How Do I Repair Corrupt OST File

Online storage table (OST) files are used offline to compose emails, view existing emails, delete emails, create reminders, and perform other tasks. Once internet connectivity is available, all changes made to the OST file will be synchronized to the Exchange Server.

The OST file is prone to corruption, no matter how helpful it is. The OST might be corrupted due to virus infection, incorrect Outlook shutdown, power surge difficulties, and other factors. Let’s have a look at how to repair an OST file using the methods described here.

How to repair an OST file in Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, and 2010 

The four most effective ways for repairing a corrupt OST file are shown below.

1. Inbox Repair Utility (Scanpst)

2. OST file re-creation technique

3. Launch Outlook in Safe Mode

4. Use Aryson OST Recovery

If you are searching for a quick way to repair an OST file using a trusted tool like OST Recovery, it is suggested that you watch this video.

Method 1. Repair OST File using Inbox Repair Tool (Scanpst.exe)

ScanPST.exe, also known as the Inbox Repair Tool, is an Outlook built-in application that can repair PST and OST files. You may use this Outlook Inbox repair tool to locate and fix problems in your OST file. ScanPST.exe is often found in the Outlook installation directory. However, depending on the version of Outlook you’re using, the actual position may differ. The precise location of ScanPST.exe is as follows:

In MS Outlook 2019

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\

In MS Outlook 2016

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16

In MS Outlook 2013

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15

In MS Outlook 2010

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14

In MS Outlook 2007

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12

Steps to Repair Corrupt OST File using Scanpst.exe

Repair a corrupt OST file with the Scanpst.exe tool, also known as the Outlook Inbox Repair tool, if you use Outlook 2007, 2013, 2016, or 2019.

1. Locate and run the Scanpst.exe tool.
2. Click the Browse button to choose a corrupt OST file or Outlook Data File you wish to repair, then click the Start button.
3. Finally, check or tick Make a backup of the scanned file before fixing it and then click the Repair button.

When the Outlook OST file repair procedure is finished, you may open Microsoft Outlook to retrieve your OST file data such as emails, contacts, notes, and so on. However, in some situations, after restoring the OST file, you may need to take further steps to restore emails, contacts, and other Outlook objects.

Method 2. Fixing OST File by Re-creating OST File

There may be times when you cannot access your Exchange account due to server unavailability or breakdown. For example, if you need to access email data, but the OST file is destroyed (corrupted) or otherwise unavailable, you can re-create it. The OST files are copies of objects saved on a mail server; therefore, you can recreate an OST file to resolve the problem.

Steps to Recreate OST File to Fix Corrupt OST File

1. Press the Windows+R keys.
2. Now, in the Open box, type or paste %LOCALAPPDATA%Microsoft\Outlook and press OK.
3. This will identify all of the OST files that are currently available on your Windows machine. Right-click on the corrupt OST file and choose Delete.
4. Now, launch Microsoft Outlook to generate a healthy OST file.

This way, you may recreate your OST file to repair OST file corruption and retrieve Outlook data. However, if the Outlook folders or objects, such as emails, were not synchronized with the Exchange server, this technique will not restore them.

Suppose your OST file is still corrupt after using the techniques listed above. The only proven way to repair an OST file without danger is to convert it to the PST file format using Aryson OST Recovery Software, allowing you to restore all of your Outlook objects, including the original structure and rules.

Method 3. Repair Corrupt OST File by Run Outlook in Safe Mode

If an incompatible or damaged add-in causes the problem, you can try starting MS Outlook in safe mode and then disabling all add-ins. Once all Outlook add-ins are disabled, export the OST data to PST for backup.

Step 1: Go to the Start menu and select Run.

Step 2: In the Run box, enter Outlook.exe/safe.

Step 3: Click OK to proceed, and Outlook will launch in safe mode.

Note: The primary purpose of starting MS Outlook in safe mode is to disable any add-ins that may have caused errors during the rebooting procedure.

This command will not do the repairing of OST files but provide access to inaccessible OST files.

Method 4. Repair an OST File by using OST Recovery

Aryson OST Recovery is sophisticated software that recovers all of your OST file data, including emails, contacts, notes, and other Outlook objects, from a corrupted or inaccessible OST file.

It uses advanced scanning mode to convert corrupt OST files into healthy PST files. As a result, all Outlook objects are simply accessible, and you can even transfer Outlook to a new machine.

Steps to Repair Corrupted OST File 

1. Install and run the OST Repair Software.
2. Select a corrupted OST file by clicking the Browse button.
3. To Scan an OST File, select the Recovery Mode.
4. To preview the recovered OST mailbox items, click on Recovered OST Mailbox Items.
5. Save the restored OST file as a PST file.

If scanpst.exe fails to fix your MS Outlook OST file, your only alternative is to use third-party software OST File Recovery. Using this tool, you will be able to not only repair your faulty OST files but also immediately convert them to PST.

Conclusion

When an Outlook OST file becomes corrupt, you may fix it using Outlook’s built-in ScanPST.exe tool. You may also delete the OST file and recreate it by connecting it to your Exchange mailbox. However, if the OST file is inaccessible or Outlook is not functioning correctly, utilizing an OST File Repair Tool like Aryson OST Recovery is the best solution for safely recovering the data from corrupt OST files. It also converts OST to PST, EML, MSG, MBOX including all email attachments.

FAQ

Will scanpst repair OST file?

The Scanpst.exe utility is intended to assist in the repair of Outlook offline folder (.ost) and personal folder (.pst) file issues. It is an inbuilt tool that is suitable for repairing OST files.

How do I restore an OST file in Outlook 2016?

Follows the Steps to Restore an OST File

• Launch Outlook.
• Navigate to File > Info.
• Select Microsoft Exchange from the Account Settings menu.
• Go to More Settings and then the Advanced tab in the settings box.
• Offline folder file settings should be selected.
• Select a location to store the Outlook.ost file and then click OK.
• Finish by clicking the Finish button.

Why do OST files get corrupted?

The OST file becomes corrupt as a result of erroneous Outlook termination, an oversize Outlook data file, storage media failure, an incompatible Outlook plug-in, an abrupt network connection, an unexpected power loss, and virus infection.

How do I fix Outlook OST error?

Follow the Steps to Fix OST Error of Outlook
1. Close Outlook and navigate to one of the following folders:

• Outlook 2007: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12
• Outlook 2010: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14
• Outlook 2013: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15
• Outlook 2016: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16
• Outlook 2019: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16

2. Launch SCANPST.EXE.
3. Click Browse and navigate to the Outlook Data File (.ost) you wish to scan. See Locating Outlook Data Files for assistance in locating your Outlook Data File.
4. Press the Start button to begin the scan.
5. If the scan reveals any problems, choose Repair to begin the repair procedure.
6. When the repair has finished, launch Outlook using the profile associated with the Outlook Data File that you just fixed.

Which application is used to resolve corrupted OST?

OST Recovery is an ideal application used to scan corrupted OST files with advanced scanning mode and resolve corrupted issues successfully.

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