Problem with search on external drive

R-M-M Said:

"Problem with search on external drive: Since I upgraded to 12.5 OS, I have problem with search on external hard drive, very slow and does not find all files. I have indexed the external drive twice thru spotlight."

-------

Troubleshooting Lagging Mac:

A. Try Safe Mode:

In Safe Mode, login items do not run, and corrupt system files(i.e. caches) are intentionally reset as a way to fix issues

1. Boot: in to Safe Mode: [Hold Down: shift key upon boot].
2. Log in: as same user
3. Wait: 30 seconds
4. Restart; your Mac
5. Log in: as same user

B. See if your Hard drive is Failing:

What to Try:

• Verify your Drive: Repair your Disk in Disk Utility - Apple Support
• Go Here: If your Mac Starts Up to an Apple Logo or Progress Bar - Apple Support
• Perform the following in Recovery Mode:

1. Boot: into Recovery Mode. Go Here:  How to Use Safe Mode on your Mac- Apple Support
2. Select: Disk Utility
3. Select: the Drive
4. Click: First Aid button

C. Remove Login Items:

While in Safe Mode, remove all of your Login Items, and then restart the Mac.  Go Here: Change Users & Groups Login Items Preferences on Mac - Apple Support

R-M-M Said:

"Problem with search on external drive: Removed all login in items. Tried safe mode-result 0 items found. first aid check on hard drive- result “loading” no files displayed. I thought my external drive was dying so bought a new external drive, same result on new drive. Formatted new using exfat."

-------

Based on Personal Experience:

Use Disk Utility: I wouldn't rely on a third-party app for formatting my drive --Disk Utility what I always use. Never had any issues doing so. So, you might want to consider doing the same. See if that makes all the difference. Or did you try Disk Utility, with no success?

Hi,

You may want to give Find Any File a try. I highly recommend it: https://apps.tempel.org/FindAnyFile/index.php

MacOS spotlight does not index exFAT drives, only MacOS formats like HFS+ and APFS.

@tjk suggested Find Any File. I use that as well.

sorry, I stand corrected.

IF MacOS can Write the spotlight index to the drive, it does indeed index other file systems.