Microsoft Outlook, with POP3 account, stores all the mailbox data, including emails, attachments, contacts, calendar items, and notes, in Personal Storage Table (PST) file on the local system. However, PST files are prone to corruption due to large size and various other internal and external factors. When corruption occurs, Outlook may not be able to open the PST file or throw various error messages. If the PST file corruption is not fixed in time, then it can lead to data loss. In this article, we will see how to fix Outlook data file (PST) corruption. But before proceeding, let’s understand the causes of corruption in PST file.
What Causes Corruption in Outlook Data File (PST)?
There are various reasons that can lead to PST file corruption. Here are some common ones:
Sudden Power Outage – Unexpected power outage or system crash while you are using Outlook can disrupt the PST file’s writing process, leading to file corruption.
Network Connectivity Issues – Frequent disruptions in network connectivity while Outlook synchronizes or accesses the PST file may also cause corruption.
Virus or Malware Infection – Virus or malware infection in the system can also corrupt or damage PST files.
Software Bugs and Glitches – Bugs or glitches in Outlook application or operating system can also corrupt PST files.
Methods to Fix Outlook Data File (PST) Corruption
If the PST file is corrupt, you can use Inbox Repair Tool (ScanPST.exe.) or a third-party specialized PST repair tool to repair the PST file. Below, we will be discussing these tools in detail.
Method 1 – Use Inbox Repair Tool (ScanPST)
To diagnose and fix PST file corruption, Microsoft Outlook has an integrated repair tool, called Inbox Repair Tool or ScanPST.exe. This tool can help fix minor corruption issues in Outlook data file (PST). Let’s take a look at the process of repairing PST file using ScanPST.exe:
- Exit Outlook and any other applications that are accessing PST file.
- Search for “ScanPST.exe” on your system. It is usually located in the Microsoft Office installation folder. Here are the default locations:
- For Outlook 2019: C:Program Files (x86)Microsoft OfficerootOffice16
- For Outlook 2016: C:Program Files (x86)Microsoft OfficerootOffice16
- When located, run ScanPST.exe by double-clicking on it.
- Browse to select the corrupted PST file.
- Click on “Start” to initiate the scanning process.
- If ScanPST detects any errors, click on “Repair” to fix them. You may run this tool multiple times if needed.
- After completing the repair process, open Outlook and check if the issue persists.
Note: ScanPST may fail to repair a large or severely corrupted PST file.
Method 2 – Use a Third-Party PST Repair Tool
If ScanPST fails to repair the PST file, then you can use a third-party Outlook PST repair tool, such as Stellar Repair for Outlook. With this tool, you can retrieve all the mailbox data from damaged or corrupted PST files, irrespective of the file size and level of corruption. It offers various saving options to save the recovered data, such as PST, EML, MSG, RTF, HTML, and PDF. It can restore deleted emails and other Outlook mailbox data from the corrupt PST file. The tool offers advanced filter options for selective recovery. It supports PST files created in Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, and previous versions. Let us have a look at the process of repairing PST file using this tool:
- Download and install Stellar Repair for Outlook from the official site.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to install it on your system.
- Launch the software and click on the “Select Outlook Data File” or “Browse” button to choose the corrupted PST file you want to repair.
- Once the PST file is selected, click on the “Scan” button to initiate the scanning process.
- After the scanning process is complete, you can preview all the recoverable mailbox items in a tree-like structure.
- From the preview window, you can select individual items or entire folders that you want to recover.
- Next, click on the “Save As” button to save the selected mailbox items.
- Select the desired format from the options. For example, PST.
- Select the destination folder where you want to save the repaired file and click on OK to complete the process.
Once the file is repaired, you can import it into Outlook using the Import and Export wizard.
Final Words
If Outlook data file (PST) corruption is not promptly resolved, it will eventually cause data loss. However, you can fix PST file corruption by using the Inbox Repair tool or ScanPST. This tool is suitable for minor corruption issues. In case of severe corruption, you can use a third-party PST repair tool, such as Stellar Repair for Outlook. It offers comprehensive PST repair capabilities and can recover all the mailbox data from damaged and corrupted PST files.
