In short, offline access to email data in Cached Exchange Mode is made possible via OST files. Tools like Webbyacad.net, BLRTools.com, or the easy-to-use ToolsForge OST Viewer, which enables independent examination of damaged files, may be used to repair faulty OST files.
Why would you need an OST file?
Outlook ensures you always have the most recent information by syncing the data in the OST file with the Exchange Server when you are connected. Your ability to operate smoothly across online and offline contexts is made possible by this transparent and automated synchronization. By using Outlook’s Cached Exchange mode, you may additionally activate the OST file. Sometimes OST files become corrupted and what can I do in that situation. This blog guide to repair corrupted ost file proper step by step.
What makes repair corrupted ost file problematic?
Because it might keep you from accessing your mailbox data, corrupted OST files can be a major issue. Large OST file sizes, abrupt power outages, malware or virus assaults, and incorrect Outlook termination are some of the most frequent reasons of corrupted OST files. There are many problems that might arise from damaged OST files, such as:
- Outlook 365 won’t open OST files and access mailbox data; it will display error warnings while trying to synchronize the OST file with the Exchange server;
- Also, Outlook won’t open the Outlook data file, which will cause Outlook to abruptly stop or quit.
- Missing or erased emails in the inbox data.
- When dealing with an OST file, Outlook performs slowly or freezes.
How to Fix an Outlook OST File That Is Corrupt
Using Outlook’s built-in tools and capabilities, you may fix an OST file. To repair corrupted ost file, they are stated in the following order:
Solution 1: update the folder
You may manually update a specific folder in Outlook if there is a problem. In order to update the impacted folder, you must remove offline objects and establish a connection with the Exchange server. Observe the instructions provided:
- To update a folder, open Outlook and use the right-click menu.
Select Properties. - It will open in a dialog window. Select the Clear Offline Items option from this dialog box.
- Select OK.
- Select the Send/Receive tab, then select “Update Folder.”
Solution 2: Repair the OST file using Scan PST
The Outlook built-in program ScanPST.exe, sometimes known as the Inbox Repair tool, may be used to repair PST and OST files. To locate and fix the issues in your OST file, use this Outlook repair tool. By default, the ScanPST.exe may be found in the Outlook installation directory. Nevertheless, based on the version of Outlook you’re using, the precise position could change. See How to Find Scanpst.exe Location in Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010 & 2007 to find out where ScanPST.exe is located precisely.
Once ScanPST.exe is found on your computer, do the following actions:
- Launch ScanPST.exe.
- Click Browse and go to the location of the OST file you want to repair in the Microsoft Outlook Inbox Repair Tool window that appears.
- To begin the file’s scan, click Start.
- Make sure you have chosen the backup option after the scanning is finished, and then click Repair to fix the file.
- An alert window will appear upon the successful completion of the repair. Press OK.
- ScanPST will prompt you to reconstruct the file if it is unable to fix the OST file. If so, all you have to do is open Outlook and regenerate the OST file.
How Should I Proceed If the Above Solutions Don’t Work?
Occasionally, the aforementioned solutions prove ineffective. It isn’t possible to recreate the OST file, which would necessitate deleting certain files, if it contains offline things that aren’t on the server, for example. Extracting and exporting the OST data to an Outlook importable PST format is necessary in this scenario. Utilizing an external utility like ToolsForge OST converter is the most efficient and fastest method for retrieving data from an inaccessible or orphaned OST file.
What makes ToolsForge OST File Converter so special?
For converting OST to PST, ToolsForge Converter for OST is the ideal option. Its numerous unique qualities include its quick processing speed, simple operation, and user-friendly design. Numerous IT experts and Microsoft MVPs also endorse the program. It is the ideal program for converting OST files to PST because of these amazing features:
You may convert your OST file to a PST file with the aid of this specialized converter program, which works in almost all situations.
- Risk-free conversion procedure;
- Support for encrypted file conversion;
- Free file preview before conversion;
- Support for organizing messages in Better Mail;
- Free conversion of up to 20 emails per folder;
User-friendly customization choices
- Has the ability to convert contacts, calendars, emails, notes, and journals.
- Compatible with Microsoft Office 2019 (2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2003, 2002 (XP), 2000
- Allows converted emails to be saved in several formats (EML, MSG, RTF, PDF or HTML).
Why does a corrupted OST file occur?
An OST file may become corrupt for a number of reasons. Among the most typical reasons are:
Sudden power outage:
One of the most frequent causes of corrupted OST files is an unexpected power outage. The OST file may get damaged if a computer crashes without warning while Outlook is active or while it is synchronizing the OST file with the Exchange Server.
Attacks by viruses or malware:
Malware and viruses have the ability to seriously harm computer systems, including OST files. The OST file may be corrupted or erased if a computer is infected with a virus or other malicious software.
Incorrect termination of Outlook:
Corrupted OST files may result from incorrect termination of Outlook, which can happen when the computer crashes or the software is forced to quit. Find out how to save a backup of your Outlook emails on an external disk.
Huge OST file size:
An OST file may be more prone to corruption as it becomes larger. The reason for this is that bigger files are more likely to produce errors or system failures since they are more complicated and need more resources to maintain. In these cases, it is recommended to split and convert OST file into PST files.
Problems with network connectivity:
Outlook 365 is unable to synchronize emails if it is experiencing problems connecting to the Exchange server. Such problems with the connection might ruin the OST file.
Problems with the Outlook software:
Corrupt OST files may arise from problems with the Outlook software itself, such as out-of-date software, glitches, or incompatibilities with other software programs. Incompatible add-ins or an unsupported Outlook version may be the cause if Outlook is refreshing the inbox but not receiving emails.
Storage device problems:
OST files may get corrupted due to a hard drive failure or other issues with the storage device that holds the OST files.
Human error:
Corrupting an OST file might result from unintentionally erasing or relocating related files, or from making modifications to the file outside of Outlook. Check out the solutions for the “Outlook data file cannot be accessed” issue.
Lastly, some words:
ToolsForge Repair OST File Tool is the best program for repair corrupted ost file, as this blog makes abundantly evident. A sophisticated tool is needed since manual approaches don’t provide users a suitable answer. It’s also possible to obtain a free demo version of this program.
FAQ
Can I fix an OST file using ToolsForge?
The purpose of the Scanpst.exe tool is to help fix problems with Outlook OST and PST offline folders. OST file repair is possible using this built-in program.
How can I use Outlook 2016 to recover an OST file?
Observes the Procedure for OST File Restoration
- Start Outlook.
- Choose File > Info.
- The Account Settings menu will show you Microsoft Exchange.
- Open the settings box, choose More Settings, and then the Advanced tab.
- One must choose the offline folder file settings.
- Click OK after choosing a place to save the Outlook.ost file.
- Click the Finish button to complete the process.
What causes damaged OST files?
An abrupt network connection, an unexpected power outage, an oversized Outlook data file, storage media failure, an incompatible Outlook plug-in, and virus infection may all cause the OST file to become damaged.
What tool is available to repair corrupted OST file?
The best tool for properly repairing corrupted problems is OST Recovery, which can scan damaged OST files using an advanced scanning technique.
[…] ToolsForge OST to PST converter can convert any kind of OST file, even compressible and encrypted ones. It can also restore lost or corrupted data from your corrupted OST file. […]