Fixed “Errors have been detected in the .OST file”

When you ask an Outlook user of the annoying issue with Outlook, he might tell you the inaccessible OST file as a major problem. OST files are prone to corruption. These files connect with Exchange Server. Synchronization of OST files with Exchange Server creates the problem often.

Luckily, there are some solutions to fix inaccessible OST file issues.

Quick Solution:
If your OST files become inaccessible for any reasons, you can fix them by repairing with an Inbox Repair Tool or Recreate the File. If manual solutions do not seem effective, you can go with an alternative solution that is a professional application such as TrustVare OST Converter. It is a user-friendly application to export selective offline storage table files to PST or desirable file format.

Signs to Identify Errors in OST Files

There could be various reasons for inaccessible OST files. Here are the most common ones.

Outlook is taking much time to start or activate
Facing unnecessary delay in sending and receiving emails
Mailbox synchronization issues
Poor performance of Outlook like crashing and hanging occasionally

Ignorance of these problems can lead to bigger issues which could be difficult to handle. Here are some issues you may face.

Notice errors in your OST file
Inaccessible Outlook can be a big problem
Reasons for Errors in Outlook Data File

Some reasons that can bring errors in your MS Outlook for Windows files or OST files.

Malware or virus attack
Outlook shutdown abruptly
Crash in the system
Oversized OST files
Errors in disk
Bad sectors
Outlook Add-in issue
Closing Outlook Forcibly because it is ‘Not Responding’
Synchronization errors

You can notice the following error while accessing MS Outlook because of corrupted OST files.

Errors of the File C:\Users\User Name\AppData\ Local\ Microsoft\ Outlook\ FileName.ost. At this time, switch off Outlook and take help of the Inbox repair tool (Scanpst.exe) to find out reasons for the error and fix it.

Ways to Fix OST File Errors

As you try to access OST files, the Outlook will show you the error of inaccessible OST. Here are the quick steps you can take to fix the errors:

1. Restore OST from Backup

This could be one of the best ways to fix errors with OST files. In this solution, you can replace the corrupted OST files with a backed up copy. The solution works only when you have taken the backup recently. However, you will lose the recent data here.

2. Access of Outlook in Safe Mode

If the error is taking place due to add-ins, the best solution is to run the MS Outlook in safe mode and then disable all add-ins. Now, add add-ins one by one to identify the add-in is causing the problem. You can export OST files to personal storage table here also.

Here are the steps to take to access Outlook in a safe mode.

Press Windows+R and then type Outlook /safe

Now, hit ‘Enter’ or ‘OK’
After that choose the profile and press ‘OK’

3. Using Inbox Repair Tool or ScanOST.exe

Do you know MS Outlook supports repairing of corrupted OST files with its in-built tool, called ScanOST.exe. Microsoft Outlook offers the in-built tool to repair inaccessible OST or PST files if the selected files have some common issues. It is now for those OST files that have major issues.

ScanPST.exe (for PST files)
ScanOST.exe (for OST files)

Using the in-built tool for Outlook 2007 and earlier versions

Here are the steps to run the ScanOST.exe for repairing OST files in MS Outlook 2000, 2002, 2003, and 2007.

Turn MS Outlook down and then locate the following location based on the Outlook version you are using.
MS Outlook 2007: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\SCANOST.EXE
MS Outlook 2003: C:\Program Files\Common Files\ System\MSMAPI\SCANOST.EXE
MS Outlook 2002: C:\Program Files\Common Files\ System\MAPI\SCANOST.EXE
MS Outlook 2000: C:\Program Files\Common Files\ System\MAPINT\SCANOST.EXE
Press twice the EXE utility to activate and run
Choose the profile of the damaged OST file
Choose the folder you want to run and then click on the ‘Repair errors’ checkbox

Next, press the ‘Begin Scan’ to start scanning
If the file repairs, the tool shows this message ‘OST repaired successfully’
Press ‘OK’ and access the Outlook file

Using ScanPST.exe for OST Repairing in Outlook 2010 and above

To repair OST file in MS Outlook 2010 and above, follow these steps:

Turn off MS Outlook and locate the location where the ScanPST.exe is saved. The location may vary depending on the Outlook version you are using. Here is the path you can use.
- MS Outlook 2010:
  - Windows (32-bit): C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14
  - Windows (64-bit): C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14
- MS Outlook 2013: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 15\root\office15
- MS Outlook 2016 (MSI-based Installation):
  - Windows (32-bit): C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16
  - Windows (64-bit): C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16
  - Outlook (64-bit): C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16
- MS Outlook 2019/2016/Office 365: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\office16\
Press the ‘Browse’ tab to locate the OST file.

Press the ‘Start’ tab for scanning of the OST file. It shows the error if the file has any problem.

Check the ‘Make backup of scanned…’ option and then press the ‘Repair’ to fix the OST errors

Post OST file repair, restart the system and then access the MS Outlook

WARNING: The utility can fix only minor errors with OST files. If the problem is major, you will have to look for other options. The best solution is to use a TrustVare OST files Conversion. It is a magical tool to export OST files to personal storage table after repairing OST files. Orphaned OST files can scan and export to personal storage table.

4. Recreating OST File

An OST file is a copy of the Exchange Server data. You can recreate OST files if the current OST file is inaccessible. It is the way to rename an OST file.

Before renaming or deleting the present OST file, switch off the Outlook tool. If you don’t do so, you may see an error.

To rename an OST file, you must know its location.

Here are the steps to rename OST file:

In File Explorer window, press the ‘View’ tab and then press the ‘File name extensions’
Right click the OST file and then ‘Rename’ them.
Take your cursor to the end and enter .old at the end of the file name and click on the ‘Enter’ button
Confirm as the message appear to finish the process

Deleting the Corrupted .OST file:

Turn down Outlook and navigate to C:\Users\UserName\AppData\LocalMicrosoft\outlook folder location
Locate the .ost file connected with your profile featuring the error message and then delete the file
After that, you can move the OST file to a different location

As you delete a current OST file, Outlook will automatically create it. This time, you will not notice any error.

Conclusion

You have several ways to Fixed “Errors have been detected in the .OST file”. You can choose the appropriate option. If you are not sure, you can take help of technicians. OST to PST conversion is also one of the best solution for which you can consider a third-party tool like TrustVare OST Exporter. It offers bulk recovery of OST files and convert them to personal storage table at once