How to Deal with a Corrupted PST File When Outlook Won’t Start

How to Deal with a Corrupted PST File When Outlook Won’t Start

Cyber Security

If you are having trouble starting Outlook due to a corrupted PST file, there are several ways you can try to repair it. This article will guide you through the process of troubleshooting and repairing a corrupted PST file. 

Steps: 

1. The first step is to run ScanPST (or ‘Inbox Repair Tool’) which is included with Microsoft Outlook for Windows. It scans the specified PST file and tries to fix any errors or corruptions found in it. To access this tool, launch Outlook and go to Help > Diagnostics > Inbox Repair Tool. 

2. If running ScanPST didn’t help, the next option would be to use a third-party utility such as Stellar Phoenix PST File Recovery or Outlook Recovery Toolbox. These programs provide a more comprehensive solution to repairing corrupt and damaged PST files. 

3. If you don’t have access to either ScanPST or a third-party utility, you can try creating a new PST file and importing your old data into it. To do this, go to File > New > Outlook Data File > Personal Folder File (.pst). Then make sure you select the ‘Import Items’ tab when creating your new file in order to import all of your old emails, contacts, calendar appointments, etc. 

4. If none of these options work for you, then it’s time to contact Microsoft Support directly for help with corrupted PST files. They will be able to provide more detailed instructions on repairing your PST file. 

A corrupted PST file can be difficult to fix and can cause Outlook to not start at all. Fortunately, by following the steps above you should be able to repair your PST file without any serious issues. If none of these solutions work for you, don’t hesitate to reach out directly to Microsoft Support for help with a corrupted PST file. 

When faced with a corrupted PST file, Outlook may not be able to start up and the user may be unable to access the data stored in their mailbox. 

This article will discuss how to troubleshoot and repair a corrupt PST file so that Outlook can successfully start up again. 

Step 1: Identify the Cause of the Corrupted File 

The first step when faced with a corrupted PST file is to try and identify what has caused it. Possible causes include power outages, virus infections or software bugs. If you are unsure of the cause, check your Windows Event Viewer logs for errors related to Outlook or scan your computer for malware using an anti-virus program. 

Step 2: Check for Hardware Issues 

Hardware issues can also cause PST files to become corrupted. Check your computer’s hard drive for any errors or bad sectors, and perform a RAM check if possible. You may need to replace hardware components if there is a problem. 

Step 3: Use the Scanpst Tool to Repair Your File 

The next step is to run the ScanPST tool which is included with Outlook and can be found in the Microsoft Office folder on your computer. This tool scans the PST file for errors and attempts to repair them. Follow the instructions provided by the ScanPST tool to complete this process. 

Step 4: Create a New Profile & Import Data into It 

If the ScanPST tool was unable to repair the PST file, you may need to create a new Outlook profile and import the data from the corrupt PST file. To do this, open the Mail control panel in Windows clicks Show Profiles and then add. Follow the instructions provided by Outlook to complete this process. 

Step 5: Contact Microsoft Support for Further Assistance 

If none of these steps are able to repair your corrupted PST file, you may need to contact Microsoft support for further assistance. They can provide additional troubleshooting steps or help with recovering lost data. 

Conclusion: 

Dealing with a corrupted PST file can be a frustrating experience but following these steps should help you resolve the issue quickly and successfully. Be sure to back up your files regularly so that if any problems do arise, you have a recent backup to restore from. 

How to Deal with a Corrupted PST File When Outlook Won’t Start