cannot rebuild global-messages-db.sqlite

[Randysea]

Tbird 102.9.0. Win 10 Pro
Multiple POP3 accounts with two different email provider
Very large file of emails going back years.

When I try to search, TB will only search the current folder, not subfolders. I tried deleting the global-messages-db.sqlite file (540kb) in my profile. When I restarted TB, there was a new global-messages-db.sqlite file about 1% the size of the previous one. All my email folders looked as before. That is, I don't think I lost anything. However, no re-indexing started, at least not while I waited a bit.

I restored the original global-messages-db.sqlite. No problem doing that, either.

How can I get TB to reindex, or to search subfolders?

Thank you.

[Gone Postal]

How can I get TB to reindex, or to search subfolders?

Checking the obvious things first, when you open the Search window, is the "Search subfolders" box still checked?

[DanRaisch]

How are you initiating the search? That is, what menu steps or key presses? Are you using Ctrl+K to open the search dialogue?