When you create an Outlook profile, you are supposed to configure your email account with an email protocol. Users can go with either IMAP, POP, SMTP, or Exchange.
When configuring your account with IMAP or Exchange email protocol, Outlook creates an Offline Storage File, also known as (OST) file. Similarly, Outlook will create a PST file (a Personal Storage Table) when configuring your account with POP.
These Outlook data files save synchronized copies of your mailbox data, such as emails, contacts, calendars, tasks, attachments, and notes, and save them locally.
The OST file lets users access their Outlook application if their system is offline or the server encounters technical or other issues. In these cases, thanks to the OST files, the users can continue working without disruptions or interruptions. Any work done in these scenarios gets saved in the OST file; where and when the server is online, all the changes made and tasks done will get reflected and synced with the mailbox on the server.
Outlook users might encounter issues and messages like “0x8004010F: Outlook Data File Cannot Be Accessed”.
When you encounter this issue, you might also experience the following problems.
- Unable to view, send, or receive the emails.
- Unable to access and use Outlook features like tasks, calendars, contacts, appointments, notes, etc.
- Unable to use other Outlook features and tools.
- Unable to search for emails and draft new emails and messages.
- You might also notice that your Outlook application might crash, freeze, or suddenly be unresponsive.
This error occurs mostly due to Network connectivity issues, clashes between the Outlook application and Antivirus software, faulty Outlook installation or incomplete updates, incorrect account settings or account configuration problems, and issues with the exchange server; in most extreme cases, it can also be due to corrupt Outlook profile or damaged Outlook data files.
Irrespective of why you have encountered the “Cannot open Outlook data file” issue. This complete guide will help you understand the problem in-depth, explore all the possible reasons that might trigger the error code, and discover all the practical solutions to help any Outlook user fix one of the most common issues: “Microsoft Outlook Data File Cannot be Accessed.”
Table of Contents:
- How to Fix Outlook Cannot Access Data File Error?
- Reasons That Trigger Outlook Error Code: 0x8004010F
- Tips To Make Sure You Never Face The Same Error Code Again
- Conclusion
How To Fix 0x8004010F Outlook Error Code Cannot Access Outlook Data File?
The solutions to fix the “sending reported error 0x8004010f outlook data file cannot be accessed” problem can range from the simplest fixes like checking your internet connection, restarting your Outlook application, disabling Anti-virus tools, renaming your Outlook Data file or moving it to another location, checking your Outlook Account settings. Suppose these quick fixes didn’t solve the issue. In that case, we have also provided you with other proven solutions like converting your OST file to a PST file, repairing the Outlook application, and, in the end, we have talked about using a specialized Outlook PST Repair tool to fix severely corrupt or damaged PST files.
11 Tried and Tested Solutions to Fix Outlook Data Files Cannot Be Accessed Error
- Check the internet connection
- Restart the Outlook application
- Disable Antivirus software and Windows Defender
- Move the Outlook File
- Rename the Outlook Data File
- Check Outlook Account Settings
- Repair the Outlook PST File Using ScanPST
- Convert OST File To PST File
- Repair Corrupt Outlook Data File Using Specialized Outlook PST Repair Tool
- Create a New Outlook Profile
- Repair Outlook Application
So, without further adieu, let’s start making the inaccessible Outlook Data Files Accessible.
Solution 1: Check The Internet Connection
Outlook.com, Exchange, and IMAP accounts heavily rely on a stable internet connection to communicate with the mail server. This communication is crucial for synchronizing emails, contacts, calendars, and other data. A poor or unstable internet connection can disrupt this synchronization and trigger “the file cannot be accessed check your connection.”
So, the first solution you can try is to check your Internet connection to ensure its stability, speed, and connectivity.
A stable internet connection might help you fix the issue. If you are still facing the issue, the Outlook application might be the problem.
Solution 2: Restart the Outlook Application
Almost everything that you shut down and restart will almost always work fine. Your Outlook application is no different.
Restarting the Outlook application can clear or get rid of glitches, troubles, issues, or conflicts that might trigger the issue of Outlook Data Files Cannot be Accessed.
Restarting Outlook can help you reestablish connections to vital resources, including Data files (PST or OST) and Mail servers.
This solution is also helpful in terminating any ongoing process or tasks that might be stuck, frozen, or unresponsive. Thereby allowing them to start afresh.
- Find the Microsoft Outlook application option in the Task Manager window.
- Right-click the End Task option from the options menu.
- Now that you have ended and closed the Microsoft Outlook application, it’s time to start the app again.
See if you still encounter the 0x8004010f outlook data file that cannot be accessed error-free. If the “Outlook ost is in use and cannot be accessed” issue has been resolved. Then congratulations; if not, you can try disabling the Antivirus utilities might help you fix the problem.
Solution 3: Disable Windows Defender and other Anti-Virus Applications
Sometimes, you might find the Windows Defender or other installed Antivirus tools might interfere with the Outlook application or some of the Outlook operations.
Antivirus programs can be extremely useful in protecting your system and your storage devices. Sometimes, these tools might accidentally interfere with or block certain Outlook processes or tasks. Sometimes, it might prevent Outlook from accessing its data files or communicating with the mail servers.
Disabling the Antivirus tools can help you determine and pinpoint the root cause of the error.
Steps to Disable Windows Defender:
- Launch the Windows Security utility.
- Click on “Virus & threat protection,” then click on the “Manage settings” option.
- If the Real-time protection option is turned on, try switching it off.
Start the Outlook application and see if the issue of being unable to open the Outlook data file has been resolved or not.
The next solution in an attempt to fix the “0x8004010f the operation failed, an object cannot be found” error is to move the Outlook Data File.
Solution 4: Move the Outlook File
Sometimes, you might accidentally move your Outlook data files from their default location to a newer location with restricted permissions and access, it can also be vice-versa.
Moving Outlook data files to a different location can be vital in determining and resolving the exact cause of the Outlook 0x8004010F error.
This solution is extremely useful in case you have faced the Outlook data file cannot be accessed after moving pst.
Steps to Move Outlook Data Files:
Step 1: Ensure the Outlook application is closed (not running in the background). This will ensure that your Outlook files are safe, preventing and safeguarding them from further corruption or damage.
Step 2: The next step is to locate the files:
- OST Files: By default, they are usually located in the following location. C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook
- PST Files: Since these files are saved locally. Depending on the Outlook version you are using, the location of the .pst file might vary. You can check the Outlook settings under Account Settings > Data Files, to know the location.
Step 3: Now that you know where your files are saved. It’s time to move them to a new location. If they are re-move them to a new location from their old location. You can simply copy the files and paste them into any desired location.
Step 4: Relaunch the Outlook application. The Outlook should automatically detect and connect to the moved files. In case the files were undetected or Outlook could not connect to the moved files. You need to manually add it through Account Settings > Data Files.
Moving or re-adding the Outlook files can reset the Outlook application’s internal connections with the file, thereby resolving the “file access denied Outlook PST” and “0x8004010f Outlook Data File Cannot be Accessed” and other access-related problems.
Solution 5: Rename the Outlook File
Renaming the problematic file can force and disrupt any corrupted internal associations Outlook has with those files. Therefore forcing it to create new and healthy links.
At times, your Outlook files might be locked due to incomplete file operations or crashes, or it can also be due to the fact that might be that some other application or program might have locked these files; therefore, the Outlook application is unable to access, view, or read the files correctly.
Therefore, renaming the Outlook files might help you fix the 0x8004010 error.
Steps to Rename the Outlook Files
1: Close the Outlook application.
2: The next step is to locate the Outlook OST and PST files.
- OST Files: By default, they are usually located in the following location.
C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook
- PST Files: Since these files are saved locally. Depending on the Outlook version you are using, the location of the .pst file might vary. You can check the Outlook settings under Account Settings > Data Files, to know the location.
3: The third step is to rename the files; right-click on the Outlook file and click on the Rename option from the options menu.
4: Change the file extension of the .ost or .pst file to something else.
5: Relaunch the Outlook application. This will create a new and healthy file with the correct file extension and might have solved your problem.
Solution 6: Check Outlook Backdrops
Checking the Outlook account settings can be a basic troubleshooting step in resolving configuration or connectivity issues that might be responsible for triggering the 0x8004010F Outlook Data Files Cannot be Accessed error.
At times, resolving misconfigurations, upgrading credentials, and verifying server connectivity can help fix the issue of being unable to access Outlook data files.
Steps to check Outlook Account Settings:
- Launch Outlook, click on the File option, then the Account Settings option, and again click on the Account Settings.
- Double-click on the email account that was showing the error.
- Carefully verify, and only modify or change the settings if necessary.
- Click on the Test Account Settings option to verify and check the server connectivity reliability and complete the authentication process. The tool also identifies errors or warnings that might be haunting your profile.
- Once everything is said and done, click the Next button and close the Account Settings window. Also, close and restart the Outlook application.
If the error continues to appear even after verifying the Outlook settings, moving and renaming the data files, disabling antivirus, and restarting Outlook. Then, the problem might be serious, your Outlook profile might have gotten corrupt or damaged. Then, the following solutions include repairing the Outlook data files, converting the damaged OST file into a healthy PST file, and creating a new Outlook profile while discarding the older profile.
Solution 7: Repair the Corrupt Outlook Profile using the SCANPST option
SCANPST.exe is a free in-built Outlook Inbox Repair tool. Built to repair corrupted Outlook data files (.ost and .pst). Since, these files save your emails, contacts, calendars, and other data of your Outlook accounts. In case these files become corrupt or damaged, one might encounter difficulties accessing their Outlook data files and receive error messages like the error code 0x8004010F.
Steps to Use SCANPST to Fix the Cannot Access Outlook Data Files problem
1: Close the Outlook application.
2: Locate the Scanpst.exe. The location mainly depends on the Microsoft Office version you are using.
- Office 365, 2019, 2016: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\officeXX\SCANPST.EXE (replace XX with your Office version number)
- Office 2013: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15\SCANPST.EXE
3: Launch the Scanpst.exe by double-clicking on the file.
4: Browse and select the corrupt or damaged Outlook PST file.
5: Click on the start button to start the file scanning process. Upon completion the log of the scan will display any identified errors.
6: Click on the Repair option to start the repair process.
7: After completing the file repair process, save the file with a new name.
8: Restart Outlook and try accessing your data from the repaired PST file.
If the file repair process was successful. You should be able to start using your Outlook data normally.
The next solution in this list is to convert the corrupt or damaged OST file to a healthy PST file using a specialized converter tool.
Solution 8: Convert the OST File to the PST File
Conversion of an old, corrupt, damaged, inaccessible OST file into a healthy PST file is one of the most proven solutions to Outlook OST cannot be accessed.
Since the OST file is an offline Outlook data file mainly used by Microsoft Exchange Server. This primarily allows users to work using Outlook in case the mail server is unavailable. At times, the offline files can get corrupt or damaged due to various reasons like:
Hardware issues (Disk errors, Hardware failure, storage device corruption, unexpected shutdowns, etc.)
Software issues (conflicts among various software, Antivirus utilities causing interference, improper or incomplete software updates).
Human errors (abruptly terminating the application, a sudden loss of internet connection while syncing files from Outlook to the mail server might result in corruption or, at times, data loss, moving or renaming the .ost file while it is being used by the Outlook application or any other application, etc.)
Other issues: File System corruption and large or oversized OST files might also be the reasons one might encounter error messages like “OST file cannot be accessed.”
Converting the OST file into PST is the best solution in cases like these.
SFWare’s OST to PST conversion tool is a specialized tool built to help any user easily convert corrupt, damaged, even inaccessible OST file into a healthy PST file with just 3 simple steps.
If you think the problem is due to the PST file getting corrupt or damaged. Then, the next solution can help you fix the solution by fixing the PST files using a powerful pst repair tool.
Solution 9: Repair Corrupt Outlook Data File Using a Specialized Outlook PST Repair Tool
A powerful tool like SFWare PST Repair Tool is built with powerful repair algorithms to help any user fix any corruption or damage with the Outlook PST Data files.
The next solution is to create a new Outlook profile. Especially if you think that the issue of Outlook data cannot be accessed has occurred due to a corrupt Outlook profile.
Solution 10: Create a New Outlook Profile
Creating a new Outlook profile is one of the best solutions to fix the corrupt Outlook profile and successfully fix the Outlook 0x8004010F Error. Starting afresh is the best way to eliminate old configurations and Outlook settings that might prevent you and your Outlook application from finding and accessing the Outlook data files.
If you have followed the earlier two solutions, you can be sure your existing Outlook data files have been safely repaired. Creating a new profile and importing those files might be a good solution.
Here are three steps: Create a New Profile, Delete the old Corrupt Profile, and configure the new Outlook profile.
Step 1: Create A New Outlook Profile
- Open the Control Panel window and search for the Mail option.
- Click on the Mail option, and from the Mail window, click on the Show Profiles option.
- Click on the Add button, enter the Profile name, and click on the OK button.
- Now, you must enter and provide all the required details, such as the email address and password. Configure your server settings (IMAP, POP, or Exchange).
- Click the Finish button once you add all the necessary details in the setup wizard.
- When you restart the Outlook application, it will automatically start using the new profile.
You must default to the newly created Outlook profile if you have multiple profiles.
Here’s how to set the new Outlook profile as a default one.
- Launch the Control Panel and search for the Mail application.
- In the Mail setup window, click on the Data Files.
- Select the new healthy Outlook profile and click the Set as Default option.
Once you have set the new profile as a default, now is the time to eliminate the old, corrupt Outlook profile.
Step 2: Delete the Existing Corrupt Outlook Profile
- Open the Control Panel window and search for the Mail option.
- Click on the Mail option, and from the Mail window, click on the Show Profiles option.
- A list of all available and existing Outlook profiles will be displayed on your screen.
- Select the corrupt or problematic Outlook profile and click on the Remove button.
- If prompted, confirm the deletion process.
You are now supposed to restore the healthy Outlook data files in the new Outlook profile.
Step 3: Restore Outlook Data Files in New Outlook Profile
- Launch Outlook in your new Outlook profile. Go to File → Open & Export → Import/Export option.
- In the Import/Export screen, select Import from another program or file option and click on the Next button.
- Select the Outlook PST file and click on the Next option.
- Browse the location of your old PST file.
- Select all the items you want to import and click the Finish button.
If you don’t want to try any of the earlier solutions, the lost solution you are left with is to repair the Outlook application to eliminate the Outlook 0x8004010F error.
Solution 11: Repair Outlook Application
The error codes 0x800401f or 0x8004010f might usually stem from missing or damaged installation files or registry entries within the Outlook installation.
So, repairing the Outlook installation files and the registry entries can fix all the necessary components of Outlook to work correctly.
Steps to Repair Outlook to resolve the Outlook Data File could not be Accessed Error
1: Launch the Control Panel, search for the Programs and Features option, and click on it.
2: Find and locate the Microsoft Office installation. Right-click on the Office entry and click on the Change option.
3: Choose the Quick Repair option to start the process by clicking the Repair button.
If the Quick Repair doesn’t fix the issue, you can try the Online Repair option (this requires an internet connection).
4: Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the repair process.
That’s it; you have safely resolved the 0x8004010f Outlook data file cannot be accessed error after following the abovementioned solution (s).
Let’s quickly explore and understand all the reasons that might trigger the error code and what we can do to ensure we don’t face the same issue again.
All the Reasons behind the 0x8004010F Outlook Data File Cannot be Accessed Error
- Unstable Internet connection
- Clash between the Windows Defender, Antivirus tools, and Outlook application
- Moving the Outlook Data files to another location.
- Renaming the Data files
- Incorrect Outlook Settings
- Missing or deleted installation files
- Missing or deleted Outlook data files
- Outlook Data files get corrupt
- Outlook Profile getting corrupt
- Incompatibility between Windows OS and Outlook
Prevent 0x8004010f Error (Outlook Data File Cannot Be Accessed)
- Take regular backups of Outlook data
- Avoid force quitting Outlook and the system.
- Ensure proper and complete application and system shutdown
- Always use a reliable Antivirus tool and use them regularly
- Regularly update Outlook and other installed applications as well as the Windows OS. This will ensure bug fixes, better security, and improved performance.
- Avoid incorrect setup by properly configuring the setup.
- Manage large files always ensure they don’t become over-sized, over-sized Outlook files can also cause corruption.
- Disable conflicting add-ins and programs
- Use disk-checking tools to find, identify, and address hard drive errors.
- In case of severe corruption, always use a reliable PST repair tool such as SFWare Outlook PST Repair tool. Using unreliable tools to repair Outlook PST files or converting the OST file to a PST file might do more harm than good.
- If you can’t fix the issue yourself. It’s always good to contact Tech experts and get assistance.
Conclusion
The problematic 0x8004010F Outlook error might hinder your workflow and your productivity. This error prevents Outlook user from accessing their vital Outlook data. This article provides all the necessary information and proven solutions to help you fix Outlook that cannot access the Data files—from simple troubleshooting solutions like checking the internet connection, restarting the Outlook application, moving and renaming the Outlook data files, and checking the Outlook settings. In case, these solutions were fruitless. You can try other solutions like repairing the Outlook data files, converting the OST file to a PST file, repairing the Outlook installation file or registry entries, creating a new Outlook profile, etc.
Additionally, we have discussed all the possible reasons that might cause the error and provided a handful of tips and tricks that Outlook users can try to prevent and ensure their Outlook data files, and the Outlook application is safe.
