The Outlook Inbox Repair Tool, commonly known as SCANPST, is a built-in utility designed to fix most Outlook errors. This tool typically activates when it detects issues within the Outlook file. However, if the Outlook Inbox Repair Tool keeps popping up frequently in a short period, it may indicate a problem with the tool itself. Before exploring some troubleshooting methods, let’s examine the reasons why ScanPST.exe keeps appearing.
Why Does Outlook Repair Tool (ScanPST) Keep Popping Up?
The reasons behind the MS inbox repair tool popping up could be large PST files or the severe corruption of Outlook data files.
One of the most common causes for this error is the file size of the PST File. Every Outlook application version has a file size limitation. There might be chances that the Inbox Repair Tool can freeze while fixing large-sized PST files or a corrupt Outlook profile and leave you with a popup message every time you use the Outlook application.
A severely corrupted PST file could be another reason for the error. Generally, the Inbox Repair utility helps you fix minor corruption issues. If the corruption is severe in PST files or any Outlook data files, scanpst.exe fails and tries to start the repair again.
How to Stop Outlook Repair Tool Popping Up Problem?
A few workarounds to stop the repair inbox tool from popping up are verifying with the third-party add-ins, using ScanPST itself, or formatting the PST file.
- You can verify with third-party add-ins if you have recently added any. Sometimes, third-party add-ins could cause trouble with the existing data files and corrupt the files.
- As ScanPST itself is capable of fixing Outlook PST files, trying ScanPST to fix the error could come in handy at times.
- Changing the format of the PST file helps you if the problem is with the PST file.
If your Outlook data files are severely corrupted, none of these methods might work well enough to fix corruption due to their limitations. The error continues until the file is free of corruption, for which you might need an advanced PST repair tool that can fix severe corruption in the Outlook data file.
Method 1: Check Third-Party Add-ins
Third-party add-ins such as Sync, Anti-Spam, and Anti-Virus add-ins could cause trouble and trigger the error to show up. This could be a reason for most Outlook errors. You can uninstall or remove problem causing Add-ins:
1: Go to File -> Option -> Add-ins
2: Click on the Go Button at the bottom ->Manage Add-ins
3: Once the new screen appears, select the Add-ins you need to disable or remove from the list
To disable the Outlook Add-ins, uncheck the box with the Add-inn name and click on the Remove button
If you still face the problem, move on to the next method.
Method 2: Run ScanPST.exe to Fix Outlook Popping on the Screen
ScanPST.exe tool is the tool recommended by Microsoft to fix most PST file errors. Therefore, there’s no harm in trying to fix the error caused by itself. If the error is due to minor corruption in the PST file or shortcuts, this method should be able to fix the problem.
Step 1: Close the Outlook application, and make sure it’s not running in the background.
Step 2: Locate the ScanPST application on your hard disk in the Microsoft Office folder. (Click here to find the location of the ScanPST.exe and know how it works).
Step 3: Open the application by double click on it.
Step 4: Give the PST file name that is displaying an error. You can also click on Browse to locate the file from your local drive.
Step 5: Click on Start to begin the repair process and Log in to your Outlook account to recover the file.
Step 6: Choose a location for saving the new file. Save the file and close.
This method should help you fix the error if it is due to some minor corruption in the Outlook data files. If you still encounter the error on your screen, that means the PST file causing the error is large. The application may start to freeze or stop responding before repairing the PST file.
In such cases, you might need a tool that works for large PST files and is capable of fixing severe corruption on PST files.
However, if ScanPST successfully detects and fixes the error, it is recommended that you run the scan for more than 2-3 times. To make sure the file is free from all sorts of problems.
Method 3: Change the Format PST File
Formatting the PST file doesn’t mean clearing the content of the mail. It means changing the format of the PST file from one to another. ANSI is the one base format in which Outlook PST files. most often used in older Outlook versions. Converting the PST file format from ANSI to UNICODE format would help you fix the error.
To do so, first, check the format base of the PST file:
Step 1: Open the PST file causing the error and Right-click at the top of the folder tree.
Step 2: Select Data File Properties and click on the Advanced Button.
Now, you need to look at the description of the file format base:
If the file format base is already showing UNICODE, you will see “Outlook Data File” and your PST file format is updated If it is ANSI-based, it’ll read “Outlook Data File (versions)” and you might want to change that format to fix the Outlook.
All you have to do is, create a new UNICODE-based PST file copy all content of the old ANSI-based PST file into it and save.
If none of the above methods helped you fix the error the Outlook repair tool keeps up, the error is due to severe corruption in the PST file.
Fix the Outlook Inbox Repair Tool Keeps Popping Up Error by Repairing the Corrupt PST Files
The SFWare PST repair tool comes in handy. SFWare can work with a large-sized PST file without letting you lose any data. SFWare doesn’t only repair the PST file but also recovers the file attributes of Outlook intact.
Download the tool for free now.
Steps to Fix PST File Causing Outlook Inbox Repair Tool to Pop Up Constantly
To stop Outlook Repair Tool from popping up on the screen and fix the corruption. Download and install the SFWare PST Repair Tool on your computer. The tool is compatible with all the Outlook versions including the latest 2019, 2016, 2013, and older versions as well. Follow the steps given below to fix the error.
Step 1: You can see three options on the main screen:
1: Open PST file: Select if you know the location of the PST file.
(you will be taken to the next screen that allows you to browse the PST file.)
2: Find PST file: Select if you are not aware of the location of the PST file.
3: Select Outlook Profile: Use this option to find the PST file for a profile. When you have multiple Outlook profiles.
Step 2: Once the PST file is selected, click Normal Scan and select a location to save the repaired PST file. Then click the Repair button.
Step 3: Once the file is repaired, you can Preview the PST file along with recovered emails and finally, Save the repaired PST in any desired location.
You can try any of the above-mentioned methods. When the MS Outlook inbuilt utility fails to fix corruption in the PST file the inbox repair tool keeps popping up.
Frequently Asked Question
1: How do I bypass Outlook Inbox Repair Tool popping up?
You can verify with third-party add-ins if you have recently added any. Sometimes, third-party add-ins could cause trouble with the existing data files and corrupt the files. As ScanPST itself is capable of fixing Outlook PST files, trying ScanPST to fix the error could come in handy at times. Also, changing the format of the PST file helps you if the problem is with the PST file.
2: How do I repair PST files instead of ScanPST.exe?
If the Scanpst.exe not responding or fails, you should go for a professional PST repair tool. The PST Recovery Tool can fix severely corrupted Outlook data files and large PST files. SFWare PST repair tool is developed with an advanced algorithm to repair any PST file.
3: What happens when ScanPST doesn’t work?
There may be circumstances where the inbox repair tool freezes or keeps popping up if ScanPST doesn’t work. You will not be able to repair any damaged or corrupt Outlook Data files. Therefore, you will be unable to open the data file in Microsoft Outlook and access it.
