How to Repair Corrupt or Damaged Outlook PST File?

Updated On - October 25, 2024 by Savita Sharma | Reading Time: 7 minutes

Outlook undoubtedly dominates the email niche as it is the first preference of several organizations and individuals. Outlook has several built-in features that make it stand above other email services. However, it is also prone to corruption, especially its data storage file format PST. Here in this blog, I’ll tell you some precautions and solutions to save or repair corrupt Outlook PST files. Before diving into the solutions and precautions, we’ll discuss a few common errors appearing when the PST corrupts. Let’s start…

Signs That Show PST Files are Corrupted or Damaged

• When you try to send or receive messages, it shows the error 0x80040119
• Errors are detected in the outlook.pst file.
• The Outlook database file named outlook.pst is not a personal folder.
• Scanpst.exe (Inbox Repair Tool) doesn’t detect the outlook.pst file.
• It is not easy to access the outlook.pst file.
• Running Outlook and getting Error: ISTORX32.DLL.

In conclusion, we can say the above error messages show that the Outlook PST file is severely corrupt, and you need to repair it as early as possible to access emails and other Outlook items.

Now you know the errors which appear due to the corrupt PST file. Now the question arises in everyone’s minds: What could be various reasons behind the Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, or 2010 PST file corruption? So let us first see the most common reasons behind PST file corruption.

Common Reasons for Outlook PST File Corruption

Microsoft Outlook uses PST (Personal Storage Table) files to store email messages, contacts, calendar items, and other data. PST file corruption can occur for various reasons, leading to data loss or inaccessibility. Some common reasons for Outlook PST file corruption include the following:

1. File Size Limit: PST files have size limits, and when they approach or exceed those limits (typically 2 GB for ANSI format and 20 GB for Unicode format in older versions of Outlook), they become prone to corruption. The current Outlook version has a 50 GB of file size limit.
2. Sudden System Shutdown: If Outlook is open and the system suddenly shuts down due to power outages or crashes, it can lead to improper closure of the PST file, causing corruption.
3. Network Issues: If your PST file is stored on a network drive and there are issues with network connectivity or disconnections while Outlook is accessing the file, it can result in corruption.
4. Outlook Crashes: Frequent crashes of the Outlook application can increase the likelihood of PST file corruption, mainly if the crashes occur while the PST file is accessed or modified.
5. Upgrades and Migration: When upgrading Outlook to a new version or migrating data from an older version to a newer one, compatibility issues might result in PST file corruption.
6. Header Corruption: The header of the PST file contains critical information about the file’s structure. Similarly, if this header gets corrupted for any reason, the file may become inaccessible. These are the few reasons that define how a PST file gets corrupted. Now, let’s get into the main topic: How to repair corrupt Outlook PST files (2019, 2016, or 2013). 

Related Blog Post: Tips and Tricks to Fix MS Outlook Error 0x800ccc0e

Ways to Repair Corrupt or Damage Outlook PST Files

This blog will discuss two methods to repair corrupt PST files. In the manual method, we have described using the inbuilt utility “Scanpst.exe” provided by Microsoft. On the other hand, we explained advanced and innovative third-party Regain Outlook PST Recovery software.

Manually Repair Outlook PST files in Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, and 2010 :

For Outlook 2019/2016/2013/2010 below is the location of the scanpst.exe:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\office16\

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16\

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15\

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\

Now, follow the below steps to use the Scanpst.exe utility.

• Firstly, double-click the launcher to run the Scanpst.exe tool.
• Click Browse to add the PST file you want to repair.
• Click Start to scan the file.
• After the scanning, click the Repair button to begin the repair process. Note: if you want a backup for the PST file, check the “Make a backup of scanned file before repairing.”
• It takes a few minutes for the Scanpst.exe tool to repair the PST file. After you fix the file, you can import it into MS Outlook.

It is the process to repair corrupt or damaged PST files. However, Scanpst.exe does not work in every situation, and also it has a few drawbacks, which I’ve mentioned below.

Drawbacks of the Scanpst.exe Tool

While the “Scanpst.exe” tool, also known as the Inbox Repair Tool, is provided by Microsoft to repair corrupted PST files in Outlook, it does have some drawbacks and limitations. Here are some of the drawbacks of the Scanpst.exe tool:

• Limited Repair Capability: The Scanpst.exe tool is relatively basic and may need help handling severe PST file corruption cases. It’s design for simple and minor issues.
• Data Loss Risk: In some cases, the tool might need to remove or truncate corrupted data to repair the file. This can result in data loss, especially if the tool deems a section of the PST file irreparable.
• Incomplete Repairs: The tool might only sometimes be able to recover all the data within the PST file fully. Some items or data might still need to be recovered even after using the tool.
• Lack of Advanced Options: The Scanpst.exe tool needs advanced repair options and settings. It doesn’t customize specific repair actions and might not address complex corruption scenarios.
• No Automation: The tool doesn’t offer batch processing or automation for repairing multiple PST files simultaneously. This can be problematic if you have numerous corrupted files.
• Compatibility Issues: The tool’s efficiency and effectiveness might vary depending on your Outlook version. It might not work well with newer Outlook versions or Unicode-format PST files.

Given these drawbacks, it’s important to consider alternative solutions, especially if you’re dealing with complex PST file corruption issues. There are third-party PST repair tools available that offer more advanced features, better recovery rates, and enhanced customization options.

However, when using any third-party tool, make sure to research and choose a reputable one to ensure your data’s safety and recovery.

Use Professional tool to Repair Corrupt Outlook PST Files

Regain Outlook PST Repair is among the best-used applications to repair corrupt Outlook PST files. Moreover, this tool has been designed with cutting-edge algorithms that ensure an excellent success rate in severe file corruption. The innovative GUI enables users to repair PST files without any stress.

Free Download100% Secure Buy NowPrice: $39

Follow These Steps to Repair Corrupt Outlook PST Files: 

• First of all, download and install Regain Outlook PST Repair tool.
• Now open the software and add the PST file.
• Following the software will scan and repair corrupted PST files and display a preview of the added files data.
• Click on the Export option from the ribbon bar and choose Outlook PST as a resultant file format. Also, provide the destination path where your file will be saved. You can also set the size for the resulting PST file.
• At last, click on the Convert Now button, and the software will start moving your data into a new and healthy PST file.

Voila, you’ve successfully repaired the corrupted PST file, and now you can import it into your Outlook profile and continue using it. Moreover, we recommend users download the free version of the software to evaluate the software’s skills and capabilities.  However, the free version allows users to save 30 emails per folder free of cost.

Conclusion:

 In the ever-evolving landscape of email management, the ability to address PST file corruption promptly and effectively remains crucial. With an informed understanding of both the challenges and solutions, users can safeguard their Outlook data and ensure uninterrupted productivity.

By staying vigilant, employing precautionary measures, and utilizing advanced repair tools such as Regain Outlook PST Recovery tool, individuals and organizations can confidently navigate PST file corruption and maintain seamless communication through Microsoft Outlook. A free demo version of this utility is also available to download that process the 30m items per folder.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Will this tool work on the encrypted .pst files?

A: Yes. This tool seamlessly works on encrypted and password-protected PST files. Users can easily repair inaccessible files even if they are password-protected.

Q: What is the limitation of Outlook PST recovery utility by Regain Software in terms of size and number of PST files?

A: We are proud to say there is no such restriction/limitation with the Regain Outlook PST Recovery. It can handle PST files of any size and numerous PST files.

Q: After recovering corrupt PST files, will I get any of my data in the .pst file format or what?

A: Regain Outlook PST Recovery Tool offers multiple options to save the PST file data. Additionally, users can save PST file data after recovery in PST, MBOX, EML, EMLX, and MSG, vCal, like popular file formats. Users can select the desired file format.

Q: Can I check the working of this utility before making any purchase?

A: Yes. With the Regain Outlook PST Recovery Tool, it is possible to check the tool’s working before making any purchase. The free demo version allows you to process the first 30 items per folder. After getting satisfied, you can easily upgrade to the licensed version.

Q: I am using Outlook 2019. Is this tool compatible with this version?

A: Yes, this tool is compatible with Outlook 2019. Even this tool is compatible with all versions of Outlook.