Summary: If you encounter an issue where Outlook fails to open and displays the message “Errors detected in the file” along with a file path for the .ost file, you’ve come to the right place for solutions. In the article, we will discuss the possible causes, symptoms, and steps to resolve the issue of Outlook OST errors being detected in the file. Stay with us to gain insights into this problem and find the appropriate solutions.
Content Table:
- What errors have been detected in the file Outlook OST means?
- Common reasons behind errors have been detected in the file OST issue
- Symptoms of errors have been detected in the file Outlook OST
- How to fix errors have been detected in the file Outlook.ost?
- Method 1: Restore the OST file from backup
- Method 2: Open Outlook in safe mode
- Method 3: Delete and recreate the Outlook profile
- Method 4: Recreate Outlook OST file
- Method 5: Repair corrupt OST file
- Convert OST file to PST file to repair errors have been detected in the file Outlook OST.
- Steps to use SFWare OST to PST Conversion tool
What Errors have been detected in the File Outlook OST Means?
OST (Offline Storage Table) is the synchronized copy of the mailbox that is stored on your system and used when you work offline or have a connectivity issue with the server. When this OST file is corrupt or damaged, you get the error errors that have been detected in the file. Hence you cannot open Outlook to access the data.
Common Reasons behind Errors have been detected in the file OST Issue
- Corrupted Outlook data file (.ost)
- Sudden termination or improper closure of Outlook
- Issues during synchronization with the mail server
- Virus or malware infection
- Insufficient disk space for the .ost file
- Hardware or software conflicts
- Outdated or incompatible Outlook versions or updates
- Network connectivity issues
Symptoms of Errors have been detected in the File Outlook OST
- Outlook has frequent crashes or freezes.
- Cannot access Outlook or my profile.
- Delays with send or receive emails processes.
- Receive error pop-ups when opening Outlook.
- Some of the Outlook elements are missing or corrupted.
- Outlook takes a long time to complete processes.
- Synchronization issues.
How to Fix Errors Have been Detected in the File Outlook.ost?
After understanding the error, and its reasons, and identifying common symptoms, the next crucial step in troubleshooting the “Errors have been detected in the file” issue with Outlook OST is exploring potential solutions. Below, you will find several effective methods to resolve this error and restore normal functionality to Outlook.
Method 1: Restore the OST file from backup
Any file is prone to corruption, thus backing up your data is a best practice. If you regularly back up your Outlook data files, then you can restore the backup files and get your Outlook data file. Many backing-up tools exist, but Windows provides built-in backup features such as File History, Backup, and Restore.
Method 2: Open Outlook in safe mode
Safe mode is a troubleshooting environment where the application run with the default settings of Outlook. This method helps you figure out if any of your add-ins are causing corruption in the data file. Follow the steps below and enter Outlook in safe mode,
- Close the Outlook application.
- Press Windows + R keys, type Outlook /safe, then press Ok.
- In the Choose Profile pop-up, select the profile you want, and press Ok.
Follow the onscreen instructions, and you are in the safe mode. You can check add-ins individually and remove the ones that cause conflicts.
Method 3: Delete and recreate the Outlook profile
Deleting and recreating profiles is a straightforward solution to resolve errors related to the detected .ost file in Outlook. Rest assured that deleting a profile does not result in data loss, as you can easily create a new profile and retrieve data from the Exchange server. This method effectively resolves the issue and allows for a fresh start with a new profile in Outlook.
- Close Outlook, then go to Control Panel.
- In the Control Panel, go to Mail (Or Mail(32-bit) if you are using a 32-bit system).
- In the Mail Setup – Outlook, click on Show Profiles.
- In the Mail, select the profile, click Remove, then click Yes.
- Once the deletion is done, click Add, and follow the instructions.
Method 4: Recreate Outlook OST file
Recreating an OST file is an easy way to deal with corrupted OST files. Outlook can automatically recreate the OST file; to do this, you need to delete, rename, or move the current OST file. You can follow the steps below to find the current location of the OST file,
- Close Outlook.
- Go to Control Panel and click on Mail.
- In the Mail Setup – Outlook, click on Data files.
- In Account Settings, select the OST file you want and click on Open File Location.
- Right-click on the file and choose either Delete, Rename, or Cut as you wish.
- Now open Outlook, this will recreate the OST file automatically.
Method 5: Repair corrupt OST files using repair tools
Repair tools are dedicated software built to repair OST file corruptions. There are many options to choose from, but Microsoft has a built-in Inbox Repair Tool called ScanPST.exe. You can use this tool to repair the OST file and retrieve the data from it.
You can find the ScanPST tool at the below locations depending on your Outlook version,
- Outlook 2019: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16
- Outlook 2016: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16
- Outlook 2013: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15
- Outlook 2010: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14
- Outlook 2007: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12
Note: For users of a 64-bit version of Windows, the ScanPST.exe tool is found in the Program Files folder instead of the Program Files (x86) folder.
- Double-click on the exe file and open it.
- In Enter the name of the file you want to scan field, enter the path and file name of the OST file that you want to repair.
Note: You can click the Browse button to locate the file if you’re unsure of its location.
- Click on the Start button to begin the scan.
- If errors are found, click on the Repair button to begin the repair process.
- Once the repair is complete, open Outlook and check if the issue has been resolved.
Note: You can use a purpose-built repair tool like the SFWare PST Repair tool, which is built to deal with various corruption scenarios.
Convert OST File to PST File to Repair Errors Have been Detected in the File Outlook OST.
While attempting to resolve issues with the OST file, one effective approach is converting the OST file to a PST file. You can create a healthy PST file that ensures data integrity by converting the corrupt OST file. Various OST to PST converter options are available, and we recommend utilizing SFWare OST to PST Conversion software. This user-friendly software is specifically designed for a seamless conversion process, enabling the creation of a robust PST file.
Steps to use SFWare OST to PST Conversion tool:
Download and install SFWare OST to PST Conversion software in your system to start the process.
Step 1: Launch the software and select from the options:
- Open OST File – If you know the location of the OST file.
- Find OST File – When you want the system to find all the OST files.
Step 2: In the next screen you give the OST file and click on Next.
Step 3: In the next screen give a location to save the converted file and click on Convert.
Wait for the process to complete. You can find the healthy PST file at the location given.
Conclusion
In this article, we have addressed the problem of “Errors have been detected in the file” in Outlook OST. We began by exploring the causes of this issue and identifying common symptoms to detect file corruption at an early stage. Next, we provided solutions to fix the problem and recover your data successfully. Additionally, we introduced SFWare OST to PST Conversion software as a reliable tool for converting OST files to PST format. We encourage you to try these methods and share your feedback on the effectiveness of this article in the comment section below.
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