Nautilus crash on search

For a long while now the Nautilus search function has not been working. I want to find a file somewhere in my home folder and enter a couple of letters into the search window. whereupon Nautilus crashes, i.e. the Nautilus process terminates and the window closes.

I noticed this a couple of years back, but somehow was able to live without the search function. but it’s a thorough nuisance.

Am I the only one to experience this? Maybe I have too many folders/files in my home directory?

Gnome Version 41.8