Flow Launcher Shows No Results: A Decision Checklist
An empty Flow Launcher result list should be diagnosed by result type. Test a known app, a simple calculation, and a known filename separately. Their success or failure helps distinguish a disabled plugin, an action-keyword mismatch, an index issue, and a broader application problem.
Steps to follow
- Confirm the search box accepts text and clear any previous action keyword or query.
- Search for a known installed app with Program enabled, then test a basic calculator expression.
- Type ? to inspect active keywords and explicitly invoke the plugin that should provide the missing result.
- For files, test the same filename in the configured search engine. For network plugins, test the service separately.
Check the result
At least one controlled query identifies a working result source, or every source fails in a way you can describe precisely.
Limits and common pitfalls
No results for one vague abbreviation is not the same as no results for every query. Use exact known names to avoid confusing poor matching with a broken provider.
Make the check repeatable
Build a small decision record: app found or not, calculation returned or not, file found directly in the engine or not. This narrows the problem far more quickly than cycling through unrelated tweaks and makes a support report easier to understand.
Questions and answers
What should I try before resetting settings?
Check enabled plugins, action keywords, and the underlying search engine. Preserve a backup before any broader reset.
Sources and scope
Related guides
Flow Launcher Crashes: Capture a Minimal Reproduction
A useful crash diagnosis identifies the action that causes Flow Launcher to exit or show an exception. Preserve your configuration, record the exact.
Flow Launcher Settings Not Saving: Locate the Active Profile
When settings seem not to save, first confirm that you are reopening the same Flow instance and active UserData folder. Then check write access, duplicate.
Flow Launcher Not Finding Browser Bookmarks
For missing bookmarks, confirm the correct browser profile and bookmark location before changing global search settings. Test a distinctive bookmark title.