blockers, privacy tools or script blockers?
Does search work in the OneDrive mobile app, or in File Explorer if you use the OneDrive desktop app?

Meanwhile, please try these steps in order and test search after each one:

Step 1: Test in a private window

In Microsoft Edge, press Ctrl + Shift + N to open an "InPrivate" window. In Chrome, this is an Incognito window.
Go to https://onedrive.live.com, sign in with your personal Microsoft account, and search again.
If search works here, a stored cache or an extension is likely the cause. Go on to Steps 2 and 3.

Step 2: Clear the browser's cookies and cache

In Microsoft Edge, go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Clear browsing data > Choose what to clear.
Set Time range to All time, tick Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files, then select Clear now.

Step 3: Turn off extensions, VPN and proxy for now

In Edge, go to Settings > Extensions > Manage extensions and switch off all extensions, especially ad or script blockers.
Disconnect any VPN or proxy, then restart the browser and search again.
If search works, turn the extensions back on one at a time to find the one causing the problem.

Step 4: Sign out and test a simple search

On OneDrive, select your profile picture in the top-right corner, then Sign out. Close every browser window, reopen the browser and sign in again.
Search for one exact file name with no special characters, then try a tag or a person's name. This shows whether every search fails or only certain types.

Looking forward to your update.

Steve Rochford 0 Reputation points

2026-11-07T01:23:32.33+00:00

So far, I've tried using:

Edge on Windows 11
Edge inPrivate on Windows 11
Brave on Windows 11
Edge on Windows 11 connected via my phone as hotspot

I've cleared cookies/cache and removed extensions. I've tried using 3 different computers. I'm not using a VPN or proxy server.

I've also tried Chromium on Fedora and the OneDrive app on Android - all fail with the same JavaScript error.

In each case, I've tried searching for a specific file which I know is present, searching for a person who is present and searching for tags which previously worked.

Search does work in File Explorer but that's using Windows search, not OneDrive search and is not using the cloud based index which is what I suspect is broken.