# How to reindex Email Search Index

> Canonical: https://jethost.com/kb/how-to-reindex-email-search-index/ · Last modified: 2026-09-08T11:03:20+00:00

The **search index** makes searching your mailbox fast and reliable. If a search in your mail app is missing messages, rebuilding the index usually fixes it. This guide explains what the index does and how to reindex.

## What the search index does

Your mailbox uses **full-text search indexing**, powered by Apache Solr. In plain terms, it keeps a searchable catalogue of your messages so results come back quickly – whether you search in webmail, iOS Mail, Microsoft Outlook, Roundcube, or Mozilla Thunderbird. Most of the time it works quietly in the background and you never think about it.

## When to reindex

Occasionally the index can fall out of step – for example after importing a lot of mail or moving many messages. The usual sign is that a search does not return emails you know exist. When that happens, rebuilding the index brings everything back in line.

## How to reindex your mail

![Search Index Webmail](https://jethost.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/search-index-webmail.png)1. [Log in to your webmail](https://jethost.com/kb/access-webmail-roundcube/) and open **Search Index**.
2. Under **Reindex Email Messages**, click **Reindex**.
3. Give it a little time to finish, then try your search again.

![Reindex emails in Webmail](https://jethost.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/search-index-webmail-reindex.png)Reindexing only rebuilds the search catalogue – it does not change, move, or delete any of your emails. It is safe to run whenever you need it. The improvement is most noticeable on large mailboxes, where searching by keyword, sender, or subject would otherwise be slow. Because the index also serves apps like Outlook and Thunderbird, a reindex can fix search problems there too, not just in webmail.

## JetHost Experts Tip

Reindex only when a search is actually missing results – it is a fix, not routine maintenance. On a large mailbox it can take a while, and search may be briefly incomplete until it finishes.

## Need more help?

Search still missing messages after a reindex? Open a ticket through **Client Area → Support** and our team will look into it.