The search feature makes finding text in PDFs a breeze. It will help users to easily find and access a specific page on a long PDF file in a minute or two. Therefore, it is the most used feature for a PDF reader and the most sought-after function when choosing an app. Yet many people encounter a common issue where searching PDFs doesn't work as it should. This greatly impacts how much work gets done for those who depend on PDF files for their job or studies. This article aims to give you a complete guide on how to fix PDF search problems. By sharing practical fixes and advice, we want to help you get your PDF search working again. Read this entire article to find the perfect ways to resolve PDF search not working.
| Solutions | Brief Information |
|---|---|
| Why PDF Search Not Working | Learning what are the factors of the error and their root causes of PDF Search Not Working |
| Five Ways to Fix Search PDF Issue | Find the list of resolutions that can fix the PDF search not working by accessing this section |
| Tips and Tricks for Better PDF Searches | Here are some tips that you can use to have better results on your PDF searches. |
| Final Thoughts | The recap of key points of the entire article |
Why PDF Search Not Working
PDF search not working can be caused by various factors, including non-searchable text, software bugs, incorrect search terms, and indexing issues.
Non-Searchable Text: PDFs may have text you can't search when the words are actually pictures, not real text. This happens with scanned documents or when text gets turned into shapes during creation. Without actual words to look for, PDF searches won't find specific phrases.
Software Bugs: Glitches in programs can also cause PDF search problems. If the PDF viewer or search tool has a flaw, it might not find text or give wrong results. To fix this, keep your software up-to-date and check if your PDF viewer has known issues.
Incorrect Search Terms: Using the wrong search words can make finding things hard. People might type in the wrong keywords or use terms that are too specific or too broad, leading to failed searches. Showing users how to pick good search words can help them get better results.
Indexing Issues: Problems with indexing can also stop PDF searches from working well. PDF files can have extra data that lets searches happen faster and more. However, if this information is missing or corrupted, it can hinder the search process. Checking and rebuilding the index for PDF files can resolve this issue in some cases.
Five Ways to Fix Search PDF Issue
1. Update the PDF Reader
Unable to find or search for words in a PDF document? Then, it could be due to the reader you are currently using. An outdated version of your PDF reader causes some of its functions to not work. This could be due to compatibility and API issues. Let's take Adobe Acrobat as an example; this error is most commonly seen in this app. Most Adobe Acrobat users can check an update within the app, and the error will be resolved. Luckily, Adobe Acrobat comes with an option to update the app directly in the software. You can find the list of steps that you can check to resolve this issue following the guide below.
- The initial steps to resolve Adobe search not working is to access the app on your computer. Launch the tool to have access on its interface in its functions. You will see its menus on the upper part of the tool.
- Next go to the menu and access the help tab from the top. Once you have clicked the Help button you will see a list of drop down options. Then click or tick on the "Check for updates" option.
- Finally, follow the prompts in wizards to install the update on your app. After updating your app, open a PDF and try to search for any text on it. If the issue still persists, proceed with the next steps on this article.
2. Use Repair Installation
Another reason why Adobe Reader search not working is due to a broken installation process. It could be due to a broken installation process of Adobe Acrobat or an inability to have some files needed for your function to work. Corrupted insulation files as well can also contribute to this error, which makes your PDF unable to find any text. An incomplete or corrupted installation of your Adobe Reader can make or cause the PDF search function to not work properly. Gladly, there is a good resolution that you can use to fix or repair this installation error. Follow the guide below on how you can repair or resolve the installation problem on your Adobe Acrobat.
- Begin the process of fixing your PDF file search not working by accessing your Adobe Acrobat on your PC. You will have an option or access on its menu and navigations. Then, try to locate its menu bar which is usually located at the upper top part of the software.
- Afterward, go to the help tab in the top section of the software. There will be a drop-down function that provides you with different options for resolving your Adobe Acrobat app. One of these functions is the repair installation option.
- Finally, once you click the repair installation button or option you will be able to see a prompt. Click yes to fully install or repair the installation error on your Adobe Acrobat. Once updated you can try to launch or access a PDF and look for the search feature.
Open up PDF file in Adobe Reader. Go to the top menu bar and click Edit, then Preferences. When the Preferences box opens, select the Search category on the left. When in the Search category, look to the bottom and click on the Purge Cache Contents box/button. Finally, click OK in the bottom right of Preferences and re-attempt the search. The PDF should now be fully searchable.
This is a default process to resolve the issue of search options recommended by Adobe developers. It is a helpful tip for solving the error of PDF search not working.
3. Modify the Search Settings
When your Adobe Acrobat is able to use the search functionality on its menus, but it seems like it is highlighting a different word within a PDF, then you can modify its search settings. This is a common issue for Adobe Acrobat when someone or a user searches for a specific text; however, it is showing that the resources show different words within the PDF. Luckily, there is an option in Adobe Acrobat's settings to purge or reset the app's search settings. You can take a look at the steps below to learn how to purge or clear the cache of the search settings of Adobe PDF Reader.
- On your computer, look for the Adobe Acrobat app and click on it to launch its interface. You will be able to see its functions and navigations. Then, access a PDF file.
- Eventually, go to the Edit option and you will be able to see a list of functions for the Edit menu. Click on the preferences and then search or press CTRL + K. You will be able to access the purge cash contents button.
- Lastly, once you click the button to purge the cache content, the search functionality will work seamlessly on your Adobe Acrobat. Also you can check enable fast find to remove the function saving the cache to avoid this error coming up in the future.
4. Power Wash the App
One option you can use to resolve PDF search not finding words is to power wash the app that you are using. This process will erase all the information on your app, including the settings, the account, and the PDF files stored. You can perform this process by uninstalling and reinstalling the Adobe Acrobat on your PC. With this, you will be able to remove all the save settings, errors, and broken files that are contributing to the error of the PDF search not working. It is understandable to follow the steps on how to install and reinstall the app on your computer. Nevertheless, we will still provide thorough steps for this process.
- First, go to the Settings app of your computer by accessing the Start Menu. You will be able to see the list of functions of your computer. Then, locate the app section of your PC settings.
- Then, once you have clicked the App section, go to the Installed Apps option to see the list of software you recently installed on your device. Search for the Adobe Acrobat app and click Uninstall.
- For the finale, wait for the app to be uninstalled properly and wait until it removes all the information of the app. You can also restart your PC to clear some remaining cache. Afterward, you can go ahead and reinstall the app by downloading it into your computer.
5. Utilize Alternative PDF Reader
When all of the above does not work, then you can always rely on this last resolution, which is using another PDF reader. For this one, we recommended using AcePDF as an alternate tool as it provides similar functionality for your PDF files similar to Adobe Acrobat. It also rarely has a glitch or bug within its system, most especially with its search option. Also, for the error PDF search option not working, there is good customer service that you can always rely on if local troubleshooting steps aren't able to help you. More so, it can provide users with different basic PDF functionalities such as editing, highlighting, exporting, and converting PDF files on your PC. Follow the straightforward guide below to learn how you can use this app as your PDF search tool.
Try it for Free
Step 1 Install AcePDF
The beginning step to use this tool as a PDF searching app is to install its software on your computer. You can download the installation or wizard file of the app by clicking the button prior to this step. After that, go to your PC's download folder and click on the downloaded zip to run the installation prompts.
Step 2 Open A PDF File
Next, there are three ways on how you can open a PDF file with this app. You can click on its open option to launch a folder on your PC. Also, you can choose the recent documents. Lastly, you can pick Open PDF to directly access the PDF files saved on your device.
Step 3 Search Text on PDF
Finally, once you have accessed a PDF file on your AcePDF, you can click on its Find option, where there is a prompt box that you can use to find a word in your text. Utilize this feature on all of your PDF files. You can also check other features to enhance your PDF quality and appearance.
Tips and Tricks for Better PDF Searches
Here are some tips that you can use to have better results on your PDF searches.
Use Specific Search Terms: To enhance your search results or save certain pages of a PDF, it's necessary to use precise search words that are closely related to the information you need. We recommend enclosing phrases in quotation marks and filtering results by date or website to narrow down your search effectively.
Be Aware of Hidden Text: Occasionally, text may be hidden within images or placed behind visible elements, making it difficult to access or search. Utilizing PDF optimization tools or software that can detect and extract hidden text will ensure that all content is easily accessible.
Think About File Compression: It's essential to consider how compression affects the searchability of text in PDF files. While compressing or converting PDF to other files can save storage space and speed up transfers, it may also hinder your ability to explore for distinct phrases within the document. Understanding the trade-off between file compression and text searchability will help you make better decisions when managing PDF files.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, non-searchable text, software bugs, incorrect search terms, and indexing issues can all contribute to PDF search not working as expected. Learning and addressing these factors can improve the effectiveness of PDF searches and ensure that users can efficiently locate the information they need within PDF documents. Luckily, we have different solutions to help us resolve this error; you can uninstall the app, update it, use an alternative app to search texts, and more.
