However, if your email server supports ONLY a POP3, auto account setup will create a POP3 account. More often than not, it’s caused by either a corrupted Outlook profile or a change in the data file’s location. And though an error rebuild Outlook data file quickly message might look worrying, you may be able to fix the problem.

Fixing 'Outlook Data File Cannot Be Accessed' Error on PC

That way, you can access previously downloaded or synchronized messages, as well as calendar information, contacts, and tasks even when you’re offline. In this step-by-step guide, you’ll find practical methods to resolve the error and recover your Troubleshoot Office 365 Sync and Login Issues data, whether you’re dealing with a corrupted file or a disconnected profile. The error message indicates corruption in the Outlook data (PST) file. However, the error may also occur due to various other reasons.

• In this step-by-step guide, you’ll find practical methods to resolve the error and recover your data, whether you’re dealing with a corrupted file or a disconnected profile.
• One of the major reasons for the "Outlook data file cannot be accessed" error is corruption in the Outlook data file (PST).
• That is almost definitely the problem and it's very common unfortunately.
• The error message indicates corruption in the Outlook data (PST) file.
• This is a good solution if you think your data file might be corrupted.
• However, if your email server supports ONLY a POP3, auto account setup will create a POP3 account.
• In the Folder Pane, you might see a folder named Recovered Personal Folders that contains your default Outlook folders or a Lost and Found folder.
• You will need to follow the manual steps in order to create a POP3 account.
• On the righthand side of the window, choose the button to "manage backup".

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By default, the Outlook data file resides in your local user's \"Documents\" folder. So you'll want to make sure OneDrive is not syncing that folder. By default, the Outlook data file resides in your local user's "Documents" folder. In the Folder Pane, you might see a folder named Recovered Personal Folders that contains your default Outlook folders or a Lost and Found folder. Although the repair process might recreate some of the folders, they may be empty. The Lost and Found folder contains any folders and items recovered by the repair tool that Outlook can't place in their original structure.

What Our Users Say

I tried using the repair process (SCANPST.EXE) which appeared to detect issues but also appeared to complete a successful repair, but the issue persists. I tried to manually access the OST file location and I could read the file just fine. If this diagnostic step works and fixes the error, disabling your add-ins should help prevent it from happening again. Creating new Outlook profile or rebooting the computer fixes the issue. Find solutions to common problems or get help from a support agent. You can check the location of your Outlook Data Files in Outlook.

Repair Outlook Data Files (.pst and .ost)

You can use the Inbox Repair tool (SCANPST.EXE) to diagnose and repair errors in your Outlook data file. The Inbox Repair tool checks the Outlook data files on your computer to see if they're in good shape. It can recover all the mailbox items from the corrupted file and save them to a new PST file, which you can import into your Outlook profile. It can also allow saving the recovered PST data to other file formats, like MSG, EML, HTML, RTF, and PDF.



On the other hand, accounts through credential Loop in microsoft 365 Office 365, Exchange Server, Outlook.com, and IMAP store information offline in Outlook data files (.ost files). One of the major reasons for the "Outlook data file cannot be accessed" error is corruption in the Outlook data file (PST). You can repair the corrupted PST file using the built-in Inbox Repair tool (also known as SCANPST) in Outlook. That is almost definitely the problem and it's very common unfortunately. You need to configure your OneDrive to not back up the directory where your Outlook data file resides. It is not possible for Outlook and OneDrive to both try to access the data file at the same time.