Outlook Crashes or Closes Unexpectedly? Here’s How to Fix It

Outlook users very often face Outlook error 0x80070021 when they try to copy or back up the Outlook.pst file to another location. If users do not resolve this issue, they might face difficulty accessing their emails, contacts, and calendar data, or risk permanent data loss. This blog explains common causes and manual troubleshooting methods to fix Outlook error 0x80070021. Along with that, here you will learn how to use the Aryson Outlook PST Repair Tool to repair the corrupted PST files. Download Now   Purchase Now

Symptoms of Outlook PST Backup Error

Regular Microsoft Outlook users & businesses get to know about this issue when they face any of the following symptoms listed below. 

• They might see an error message 0x80070021 when trying to copy or back up the PST.
• For some, the PST file becomes completely inaccessible or locked. 
• Users might be unable to send or receive emails due to Outlook’s unresponsiveness.
• Moreover, an incomplete backup of PST files might stop midway. 
• Outlook might fail to launch properly or freeze whenever the PST file is locked or in use.
• Users might notice missing emails, contacts, or calendar items due to an underlying PST file corruption.

What Causes Outlook Error 0x80070021?

But a question might be residing in your mind, why are you even facing this error in the first place? Read the causes listed below to get your answers.

• The PST file might be actively locked or used by another application. 
• Antivirus programs, sync tools, or backup software running simultaneously. 
• Windows Search indexing the PST file in the background might cause access conflicts.
• Abnormal or forced termination of the Outlook program while it is running.
• Third-party applications like Lync or Skype for Business might hold access to the PST.
• The Outlook PST file exceeding the standard size limit might also cause an error.

Now, from the above causes, identify the reason you are facing error 0x80070021 Outlook. Refer to the upcoming fixes & choose a suitable method to resolve the issue as per the cause.

How to Fix Outlook Error 0x80070021?

As we have discussed the pre-migration details of the error, let us move on to the actual recovery process to eliminate the issue and proceed with the important tasks.

• Close All Outlook Background Processes via Task Manager
• Perform a Clean Boot to Eliminate Software Conflicts
• Advanced Software to Fix Outlook Error 0x80070021

Read through each of these methods carefully and try them as per the cause of the problem. In case the manual troubleshooting does not help you, it is better to use the automated software mentioned below for the same.

Fix 1: End all the Outlook Background Processes via Task Manager

You can open the Task Manager to check out the currently running background processes of Outlook. Just right-click on the tasks and choose the “End Task” option to close them. So, even after Outlook appears to be closed, it might be active in the background. This keeps the PST files locked and prevents any copy of the backup operation from taking place successfully. To avoid this kind of issue, follow the steps below and close the background tasks. 

Steps to Fix Outlook PST File Error

1. Close Outlook & press Ctrl + Alt + Del on your keyboard to open the options screen.
2. Click on Task Manager & select the More Details option to expand the full view.
3. Under the Processes tab, sort the list by names & Locate all Outlook-related processes.
4. Select each Outlook process one by one & click the End Task button to terminate it.
5. Also check for Lync & Skype for Business processes & close them using End Task.
6. Disable your antivirus program if it is actively running a scan.
7. At last, try to copy or back up the PST file to verify whether the error is resolved.

Fix 2: Perform a Clean Boot to Eliminate Software Conflicts

In a Clean Boot, Windows starts in normal mode but without non-essential third-party background applications or services loaded at startup. This method helps users to isolate software conflicts that might be locking the PST file & stopping a successful backup operation from getting complete on your system.

Simple Steps to Perform a Clean Boot

1. Press Windows + R, type msconfig in the Run dialog box, and click OK.
2. Click the Selective Startup option on the General tab and uncheck the Load Startup Items checkbox.
3. Navigate to the Services tab and check the Hide all Microsoft services checkbox.
4. Click Disable All to deselect all third-party services, then click Apply and OK.
5. Click Restart on the dialog box that appears to reboot the system in Clean Boot state.
6. After restarting, attempt to copy or back up the Outlook PST file to your desired location.
7. If the error is resolved, restore your original startup configuration via msconfig after copying.

Conclusion

In this blog, we discussed the possible reasons for Outlook error 0x80070021 and explored various manual troubleshooting methods to fix Outlook error 0x80070021. Along with that, we learnt how to use the automated software to repair corrupted PST files without any data loss. In case you face any issues when you use the software, contact our tech support team for personalized assistance.

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About The Author:

Mithilesh Tata

Mithilesh Tata is dedicated to making the lives of his customers as simple as possible. He enjoys learning about new applications and utilities that can help people protect their data. Mithilesh also has a strong grasp on email migration & data recovery. He enjoys validating every component of the software, technical materials, and anything else that has to do with his working life.

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