EdbMails EDB Recovery and Migration software
  • Reseller
  • Free Trial
  • Video Tutorials
  • Support
  • FAQ
  • Free Tools
  • Knowledge Base
  • Products
    Exchange EDB / Email Recovery Tools
    • EDB Recovery and MigrationRecover EDB to PST, EDB to Office 365 and Exchange NO Duplicate Migration
    • OST Recovery and MigrationRecover OST to PST, OST to Office 365 and Exchange Migration
    • PST Recovery and MigrationRecover Outlook PST, PST to Office 365 and Exchange Migration
    • MBOX Export and MigrationExport MBOX to PST, MBOX to Office 365 and Exchange Migration
    • NSF Export and MigrationExport NSF to PST, NSF to Office 365 and Exchange Migration
    Exchange and Office 365 Migration
    • Exchange Server MigrationMigrate Exchange 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019 to Office 365 tenants. Also, migrate between Exchange servers and PST
    • Office 365 MigrationMigrate Source Office 365 tenants to Destination Office 365 tenants. Also, migrate to Exchange Server and PST
    • IMAP Email Backup & MigrationMigrate all IMAP email servers (Gmail, Zimbra, Zoho, Yahoo etc.), Office 365, Exchange and Backup to Outlook PST
    • SharePoint Online MigrationMigrate documents, files and folders from SharePoint sites
    • OneDrive for Business MigrationMigrate documents, files and folders from OneDrive
    • Microsoft Teams MigrationMigrate Teams, documents, files and folders etc.
    Exchange and Office 365 Backup
    • Office 365 BackupIncremental, Granular, Encrypted and Compressed Office 365 Mailboxes Backup
    • Exchange Server BackupIncremental, Granular, Encrypted and Compressed Exchange Mailboxes Backup
    • SharePoint, OneDrive & Teams BackupBackup Online site collections, Team sites, Office 365 groups, all documents etc.
    • Duplicate Remover - Office 365 & Exchange Remove duplicate emails, calendars, contacts, journal etc. from Office 365 and Exchange
    • GAL and All Address Lists migrationDirectly migrate Exchange and Office 365 Global address list and Address Lists items
    Go to products
  • Pricing
  • Features
  • Download
  • Account
    1. Home
    2. Product
    3. How to fix the issue ‘Errors have been detected in OST file’?

    Errors have been detected in the OST

    Steps to resolve the errors detected in the file OST

User Manual

  • Overview
  • System Requirements
  • Installation
    • Installation process
    • Reinstall or Upgrade
    • How to uninstall
  • Initial Setup
  • FAQ
    • OST to PST
    • OST to Office 365 Migration
    • OST to Exchange Migration
  • Videos
    • OST to PST Converter
    • OST to Office 365 Migration
    • OST to Exchange Migration
  • Screenshots
    • OST to PST
    • OST to Office 365 Migration
    • OST to Exchange Migration
  • How it works?
    • OST to PST Converter
    • OST to Office 365 Migration
    • OST to Exchange Migration
  • Connect to Exchange server for multiple mailboxes migration
    • Connect with Global Admin
    • Connect to multiple users using CSV file
    • Connect using full access permission
    • Connect individual users for Single / Specific user Migration
  • Connect to Hosted Exchange for its Migration
    • Connect with Full Access permissions
    • Using multiple user credentials with CSV file
    • Connecting to Individual user for its migration
  • Connect to Office 365
    • Modern Authentication Using OAuth 2.0
      • Microsoft 365 modern authentication
      • Automatic Registration
      • Manual Registration
    • Connect with Global Admin
    • Connect to Office 365 with full access permission
    • Connect to Office 365 with CSV file option
    • Connect to Office 365 as single user mailbox
  • Set Exchange Server Impersonation rights
    • Exchange 2007 and below
    • Exchange 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019
    • Set using Exchange Server GUI
  • Knowledge Base
    • Corrupt OST file recovery
    • Unicode and ANSI OST format
    • Split OST file
    • Rebuild OST file
    • Exchange mailbox backup
    • Recover orphaned OST file
    • Recover all Exchange and Outlook OST files
    • Recover metadata and attachments
    • Export unlimited OST files to PST
    • Free OST file viewer
    • Granular recovery of OST file
    • Recover encrypted OST file
    • Recover deleted mailboxes from OST
    • Export email, calendars, contacts
    • Selective OST export
    • Migrate OST to Office 365
    • OST to Live Exchange
    • Outlook OST cannot be accessed
    • Log report
    • Fix Outlook not connecting to server error
    • Fix Outlook the set of folders cannot be opened
    • Fix Outlook not syncing error
    • Outlook Cached Exchange mode
    • Fix Outlook data file cannot be accessed
    • Fix the error Outlook inbox not updating
    • Your mailbox has been temporarily moved on Exchange server
    • Open OST file in Outlook
    • Repair corrupted OST files from Outlook 365
    • Save Outlook emails to hard drive
    • Import OST file into Outlook
    • Your Outlook data file cannot be configured
    • Errors have been detected in the OST
  • Incremental Migration
  • Exchange Throttling Policy
  • Set Office 365 Impersonation rights
    • Using PowerShell commands
    • Using Office 365 GUI
  • Map the Mailboxes
  • Multifactor Authentication
    • Enable MFA in Office 365
    • Create App password for MFA
    • Disable Security Defaults

Troubleshooting Outlook OST errors

If you use Microsoft Outlook as your primary email client, you may have encountered the error message ‘Errors have been detected in the OST file’. This error message can be frustrating and can prevent you from accessing your Outlook data. The OST file is a critical component of Outlook, and when it becomes corrupted or damaged, you may experience problems when using the software. In this blog post, we will explore what causes this error, its symptoms, and how to fix it.

An Offline Storage Table File (.ost) is a local file that Outlook stores on your computer when you set up an Exchange email account on Outlook. The OST file is synchronized with the mailbox server and enables you to access your emails, contacts and other mail items even when a connection to the internet is not available.

Now, when you try to access your email account on Outlook, you may get the following error message:

Errors have been detected in the file C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook\username@email.com.ost. Quit Outlook and all mail-enabled applications and then use the Inbox repair tool (Scanpst.exe) to diagnose and repair errors in the file. For more information about the Inbox repair tool, see Help.

Outlook data file OST cannot be opened

QUICK LINKS

OST to PST converter toolRecover orphaned OST fileOST to Live ExchangeFix Outlook not syncing errorFix the error Outlook inbox not updatingRecover metadata and attachments

What causes errors in the Outlook OST file?

The main reason for the issue ‘Errors have been detected’ is a corruption of the OST file. The OST file errors can also be caused due to virus infection, Outlook crash, oversized Outlook data files, synchronization failure with the Exchange server.

Here are the most common reasons for ‘Outlook errors have been detected in the file OST’:

  1. Sudden shutdown of Outlook: If Outlook crashes or shuts down unexpectedly, it can corrupt the OST file, leading to the error message.
  2. Malware or virus infection: Malware or virus infections can corrupt files, including the OST file. If your computer is infected with malware or a virus, it can cause the error message.
  3. Large OST file size: If your OST file is too large, it can cause Outlook to become unresponsive or crash, leading to the error message.
  4. Hard drive issues: If your hard drive has bad sectors, it can cause corruption to the OST file and other files on your computer.

Symptoms of the Outlook error message ‘Errors have been detected in the file’

When the OST file becomes corrupted, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Outlook crashes or freezes frequently.
  • You can't open Outlook, or it takes a long time to start.
  • You can't access your emails, contacts, or calendar data.
  • The OST file is missing from your computer.

How to resolve Outlook errors detected in an OST file?

To resolve the Outlook error in the OST file, you can use the Inbox repair Tool (ScanPST) to perform OST repair or use EdbMails OST to PST converter to convert the OST file to PST.

Here are some of the most effective methods to resolve the issue ‘Outlook data file errors have been detected in the file’

  • Method 1: Restart and open Outlook in Safe Mode
  • Method 2: Repair OST file using Inbox Repair Tool
  • Method 3: Delete and recreate Outlook profile
  • Method 4: Repair OST file and convert OST to PST

Method 1: Restart and open Outlook in Safe Mode

When faulty or incompatible add-ins interfere with Outlook's operation, the application may hang or crash, resulting in the corruption of the Outlook data file. In this case, it is highly recommended to disable or remove these Outlook Add-ins completely.

  • Step 1: Close Outlook and all related processes
    • Close Outlook if it's open.
    • Restart your computer to clear any temporary files or processes that might be causing the error.
  • Step 2: Open Outlook in Safe Mode
    • Press and hold the ‘Ctrl’ key on your keyboard, and then click on the Outlook icon to open it.
    • When prompted, click on ‘Yes’ to start Outlook in Safe Mode.
    • In Safe Mode, try to access your emails, contacts, or calendar data to see if the error message still appears.
  • Step 3: Disable the Outlook Add-ins
    • If the error message doesn't appear in Safe Mode, it's likely caused by an add-in.
    • Click on the ‘File’ tab in Outlook, and then select ‘Options’
    • Click on ‘Add-ins’ in the left-hand pane.
    • In the ‘Manage’ box at the bottom of the screen, select ‘COM Add-ins,’ and then click on the ‘Go’ button.
    • Clear the check box next to each add-in in the list, and then click on ‘OK’
    • Restart Outlook normally and see if the error message has been resolved.

      outlook-addin-option

Method 2: Repair OST file using Inbox Repair Tool

If the first method doesn't work, you can try repairing the OST file using the Inbox Repair Tool, which is also known as scanpst.exe. This tool is built into Outlook and can help fix errors in the file.

  • Step 1: Close Outlook
    • Close Outlook and make sure it's not running in the background.
  • Step 2: Find the Inbox Repair Tool
    • Open File Explorer and navigate to the following location: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\OfficeXX, where ‘XX’ is the version number of your Office installation.
    • Look for a file named scanpst.exe and double-click on it to open it.

      Find the Inbox Repair Tool

  • Step 3: Select the OST file to repair
    • In the Inbox Repair Tool, click on the ‘Browse’ button and navigate to the location of your OST file.
    • By default, the OST file is located at: C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook, where ‘username’ is your Windows username.
    • Select the OST file and click on ‘Open’
  • Step 4: Repair the OST file
    • Click on the ‘Start’ button to begin the scanning and repair process.
    • The tool analyzes the file for errors and prompts you to repair any errors it finds.
    • Click on the ‘Repair’ button to fix the errors.
    • After the repair process is complete, open Outlook and see if the error message has been resolved.

    ScanPST is a built-in utility in Microsoft Outlook that can be used to repair corrupted PST and OST files. However, there are some limitations to using ScanPST for repairing Outlook OST files:

    1. Limited repair capabilities: ScanPST is designed to repair only minor issues with the OST file. It may not be able to fix severe or complex corruption in the OST file, and in some cases, may even cause data loss.
    2. Data loss risk: When repairing an OST file with ScanPST, there is a risk of data loss. The tool may delete some of your data during the repair process, and it is important to create a backup of your OST file before using ScanPST to repair it.
    3. Slow performance: ScanPST can be slow to repair large OST files. The process can take a long time, and if the OST file is severely corrupted, the tool may not be able to fix it.

Method 3: Delete and recreate the Outlook profile

If the first two methods don't work, you can try deleting and recreating your Outlook profile. By creating a new profile, Outlook reconfigures the settings and synchronizes the emails with the Exchange server.

  • Step 1: Backup your data
    • Before deleting your Outlook profile, make sure to back up your data, including your emails, contacts, and calendar data.
    • You can export your data to a PST file by clicking on the ‘File’ tab in Outlook, selecting ‘Open & Export’, and then clicking on ‘Import/Export'.
  • Step 2: Delete the existing Outlook profile
    • Close Outlook and open the Control Panel on your computer.
    • Select ‘User Accounts’ and then click on ‘Mail (Microsoft Outlook)’
    • Click on ‘Show Profiles’ and select the profile you want to delete.
    • Click on ‘Remove’ and then confirm that you want to delete the profile.
    • Repeat this process for any other Outlook profiles on your computer.

      show profile

      Delete the existing Outlook profile

  • Step 3: Create a new Outlook profile
    • Open the Control Panel in your computer
    • Click on ‘Mail (Microsoft Outlook)’ and then click on ‘Add’ to create a new profile.
    • Enter a name for the profile and click on ‘OK’
    • Follow the prompts to configure the profile with your email account information.
    • After the profile has been created, open Outlook and see if the error message has been resolved.

      Create a new Outlook profile

    Note: When you create a new Outlook profile, you will need to reconfigure your email account settings and set up your email account from scratch. Any data that is not synced with the email server or stored locally in the OST file may be lost. In such cases converting OST to PST with EdbMails solution is the best option as described in the following section.

Method 4: Repair OST file and convert OST to PST

EdbMails OST to PST Converter is a reliable and efficient tool that can help you to fix Outlook OST corruption issues and recover your data quickly and easily. The tool has several features that make it an ideal solution for users who need to recover data from their OST file.

Here are the steps to fix the Outlook OST errors with EdbMails:

  • Step 1: Download EdbMails OST converter
    • Install EdbMails OST converter tool by following the on-screen setup instructions
    • Select ‘Start Your Free Trial’ and select the OST recovery and conversion option

      Choose OST Recovery

  • Step 2: Browse the OST file to repair and converter
    • Browse and select the OST file from your computer that you want to repair
    • EdbMails analyzes the OST file for errors and can repair corrupted, orphaned and damaged OST files.

      browse for ost file

  • Step 3: Scan and preview the OST file data
    • After the scanning process is complete, EdbMails displays a preview of the data in the OST file.
    • You can select the folders and items that you want to recover and convert to a PST file.

     Tip: EdbMails includes advanced filter and folder options that enable you to select mail items based on date, sender, and recipient, as well as select specific folders to export from the OST file.

    Select the mailboxes to Export

  • Step 4: Select the mail items and convert OST to PST
    • Click on the ‘Export OST to PST’ button to begin the conversion process.
    • The tool converts the selected data to a PST file.
    • After the conversion process is complete, you can import the PST file into Outlook and access your data.

    Here are some of the benefits of using EdbMails for repairing and converting OST to PST files:

    1. Efficient scanning: EdbMails uses a powerful algorithm to scan your OST file for any errors and corruption. The tool can identify and fix any issues with the OST file, ensuring that your data is restored correctly.
    2. Preview feature: EdbMails enables you to preview the data in your OST file before converting it to a PST file. This feature helps you to select the folders and items that you want to convert to a Personal Storage Table file.
    3. Speed and performance: EdbMails is designed to be fast and efficient, enabling you to repair and convert your OST file quickly. The tool can handle large OST files, making it an ideal solution for users who need to recover data quickly.
    4. Easy-to-use interface: EdbMails has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for users to select and convert the OST file to PST. The tool has a simple and intuitive interface that does not require any technical expertise or complex scripts to operate.
    5. Multiple export options: With EdbMails, you can export the recovered data to multiple formats, including PST, EML, MHT, and HTML. This feature provides you with flexibility in how you choose to access and store the data.

Summary

The Outlook message ‘Errors have been detected in the OST file’ can be frustrating and disruptive to daily workflow. You can try to resolve the issue with several methods, including restarting Outlook in Safe Mode and disabling add-ins, repairing the OST file using the Inbox Repair Tool (ScanPST), and recreating a new Outlook profile. However, if the OST file is orphaned or corrupted, you must use a third-party tool such as EdbMails converter for OST, which can fully repair and convert the OST to PST. The application maintains perfect data consistency and integrity during conversion and can also import the OST file to Office 365 and Exchange.

Free Download
Buy Now
hidden msg

EdbMails Demo / Trial Version

Step 1. Download and install EdbMails

Step 2. Click the 'Start Your Free Trial' button

Demo login EdbMails

  • Home
  • Features
  • Pricing
  • Support
  • Download
  • Sitemap
  • FAQ
  • Video Tutorials
  • Technical Support
  • Live Chat
  • Contact Us
Shifttocloud Inc.
Rehoboth Beach, DE
United States
+1 (302) 416-3056

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | GDPR | Security | Press Releases

© 2023 Shifttocloud Inc.

Live Chat

Hi, May I help you?

Hide Chat Now