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Fix the issue ‘Errors have been detected in the OST file’

If you rely on Microsoft Outlook for managing your emails, you might come across the error message ‘Errors have been detected in the OST file’. This issue can stop Outlook from loading your mailbox properly and may leave you unable to access your emails, calendar, or contacts. It usually indicates that the OST file—used by Outlook to store mailbox data locally—has become corrupted or damaged.

The OST file plays a key role by allowing offline access to your mailbox and keeping it in sync with the Exchange server. When this file is compromised, Outlook may stop updating your inbox or even fail to open entirely. To fix the problem and recover your data, you’ll need a reliable method to repair or convert the OST file.

Outlook data file OST cannot be opened

EdbMails OST to PST Converter is designed to help in such situations. It can repair damaged OST files, restore your mailbox items with full accuracy, and convert the data into PST format for easy import into Outlook. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through the process to resolve the error and get Outlook working smoothly again.

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.

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’:

Sudden shutdown of Outlook: If Outlook crashes or shuts down unexpectedly, it can corrupt the OST file, leading to the error message.
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.
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. Splitting the OST file into multiple PST files is a good solution in such cases.
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 and there are Outlook sync issues.
The Outlook OST file cannot be opened in Windows

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
  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. When Outlook cannot connect to the server, simply restarting the application can help fix Outlook errors due to network issues.
  - 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.
- 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.
  - 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:
    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. Also note that if the data file is corrupted, you cannot directly open an OST file in Outlook.
    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.
    Slow performance: ScanPST can be slow to repair Outlook data files that are oversized. 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.
  - 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.
    
    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, convert OST file to PST format with EdbMails as described in the following section.
- Method 4: Repair OST file and convert OST to PST with EdbMails
  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
    Download and install the EdbMails application on any Windows computer to get started.
    Login using your email credentials, or click ‘Start Your Free Trial’ to try out EdbMails features without creating an account.
    Select ‘Outlook OST Recovery and Migration’.
    Select ‘OST to PST’.
    Click the ‘New Job’ button to assign a custom name, or continue with the default one if preferred.
  - Step 2: Browse the OST file to repair and converter
    Click ‘Browse for OST file'.
    Browse and select the OST file from your computer that you want to repair and click ‘Next’ to proceed. If the OST file is located on a network drive, ensure it’s properly shared with both read and write permissions enabled for smooth access.
    Click ‘Browse’.
    Select a destination folder to save the exported PST file. Make sure there’s enough free space available on the drive to complete the export.
  - Step 3: Preview and select the mailbox
    EdbMails starts scanning the OST file and may take a few minutes to complete depending on the size of the OST file.
    EdbMails displays the entire OST file contents including emails, folders, contacts, calendars, notes, tasks, appointments. You can preview specific items before the export.
    Select the required mailboxes/folders and click the ‘Next’ button.
    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.
  - Step 4: Convert the OST file to PST
    Verify the mailboxes and folders selected for export operation.
    Make sure the ‘Action’ is set to 'Export', then click the 'Start Export' button.
    EdbMails will begin converting your OST file to PST format, and you can track the progress directly within the software’s interface.
    After the conversion process is complete, you can import the PST file into Outlook and access your data.

Summary

The error message ‘Errors have been detected in the OST file’ in Outlook can interrupt your routine and make mailbox access difficult. Basic troubleshooting steps like launching Outlook in Safe Mode, disabling add-ins, using ScanPST, or creating a new profile may help in some cases. However, if the OST file is severely corrupted or orphaned, these methods may not be enough. EdbMails OST to PST Converter offers a complete solution by repairing the file and converting it to PST while preserving data structure and accuracy. It also supports direct import of OST files into Office 365 and Exchange, ensuring seamless mailbox recovery.