How to Repair OST File in Outlook – 7 Simple Steps

Microsoft Outlook is an essential tool for communication across various teams. Nevertheless, encountering Outlook errors is frustrating and distracting. Such errors typically occur due to abrupt system shutdowns, Outlook crashes, network instability, or interference with other processes. Fixing OST file errors is necessary to preserve productivity and ensure continuous access to Outlook data. In this blog, several solutions exist to repair OST files, including the implementation of a professional OST Recovery tool. These solutions aid in the recovery of access to Outlook files and the overall system performance.

Why You Need to Repair Corrupt OST File?

The following are the most important reasons why a corrupt OST file needs to be repaired:

• A corrupt OST file can render your data inaccessible. 
• Corruption tends to create sync errors between Outlook and servers.
• If not repaired in time, a corrupted OST can result in the loss of emails.
• A corrupt OST file can slow down Outlook or cause frequent crashes.
• A fixed OST guarantees seamless, unbroken access to every Outlook function.

Fixing an OST file guarantees data security, system performance, and uninterrupted email access.

How to Efficiently Repair OST File?

Fixing an OST file appears to be difficult at a glance. Hence, we present the best solutions for the task with good planning and action. First, we are familiar with how to perform the repair manually. Next, we’ll proceed to the direct solution.

Free Solution to Fix Corrupt OST File

If your OST file in Outlook is corrupted, Microsoft offers a few free and manual methods to fix the issue. It can repair the OST file and function properly in Outlook. Here’s the step-by-step guide to all the free methods you can use:

Method 1: Rebuild the OST File

When your OST file gets corrupted or results in sync problems. The best thing to do is to remove the file and let Outlook recreate a new one. This is safe if your mailbox is hosted on Exchange Server or Office 365, as the server will resync all data.

Steps: 

1. Before you do any modifications, ensure Outlook is shut down.
2. You have to locate the locally saved OST file on your computer:

C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook

1. Next, right-click on the OST file related to the broken profile.
2. Then, click on the Delete button to delete it.
3. Next, download and install Microsoft Outlook on your PC.
4. Outlook will detect by itself that the OST file is lost.
5. It will start a sync process and recreate a new OST file from the mailbox.

Note: Depending on your mailbox size and internet speed, this can take some time.

1. Once completed, your mailbox data will be restored, and Outlook should function normally.
2. Finally, restart the Outlook application on your system and check again.

When to Use:

• If you’re using Exchange, IMAP, or Microsoft 365 accounts.
• If you have a working server connection.

Method 2: Repair OST File by Using ScanPST.exe

Damaged PST or OST files can result in many Outlook issues. A default Inbox Repair Tool called ScanPST.exe can be used to fix issues in corrupted data files.

How to Repair PST/OST Files:

1. To begin with, close Outlook completely before proceeding to repair it.
2. Next, locate SCANPST.EXE (the Inbox Repair Tool), most likely located at

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\OfficeXX\

1. Thereafter, select the Start button to run the repair.
2. Once the scan is complete, click the Repair option to fix any errors that were detected.

Repairing corrupt data files should revive Outlook back to its regular performance.

When to Use:

• For minor corruption issues.
• If Outlook opens but is acting abnormally (slow, freezes, sync problems).

Method 3: Repair OST File by Using Outlook’s Safe Mode

Starting Outlook in Safe Mode is a troubleshooting technique that can fix the error. Safe Mode starts Outlook with a minimal configuration of features and disables add-ins, extensions, and customizations. These are the steps to start Outlook in Safe Mode and fix the problem:

To launch Outlook in safe mode:

1. First, shut down the Outlook application entirely from your system.
2. Then, hold down the Ctrl button and start the Outlook application.
3. A dialog box will pop up asking whether you want to start Outlook in Safe Mode. Click on Yes.
4. Outlook will now start in Safe Mode, and you will see Safe Mode in the application window title bar.
5. Try to open your calendar, emails, and other data in Outlook.
6. If the OST file exists without errors, then it’s likely that there was one of the add-ins or customizations that caused the issue.
7. If your OST file is syncing with an Exchange server or other mail service, observe the sync process to ensure everything is normal.
8. Once you have found and resolved the issue, you can return Outlook to its default state.
9. To start Outlook in normal mode, restart Outlook but without keeping the Ctrl keys.

When to Use:

• When Outlook does not open or crashes repeatedly.
• To exclude add-in conflicts as the reason for OST file corruption.

Method 4: Repair OST File by Using the Repair Option

A corrupted Outlook profile can cause numerous problems. You can attempt to repair the Outlook profile to resolve this.

How to repair Outlook:

1. 1. First, search Control Panel in the search box and tap Enter to run.
   2. Then, go to the Programs under the Control Panel.
   3. Later, tap on the Programs and Features option.
   4. Under the Programs and Features option, go to Microsoft Office.
   5. After choosing Microsoft Office, press the Change button.
   6. When you tap the Change button, two repair options will be displayed.
      a.Quick Repair
      b.Online Repair
   7. Once you choose Quick Repair or Online Repair, proceed with the on-screen instructions to finish the job.
   8. Once the repair is done, restart your computer to implement all changes.

When to Use:

• When Outlook or Office features are acting misbehaved.
• As a preventive measure after OST errors.

Method 5: Repair OST File by Archiving Old Outlook Data

Big OST files make Outlook slow, unresponsive, or even crash. Archiving outdated items clears up your mailbox, minimizes OST file size, and optimizes overall Outlook performance — particularly if you receive numerous emails per day.

Steps to archive Outlook data:

1. Download, install, and run the Outlook application on your desktop.
2. Ensure you’re logged into your email account and allow Outlook to load completely.
3. After that, go to the info section, followed by the file section.
4. Next, navigate to the Tools, then Clean Up Old Items.
5. This opens the Archive window, where you can choose folders and specify archiving options.
6. In the Archive window, choose the folder you want to organize.
7. Under Archive items older than, select a particular date.
8. The system will archive everything received or modified before this date.
9. Click Browse to choose where you’ll save the new archive PST file.
10. Outlook will begin relocating the chosen items into the new archive PST file.
11. In the end, verify all the data to reduce the chance of error.

When to Use:

• Enhances Outlook performance and responsiveness.
• Reduces the chance of OST file corruption.
• Takes care of your mailbox organization and management.

Effective and Instant Ways to Repair Corrupted Outlook OST Files

It is simple to fix an OST file by utilizing expert-level Outlook OST Recovery Software. The tool scans and extracts data from very damaged OST files in mere minutes and gives a preview of extracted data before saving. The tool is also ideal if an invalid data file causes a glitch. Moreover, the application is also applied for fixing several other Outlook problems, such as Outlook Error 0x800ccc0f. It also supports both Windows and Mac operating systems, providing flexibility to all users.

Simple Steps to Repair OST File Using Tool:

1. Download, install, and launch the OST Recovery tool on your system.
2. After that, choose the corrupted OST file from your local system.
3. Next, apply the Recovery Mode from the software.
4. Here, preview the data from the OST file to reduce the chance of error.
5. Next, apply the saving format from the system.
6. Now, provide the saving location of the resultant file format.
7. In the end, click the OK button to repair the OST file.

Conclusion

If you prefer an instant solution to repair OST file, you can go for a professional tool. However, you also have some manual steps that may be helpful to you. If the email is severely corrupted, skip all manual steps and use a professional tool directly. This tool assists you in fixing the error easily and offers an instant solution without any possibility of data loss.

Also Read : Recover Corrupt BKF File Data.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1.How do I know if my OST file is corrupted?

Ans: If an OST file gets corrupted, Outlook tends to begin behaving in abnormal ways. These signs may hinder your regular email operations and could be a sign that your OST file should be repaired or replaced.

• Recurring Outlook Crashes or Freezing
• Synchronization Problems
• Error Message: “Cannot Open Your Default Email Folders.”

2.Will I lose emails if I delete or repair the OST file?

Ans: No, if your email account is connected to a mail server (Exchange/IMAP/Office 365). The data will be re-synced from the server.

3.Can I convert OST to PST if it’s corrupted?

Ans: Yes, OST to PST converters are dedicated software applications that restore and fix faulty or inaccessible OST files. They recover data such as emails, contacts, and calendar items and transform them into a PST file. This is to make them easily accessible and recoverable in Outlook.

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