How to Fix the Outlook Data File Cannot Be Configured Error?

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If you are one among those who has trouble accessing the Outlook due to the synchronization error Outlook data file cannot be configured error, you are in the right place.This article explains the different causes of the outlook data file has not been configured and the ways to fix the same.

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Why Outlook data file cannot be configured?

Fix Outlook OST file Cannot be configured

Convert OST to PST file to fix configuration problem

Fix Outlook PST file cannot be configured

Repair PST file to fix PST file cannot be configured

Outlook data files cannot be configured is one of the common errors that Outlook users encounter quite regularly. Before heading to fixing the error, let us have a look at the reasons that caused the error in your Outlook.

 

Outlook data file cannot be configured

 

Why your Outlook data file cannot be configured?

Outlook file cannot be configured error occurs due to the following reasons:

Execution Of Roaming Profiles:

Usually, users with roaming profiles working on the MS Exchange server will encounter this error. As the roaming profiles are on a shared network, users can access data files using other computers.

When a roaming profile user tries to access Outlook data from different computers, they might miss out on the configuration procedure and face the error Outlook data file cannot be configured.

Missing OST or PST file:

When MS Outlook is unable to find the OST or PST file, the error occurs. The reasons behind missing Outlook data files may be the change in Outlook OST, PST  path or while importing data files, the Outlook profile might get crashed and the data file gets misplaced.

To overcome this error in the Outlook OST file, just delete the Outlook application and re-install MS Outlook. Next, download the OST file using the Exchange server.

To know more about missing PST files, click on the link and fix the error that occurs due to missing PST files.

Corrupt data file:

OST and PST files get corrupted due to many reasons including virus intrusion, logical error, and some synchronization issues that can lead to changes in Outlook data files which then cannot start Microsoft Outlook as your profile is not configured.

Outlook data file, be it PST or OST file, an improperly configured Outlook can be the reason most of the time. You cannot access your Outlook data file unless you fix the above error.

Frequent Crashes:

Frequent Outlook crashes can interrupt vital processes from taking place and may cause configuration issues as a side effect.

How to fix your Outlook data file that cannot be configured error?

Outlook data file configuration errors can be fixed easily by following the methods described below. Carry out the steps given for each Outlook data file and fix the error Outlook data file cannot be configured.

Method 1: Fix the error Outlook data file cannot be configured-OST

One of the simple methods to configure your Outlook data file OST is by recreating the Outlook data file.

Follow the steps mentioned below to recreate the Outlook data file:

1. Click on File tab and select Account Settings from the list

2. Now, select the Data File tab and choose the appropriate profile

3. After choosing the profile, click on Open File Location at the top.

open file location

4. Now at the source location, choose the Outlook profile with the extension (.ost) and delete the file.

delete file

5. Now, restart the Outlook application and click on the Send/Receive tab.

6. Click on Send/Receive All Folders option. This will ensure that all the Outlook data will be reconfigured for that particular profile.

Please note that this method works fine only when the exchange server and outlook account are in synchronization. If the server and Outlook is not synchronized properly, your Outlook data will surely be at risk.

If this method does not work, it is likely that your OST file is corrupted. It is recommended to convert your OST to PST and perform repair actions.

What is the need to convert OST to PST?

The OST file is just an offline copy of the mailbox that is created and stored on your computer. Therefore, the OST file cannot be opened directly like the PST files.

The deletion of the OST file and recreating the OST file may not lead to satisfying results as contents of ‘Emails’, Contacts’, ‘Tasks’ and ‘Calendar’ folders might get deleted.

Hence, It’s better to convert OST to PST and avoid the data deletion from that OST file. Later you can import PST files to MS Outlook to access the data.
SFWare OST to PST converter is the most recommended tool for converting OST files to PST.

  • Ensures complete data transfer from OST file.
  • works on read-only mode, keeping your data safe.
  • Compatible with all versions of Windows and Outlook including Outlook 2019, 2016, and Office 365.

Easy Steps to Convert OST to PST

Download and install the SFWare OST to PST conversion tool and follow the below-mentioned steps carefully.

1. The main screen contains two option Open OST File and Find OST File
Find OST to Convert

2. Click on the Open OST File option to select the inaccessible, corrupt or damaged Outlook OST file

3. If you are unaware of the file path, then choose the Find OST File option to locate the OST fileConvert OST to PST

4. After locating the OST file, choose the destination where you wish to save the converted Outlook data file OST and click on Next to start the scanning processConverting OST file

5. After completion of the scanning process the corrupted OST file will be converted to a healthier PST file.

Once the conversion of OST to PST files is completed, you can easily import the files and get access to the PST files.

What if the Outlook configuration error occurs due to the problem in the PST file? Do not panic, Here is the solution to fix the errors in Outlook data PST file.

Method 2: Fix the error Outlook data file cannot be configured-PST

Every Outlook user is aware of the Microsoft Inbox repair tool also called ScanPST. Where Scanpst.exe helps you fix any minor issues with your PST file.

Fix the error Outlook data file cannot be configured using the Microsoft Inbox repair tool:

Step 1: Close your Outlook Application → Locate and run inbox repair tool

Step 2:. Next, browse or provide a path where the PST file is saved.

Folder path- C:\Program Files (x86) \Microsoft Office\root\Office 19(16)

Note: If you are using the older versions of Outlook, click here to know the location of ScanPST.exe.

locate-pst-file

Step 3: Click on Start to initiate the scanning process → Click on Repair to fix the error in Microsoft Outlook data file

repair-pst-file

The ScanPST tool will certainly fix any minor errors on your Outlook data file (.PST). However, if the degree of corruption is high, the inbox repair tool is not a reliable option.

Also, the ScanPST. exe works on the original file, therefore the file, might get corrupted and you won’t be able to access the file for further use.

To repair the severely corrupted PST file, you can always make use of a trusted PST repair tool.

All the information that is present in the Outlook data is important. Hence, you need a reliable tool that can safely repair the corrupted file regardless of the severity of the corruption.

SFWare PST Repair software is an incredible tool that can repair the PST file safely.  you can fix the corrupt PST file and errors like PST file missing, unable to access Outlook data files, etc. Download and try the software for free now.

Conclusion

Microsoft Outlook is one of the most efficient email applications; there can be times when you might come across errors stating that the Outlook data file cannot be configured. With the help of the above-mentioned methods you can easily overcome the Outlook error.

If you are unable to fix the errors manually, always go for the safer option which is to convert the OST file to PST and fix the error by repairing the PST file.

If you were able to fix the error Outlook data file cannot be configured with the help of the workarounds described in the article, do let us know in the comment section below.

 

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