Spotlight not working on your Mac? Shortcut, results and index fixes

Command Space does nothing, or Spotlight cannot find files you know exist. Check the shortcut, what Spotlight may search, and how to rebuild its index.

Guide · Updated 22 October 2026

Why does Command Space not open Spotlight?

  • Open System Settings, Keyboard, Keyboard Shortcuts, Spotlight, and make sure Show Spotlight search is ticked and set to ⌘ Space.
  • Check Input Sources in the same window: switching keyboard languages can use ⌃ Space or ⌘ Space too.
  • Another app, such as a launcher, may have taken ⌘ Space. Check its settings.

Why can Spotlight not find a file?

  • The folder or disk is excluded. In System Settings, Spotlight, check the privacy list of locations it is told not to search.
  • The type of result is turned off in Spotlight's settings.
  • The index is still building after an update or a new disk. Give it time, especially on a large drive.
  • The index is damaged. Rebuild it.

How do I rebuild the Spotlight index?

In Terminal, check its state, then erase and rebuild it. Searches are incomplete until it finishes, which can take a while:

mdutil -s /
sudo mdutil -E /

Another way: add your disk to Spotlight's privacy list, wait a moment, then remove it again. Spotlight reindexes it.

Opening apps without Spotlight: open apps by keyboard. When keys clash: keyboard shortcut conflicts.

Checked on 22 October 2026 on a MacBook Air (M1) running macOS 27.0.1: Show Spotlight search was read from Keyboard Shortcuts, and the Spotlight indexing processes are running on this Mac.

Questions

Why is Command Space not working on my Mac?

Check Show Spotlight search in Keyboard Shortcuts, Spotlight, and whether an input source or another app uses the same keys.

Why can't Spotlight find my files?

The location may be excluded in Spotlight settings, or the index is still building or damaged.

How do I rebuild the Spotlight index on a Mac?

Run sudo mdutil -E / in Terminal, or add and remove your disk from Spotlight's privacy list.

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