Spotlight crashes after typing 2 characters

[GGJstudios]

This problem appeared only recently. I'm running Sierra (10.12.6), but I've read reports that this issue has appeared in other macOS versions, as well. When I Command-Space to open Spotlight, it closes again after typing 2 characters. I've tried re-indexing, but it doesn't help. Extensive searching hasn't revealed any solution. Anyone else having this problem, or have any ideas?

 

[bwinter88]

My Spotlight doesn't crash, but within the past week or so it's stopped showing any results at all. I've tried 3 different methods of trying to get it to rebuild the index, but to no avail. It's like Spotlight has completely broken.