How to Fix Corrupt PST File of Microsoft Outlook?

Nothing is wrong in saying that Microsoft Outlook is the most preferred email client for the work communication. And its ability to ensure uninterrupted operations lies in its file formats viz. Offline Storage Table and Personal Storage Table. Both these file formats are responsible for the proper mailbox data management. It may be noted that .ost files are more secured than the .pst files due to encryption.

PST files are more likely to get corrupted as they are portable. When these crucial data files become corrupted, users may face issues in operating this email client. Factors that can lead to corruption in .pst files range from large file sizes and sudden system shutdowns to malware or virus attacks. To troubleshoot corruption in Outlook data file (.pst), the user can utilize built-in utility known as the ScanPST.exe (Inbox Repair Tool). But this utility has some limitations. This manual-method is time consuming. It is also best suitable for smaller files (2 GB or less). Most importantly, repair .pst using ScanPST also involves the risk of losing valuable data. If ScanPST fails, don’t worry! You can try third-party PST repair tools. This guide will explore how to fix corrupt PST file of Microsoft Outlook.

What Causes PST File Corruption?

It is always better to understand the root causes rather than jumping hurriedly to troubleshoot the error. Some factors that can lead to corruption issues in the .pst file are listed below:

• An oversized file: Every version of Outlook comes with a file size limit. The file size limit was 2 GB for 2002 and earlier versions. It enlarged to 20 GB in 2003 and 2007. Later it increased to 50 GB in Outlook 2010 and later versions. But with time, the file size grows due to the accumulation of data and metadata stored in it, leading to corruption.
• Sudden shutdown: Microsoft has delineated a method for appropriately shutting down the Outlook app. Failing to this may prevent the application from saving changes to the .pst file. This ultimately result in .pst file corruption.
• Power outage: A power failure while Outlook is running may lead to corruption issues in the .pst file. This sudden shutdown disturbs the read/write process of the data file. This disruption harms the data structure of the file, causing corruption.
• Conflicting add-ins: Sometimes the user sources plugins or add-ins to enhance efficiency. But these add-ins disturb the normal functioning of this email client, leading to .pst file corruption.
• Virus attack: Downloading an attachment containing a virus can result in PST file corruption.

Common Symptoms Indicating PST File Corruption:

After unearthing factors that can lead to corruption issues in Outlook data file (.pst), let’s move on to discuss its implication. Some key indicators of PST file corruption are listed below:

• Outlook fails to open: One of the major signs of such corruption in the .pst file is that the email client frequently displays error messages. Sometimes it fails to open at all.
• App crashes frequently: The email client crashes repeatedly when the user tries to access email messages or other mailbox content stored in the .ost file.
• Slow action deliverables: The app shows delays when prompting to access email messages, or performing actions like search.
• Missing email messages: Other prominent sign of corruption in the .pst file is disappearance of email messages or other inbox folders.
• Problems in syncing emails: The application also experience syncing email issues between Outlook and the server.

How to Fix Corrupt PST File of Microsoft Outlook?

We have explored that a corrupt Outlook data file (.pst) not only hinders the smooth operational flow of the application, but also poses a great risk to the valuable data stored in it. In this part of the guide, we will shed light on how to fix corruption issues in the .pst file using ScanPST.exe. This built-in utility first scans the header and internal file structure. After this, this utility check outs email messages, calendar entries and other mailbox folders for errors. Then, it diagnoses and then repairs the damaged .pst file.

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

• Shutdown the Outlook app and other associated processes. Wait and follow the prescribed procedure.
• Then locate and run the utility. It is located by default on the following locations:

1. MS Outlook Version: Scanpst Location 2016 and 2019: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16
2. 2013: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15

• After finding the utility, select the data file (.pst) and start the scan process.

• The utility will run multiple scans. Once scanning is done, it will exhibit errors and inconsistencies in the file.
• To fix the issue in the .pst file, press on the “Repair” tab.

• Create a backup file by clicking the checkbox option.
• Once the process is complete, ScanPST will display a summary of its findings. Review the results.

• Restart the Outlook application to verify if the repair process was successful.

Shortcomings of ScanPST:

Even though this built-in utility is provided by Microsoft, but it has some limitations. It is recommended for repairing files with low-level corruption (up to 2 GB). If the PST file corruption falls in the bracket of severe and complex categories, the utility may fail to fix the issue.

Its main limitations are listed below:

• Consumes lot of time: The utility first scans header. It then checks out structure, tables, blocks, messages, and folders of the Outlook data file (.pst). All this scanning consumes lot of productive hours.
• Best for small files: ScanPST is perfect for repairing small .pst files. It may fail to fix an oversized Outlook data file (.pst).
• Repairing file with complex corruption: This built-in utility may fail to repair a severelycorrupted data file like in case of a malware attack.
• Technical expertise: Running ScanPST requires expert-level awareness with all stages. Any miscalculation or skipping of step not only means repeat of the entire process but also loss of crucial data.
• Data loss: A major drawback of this manual method is risk of irreparable data loss.

What If Scanpst.exe Doesn’t Work?

Another query that may pop-up in the mind of an Outlook user ‘what to do if Scanpst fails?’ We have already discussed that this utility is best suited for cases involving low-level corruption. It is bound to fail in cases involving complex corruption. In such a case, we can utilize some third-party PST repair tool like Stellar Repair for Outlook. Powered with advance algorithm, these tools can address severecorruption cases including that of a virus attack. Such tools can recover even deleted or inaccessible mailbox items. Additionally, they also maintain the integrity and structure of your data.

Corruption in the PST files is devastating. It not only causes operational issues and crashes in the email client but also poses a risk to valuable data stored in such files. We have discussed causes of PST file corruption and its implications. We have also learned how to fix corrupt PST file of Microsoft Outlook using the built-in ScanPST. But this utility is best suited for repairing damaged .pst files with low-level corruption. It may fail to repair severely corrupt files. Such a situation demands a professional PST repair tool. Stellar Repair for Outlook is a reliable tool that features a friendly GUI. It is known for its quick repair speed. This utility can fix errors even in an oversized PST file. Most importantly, it maintains the integrity of the file. This powerful tool is capable of recovering those email items that were deleted even before the PST file’s corruption.