Quick Guide to Fix Outlook OST File Cannot Be Opened Error

The error “Outlook OST File Cannot Be Opened” is typically a symptom of data integrity failures. This represents a critical disruption to local data access. At enterprise scale, even a localized spike in this error can strain IT resources and create measurable SLA risk. Hence, to mitigate the data loss, various manual solutions are available that can fix this error. Read this blog to learn more about this error and the solutions to fix it.

Error “Outlook OST File Cannot Be Opened” occurs due to a corrupted OST file, misconfigured Outlook profile, synchronization problems, and more. It can be resolved by updating or restarting Outlook, creating a new profile, or rebuilding the OST, etc.

Kristyn from France asks: “My OST file is damaged, and I am unable to access my Outlook emails. Which software can help repair the OST file and recover the data safely?”

What Factors Lead to the Error “OST File Cannot Be Opened”?

File-level corruption is the most common cause of this error. This corruption can happen due to sudden system shutdowns or if the application crashes. Take a look at the various factors that cause this error:

• If the OST file becomes damaged, MS Outlook will fail to access it. The file can get damaged due to improper closure of Outlook or synchronization issues.
• A corrupt user profile in Outlook may stop the connection between Outlook and the OST file. 
• When an error occurs while syncing with the mail server, it can trigger Outlook to lose access to the OST file.
• Sometimes, the OST file exceeds the recommended file size limit, making it unstable and inaccessible.
• Also, if the user changes the location of the OST file, MS Outlook may display the error that the OST file is not opening. 

Fix “Outlook OST File Cannot Be Opened” Error: Manual Fixes

Users can fix the issue of Outlook OST files not opening by executing the given solutions. Let us understand each of the solutions one by one.

Solution 01: Close & Restart MS Outlook 

Users can restart the Microsoft Outlook application and the system to refresh the processes that occur in the background. It solves the minor temporary issues and tries to restore the connection.

Look at the steps to restart Outlook:

1. Make sure that MS Outlook is closed completely. Check the Task Manager also.
2. Then, go to the Start menu on your system.
3. After that, press the Restart option.
4. Next, launch Microsoft Outlook and check if the OST file is accessible or not.

Solution 02: Set Up a Fresh Outlook Profile

If the Outlook profile is corrupted, it can result in the error “Outlook OST Data File Cannot be Opened”. The new Outlook profile will create a new OST file and sync the email data from the server.

The following are the steps to start creating a new Outlook profile:

1. Close the Outlook application and then open the Control Panel.
2. After that, click on Mail and select the option Show Profiles.
3. Now, press the Add button to add or create a new Outlook profile.
4. Next, enter the name of the profile and tap Ok.
5. Add the details of your email account and set up the connection by following the instructions.
6. Pick the option Always use this profile and choose the newly created Outlook profile.
7. Finally, open the Microsoft Outlook application. 

Solution 03: Rebuild a Corrupted Outlook OST File

Another effective way to resolve “Microsoft Outlook OST File Cannot be Opened” is by rebuilding the Outlook OST file. 

Let’s look at the steps to begin the process:

1. First, close MS Outlook and then press Win+R to open the Run dialog box.
2. After that, type: %localappdata%\Microsoft\Outlook and hit Enter to locate the OST file.
3. Then, find the OST file that is corrupted, right-click on it, and Delete it.
4. Now, restart Outlook and create a new OST file.

Solution 04: Fix Corruption Using Outlook Inbox Repair Tool (ScanPST.exe)

This repair tool diagnoses and repairs the minor OST file corruption. It tries to repair the structural errors in the damaged OST file.

Use the following instructions to fix the corruption:

1. Close MS Outlook on your system.
2. Next, find the ScanPST.exe file. It is located in the Outlook installation folder. 
3. Once found, double-click on it and install it.
4. After that, click on Browse and choose the damaged OST file.
5. Then, press Start to start scanning the file.
6. After the scanning process is completed, click on Repair to fix it and then reopen MS Outlook.

The most common reason for the error “Outlook OST File Cannot Be Opened” is the OST file corruption. For enterprises managing large mailboxes, strict SLAs, or regulated data, a dedicated recovery solution is required. The Cigati OST File Recovery Tool provides a more reliable path. It perfectly scans and recovers the emails along with the attachments. This tool also enables users to save their recovered OST file in various file formats. Furthermore, it offers different modes of corruption depending on the severity of the OST file corruption.

Conclusion

In today’s technical blog, we have explored why the error “Outlook OST File Cannot Be Opened” occurs. However, it is to be noted that these manual solutions are labour-intensive and carry a high-risk of data loss. These manual fixes are unsuitable for complex OST file corruptions. For error-free and zero data loss results, use the Cigati OST File Recovery Tool. This tool is an advanced and superior choice for users who want an instant and reliable fix. The choice depends entirely on the individual and the enterprise’s needs.

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