Fortunately, there are several methods you can use to fix this problem and get Outlook back up and running smoothly. In this article, we’ll look at the different things that can cause this error and give you step-by-step instructions on how to deal with it.
Firstly, it’s important to understand what the message means. Essentially, it indicates that there’s a corrupted Outlook OST file. OST file corruption can happen for various reasons, such as:
- the improper shutdown of Microsoft Outlook;
- malware or virus attacks;
- hardware failure;
- exceeding the maximum size limit of the data file.
Let’s talk about what you can do about this.
Markers That Indicate Problems with OST Files
When using offline Outlook data files, it’s often important to not only use best practices to keep them performing well but also to know how to identify issues before they get out of hand. Look out for the following signs:
- Outlook crashes or freezes frequently.
- The OST file size is too large and keeps increasing.
- There are errors in the synchronization of the OST file with the Microsoft Exchange server.
- Emails, contacts, or other data are missing from the OST file.
- Outlook prompts for a password repeatedly, even if it is correct.
- The OST file takes a long time to load or open.
- Outlook shows errors related to the OST file, such as “Cannot open your default email folders. The file xxxx.ost is not an offline folder file”.
- The mailbox is not updating with the latest emails, calendar appointments, or contacts.
Solutions To Fix “Errors Have Been Detected in The File Outlook.ost” Issue
Depending on the nature of the problem, users can choose from several methods to fix the “Errors have been detected in the file Outlook ost” issue and ensure uninterrupted access to their emails.
This section will explore some of the most popular solutions to OST file errors, including creating a new Outlook profile, using the inbox repair tool, and recreating offline data in the OST file.
Method 1: Backup
Most Outlook users often have important data stored in their OST files. As a precautionary measure, creating a backup copy of your OST file is always a good idea. This will ensure that your data is safe and can be restored if something goes wrong.
To create a backup copy of your OST file, here are the steps to follow:
- Close Outlook and any other programs that might be accessing the OST file.
- Open your OST file location: Go to Control Panel > Mail > File > Account Settings > Data Files.
- Right-click on your OST file and select Copy.
- Paste the copy of your OST file into a safe location, like an external hard drive or the cloud.
You should regularly create backups of your OST file to ensure that your data is always protected.
Method 2: Repair a Corrupted OST File Via Outlook Inbox Repair Tool
Errors may indicate that your offline Outlook Data File is corrupted. Fortunately, Microsoft Outlook comes with a built-in tool that can help restore OST files. This tool is called the Inbox Repair Tool (Scanpst).
Here’s how you can use it to fix corrupt files when Outlook errors have been detected in the file .ost:
- Close Outlook and any other programs that might be accessing your OST file.
- Open the folder where the inbox repair utility is located. You can find the tool using this path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\OfficeXX, where XX is the version of Microsoft Office you’re using (like 19 for Office 2016, 365 for Office 365).
- Double-click on the Scanpst.exe file to open the repair tool.
- In the Inbox Repair Tool, select the corrupted OST file by clicking the Browse button.
- Click on the Start button to initialize the process.
- After the repair is complete, restart Outlook to see if the problem is resolved.
If the Inbox Repair Tool fails, check out a third-party data recovery tool designed for this.
Method 3: Creating A New Outlook Profile
Another solution to fix the “Errors detected in the file Outlook.ost” issue is creating a new Outlook profile, which may be needed after you update Outlook. Let’s get into how one creates a new Outlook profile:
- Go to the control panel after closing Outlook.
- Click on the “Mail” icon and “Show Profiles”.
- Click on the “Add” button to create a new profile.
- Name the new profile and click “OK.”
- Follow the on-screen prompts to configure the new profile.
- Open Outlook and check to see if the error is resolved.
Method 4: Recreate Offline Data In The OST File
If none of the above methods work, there is another one to try: recreate your offline data in the OST file. To do this you need to:
- Close Outlook and go to the Control Panel.
- Click the “Mail” icon and then “Data Files”.
- Choose your OST file and select “Settings.”
- Click on “Advanced” and select “Offline Folder File Settings.”
- Click on the “Compact Now” button to compact the OST file.
- After compacting, open Outlook and see if an error occurs.
You may want to delete corrupted OST file after creation of new one.
Method 5: Convert OST To PST
You can try to convert OST to PST to restore the offline Outlook Data File and access your mailbox data. For this purpose, you will have to use a specialized converter. To convert the OST file to a PST file:
- Download and install a reliable third-party tool.
- Launch the tool, open file location and pick the necessary OST.
- Make the PST file format your output.
- Select where you want to save the new PST file.
- Click the ‘Convert’ button to start the process.
In case you ever need to recover your PST file, remember that there are also tools that can help you with that. Here is an example.
Method 6: Open MS Outlook In Safe Mode
Opening Outlook in Safe Mode might be the answer if all else fails. Sometimes, incompatible Outlook add-ins may be the culprit. This mode disables all add-ins and extensions, allowing you to identify and troubleshoot any issues. To open Outlook in Safe Mode, follow these steps:
- Press and hold the ‘Ctrl’ key on your keyboard and click the Outlook icon to open it.
- Select the profile you want to open and click ‘OK’.
- Outlook will now open in Safe Mode, and you can proceed with your troubleshooting.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the “Outlook errors have been detected in the file” issue can be a frustrating and time-consuming problem However, fixing this error and recovering your data is possible with the right knowledge and tools. The solutions we have provided in this article are reliable and simple. If nothing works, try getting help from a professional to avoid wasting more time or losing data.