Alfred Not Finding Files

How to fix it

// try these in order, the most common fix is first

1. FIX 1Run Alfred's file troubleshooter

   Copy steps
   1. 01Open Alfred Preferences > Help > Troubleshooting > File Search Troubleshooting
   2. 02Click Run Troubleshooting and drop the missing file onto the Drop file square
   3. 03If it reports a metadata problem, rebuild the index (below)
   Did this fix it? Yes No

2. FIX 2Use the file search keywords

   Copy steps
   1. 01Type open (or press space first) followed by the file name
   2. 02Use find to reveal in Finder, or in to search file contents
   Did this fix it? Yes No

3. FIX 3Fix Alfred's search scope

   Copy steps
   1. 01Open Alfred Preferences > Features > Default Results
   2. 02Drag missing folders into the search scope
   3. 03For Dropbox/OneDrive click Reset... and choose Reset to Applications and Home
   4. 04Make sure the file types you want are ticked in Essentials or Extras
   Did this fix it? Yes No

4. FIX 4Check Spotlight settings

   Copy steps
   1. 01Open System Settings > Spotlight and tick the file types you search
   2. 02Under Spotlight > Privacy remove folders you want indexed
   Did this fix it? Yes No

5. FIX 5Rebuild the macOS metadata index

   Copy steps
   1. 01Alfred Preferences > Advanced > Rebuild macOS Metadata
   2. 02Click Reindex macOS Metadata Index and authenticate
   3. 03Wait (up to an hour or more); then type reload in Alfred
   Did this fix it? Yes No

6. FIX 6Do a deep reindex

   Copy steps
   1. 01Alfred Preferences > Advanced > Rebuild macOS Metadata
   2. 02Click Delete .Spotlight-V100 Folder, authenticate and reboot
   3. 03Let indexing finish before testing
   Did this fix it? Yes No

Symptoms

Files you know exist don't show up in Alfred results, or Dropbox/OneDrive/iCloud files never appear, while some or all files are also missing in Spotlight.

Why it happens

• C-01Corrupt or incomplete macOS Spotlight metadata index
• C-02File's folder is not in Alfred's search scope
• C-03Folder listed in System Settings > Spotlight > Privacy
• C-04File type unchecked in Spotlight or Alfred default results
• C-05Cloud storage folders in ~/Library/CloudStorage outside scope
• C-06Searching default results instead of using the open/find keywords

// this guide also covers

• alfred not finding files
• alfred can't find files
• alfred file search not working
• alfred dropbox files not showing

Other Alfred errors

• Alfred Hotkey Not Working
• Alfred Not Finding Apps
• Alfred Clipboard History Not Working
• Alfred Snippets Not Expanding
• Alfred Slow to Open or Lagging
• Alfred Workflows Not Working
• Alfred Preferences Not Saving or Syncing
• Alfred Powerpack Not Activating