If you are having issue with Outlook being not able to open an OST File, it is important to know the real cause of the happening. There are many factors that are responsible for this. Fix problems where an Outlook OST file won’t open and stop them from happening again with effective solutions.
Common Causes for Inaccessible Outlook OST Files
Let’s have a look at some common reasons why Outlook might not be able to open OST files and some useful ways to fix the issue.
There can be various reasons when Outlook Cannot Open OST file. To fix this problem, it is important to know about these reasons.
- Corrupted OST File: A sudden system shutdown or other issues can corrupt the OST file, making it difficult to open in Outlook.
- Orphan OST File Issue: If Outlook 365 cannot connect to the Exchange server, the OST file becomes orphaned and become unsynchronized.
- Incompatibility with Outlook Version: Using an outdated Outlook version that does not support the OST file format may cause it from opening.
- Unexpected Shutdown: Sudden system or Outlook shutdowns can damage the OST file, making emails inaccessible.
- Large OST File Size: A very large OST file can cause performance issues and stop Outlook from opening it.
- Antivirus Firewall Issue: Antivirus programs may cause interruptions with the OST file, blocking Outlook’s accessibility.
- Network Connectivity Issues: Poor network connectivity or server problems can stop Outlook from accessing the OST file.
Methods to Fix the Outlook OST File Cannot be Opened Issue
Discover effective solutions to fix this frustrating issue. Learn how to repair your OST file, troubleshoot Outlook settings, and recover lost data.
Method 1: Close all Outlook and Its Processes via Task Manager
Shut down Outlook and its processes using Task Manager to fix problems. Below are the steps.:
- In the Processes tab, locate the Outlook processes and select them.
- Click on the End Task button to close this process.
- Restart Outlook account and try to open the OST file again.
Method 2: Run Outlook in Safe Mode
Outlook running in Safe Mode can help finding out if any add-ins are blocking the OST file from opening. Let’s describe process steps.
Step 1: Press Win + R key to open the Run dialog box.
Step 2: Type “outlook.exe /safe” command on it and press ok.
Step 3: Outlook will appear in Safe Mode without any add-ins in it.
Step 4: To troubleshoot the issue, open the OST file in Safe Mode.
Method 3: Disable Add-ins
Disabling add-ins in Outlook can help determine if any of them are causing the “Outlook OST file cannot be opened” issue. To use this method, follow these steps:
- Open Outlook and go to the File menu and select Options icon.
- Select and click on Add-ins button, click on Manage COM Add-ins.
- Click OK after unchecking add-in boxes.
- Close Outlook and restart it again to see if the OST file is working fine without having any issues.
Method 4: Change and update Outlook
Updating to the latest version of Outlook can resolve known issues and improve compatibility with other programs. To update Outlook, follow these steps:
- Start by opening Outlook and navigating to the File menu.
- Go to your Office Account setting, click Update Options, and update Now.
- Now, Outlook will look for updates, install them if they are found.
- Now if the update is done, open Outlook again and try to open the OST file again.
Drawbacks of Manual methods:
- The manual methods are very long, hard to understand, and takes a lot of time.
- To do this process, user need to haves some technical understanding.
- It doesn’t make sure that the data is safe and accurate.
Professional Ways to Fix Outlook OST File Cannot be Opened
SacnPST.exe can fix the “Outlook OST file cannot be opened” error if none of the above methods work. SacnPST.exe only addresses minor OST file issues. To fix and recover a damaged OST file and the data contained within a PST file, it is always best to use Professional OST Recovery software.
WebbyAcad Tools offers the most reliable OST recovery solution on the market. It can easily repair corrupt or damaged OST files, ensuring the seamless recovery of your important email data. Unlike other tools, WebbyAcad OST Recovery Software uses advanced algorithms to thoroughly scan and extract data from even the most severely corrupt OST files.
Conclusion Thoughts:
Many a times users can be frustrated by “Outlook OST file cannot be opened,” issues. This issue can be effectively rectify if user know the right steps to take and the appropriate tools to use. By learning about the most common causes of this problem and using effective ways of fixing this issue, you can successfully solve it.