Event 3036, Search The content source…cannot be accessed (Solved)

A Windows 7 machine becomes un-responsible after a while and the following error is displayed on Event Viewer’s Application log:
“Event 3036, Search.
The content source <csc://{S-1-5-21-4218163875-3405771635-1885838064-500}/> cannot be accessed.
Context:  Application, SystemIndex Catalog
Details:     (HRESULT : 0x80004005) (0x80004005)”.

The Event 3036 error, is related to Windows Search service and specifically to Windows Index feature. The “csc” in event details means “Client Side Caching” and is occurred if the indexing of Offline Files is enabled.

How to resolve the “Event 3036, Search ‘The content source cannot be accessed’ error in Event log.

To fix the Event ID 3036 error(s), first try to repair Windows Desktop Search problems using the Microsoft FixIt tool. If after running the tool you still receive the error, then exclude Offline Files from Indexing and then rebuild the Index. To do that:

1. Open Windows Control Panel.

2. Double click to open Indexing Options.

.

3. Click Modify.

4. Uncheck Offline Files* and press OK.

* Optional uncheck and the Internet Explorer History checkbox.

5. Then click Advanced.

6. At Troubleshooting section, click the Rebuild button.

7. Press OK to rebuild the Index.

8. Wait until the index rebuilding is completed and then close Indexing options.

9. Restart you computer and check if you still receive the “Event 3036” warning message in Event Log.

That’s all folks! Did it work for you?

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