Skip to main content
Question

Search function not working

  • August 28, 2026
  • 1 reply
  • 11 views
H

This started a couple of weeks ago.  Search on box.com or using the Box Drive App does not work.  Finder on my Box Sync Folder works just fine and I can use this in the interim.  

 

When using the native Box search, the moment that I type more than two letters in the search box, it states that there is no results.

 

If I click on a subfolder I have better luck sometimes but it is not consistent.

 

I have already checked for unsync'ed files and reset Box Drive on my mac and I still have the same results.  

      1 reply

      Jey Bueno Box
      Forum|alt.badge.img
      • Jey Bueno Box
      • Community Manager
      • August 28, 2026

      👋 Hi ​@Howard W, welcome to the Box Community! Thanks for reaching out, and I'm sorry to hear you're experiencing issues with search on Box.com and Box Drive. Allow me to assist.


      Box utilizes a centralized search index. Whenever files or folders are modified or added, text and metadata are indexed. In most cases, newly added or updated files are indexed and ready within 10 minutes, though high service loads can extend this timeline.


      Spotlight and Finder search on macOS only index local or fully downloaded files and do not index all streamed Box Drive content. Box Drive uses its own search interface (accessed via the Box icon in the macOS menu bar or shortcut Ctrl + Option + Cmd + Space) which queries Box's cloud index directly.


      Because this issue is happening across both the web app and Box Drive, here are a few troubleshooting steps to help narrow down and resolve the cause:


      1. Web browser (Box.com)

      • Clear browser cache and cookies: Cached files or stale cookies can sometimes interfere with live search dropdowns. Clearing your browser cache and cookies often restores normal behavior.
      • Test in an Incognito / private window: Browser extensions, ad blockers, or privacy add-ons can block real-time search queries. Testing in a private window with extensions disabled helps determine if an extension is interfering.
      • Try an alternate browser: Check if the behavior persists across other browsers (e.g., Chrome, Safari, Edge, or Firefox) or on another network/device to see if local network or security software might be filtering search requests.
         

      2. Box Drive on macOS

      • Clean reinstall: Since resetting Box Drive did not resolve the problem, performing a clean uninstall and reinstalling the latest version of Box Drive ensures all cached configuration files are refreshed.
      • Check permissions: Verify that Box Drive has full permissions under System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access on your Mac.
         

      If you have tried these steps and are still seeing "no results" after typing more than two characters, the issue may require a re-index of your account or a deeper look into network logs.


      Please submit a ticket (or click here if unable to open a case) to our Support team with the following details so we can investigate:

      1. Box Drive logs: Click the Box icon in your menu bar > Gear icon > Help > Send Logs (or collect them from ~/Library/Logs/Box/Box).
      2. Network capture (HAR file): Reproduce the issue on Box.com while capturing network activity in your browser's Developer Tools, then export and attach the HAR file.
         

      In the meantime, using Finder with your synced folders is a great temporary workaround. Let us know if you have any questions or need further assistance!

      Terms of ServiceAccessibility statement