Outlook Data File cannot be Opened | Solved 

Table of Contents:

• Why is my Outlook data file not opening?
• How to fix Outlook data file cannot be opened?
• Method 1: Create a New Outlook Profile.
• Method 2: Change the mail delivery location
• Method 3: Repair an Outlook data file (.pst) file using the SCANPST.EXE tool.
• Method 4: Repair Outlook Data File using Remo Repair PST.

An Outlook data file is a PST file that consists of Outlook items such as emails, reminders, events, and calendars saved on the local computer. This Outlook PST file can be used to back up Outlook or transfer Outlook emails from one device or account to another. The major advantage of using Outlook data file (.pst) is you can access all your emails, contacts, or events with no internet connection. 

When you encounter an Outlook error saying the Outlook data file cannot be opened, then you cannot access your PST file and you also cannot send or receive emails. Most of the users, delete and recreate OST files if they cannot open the Outlook data file. However, Outlook cannot open PST file error and cannot be fixed this way if your PST file is actually corrupt or damaged.

Why is my Outlook data file not opening?

You cannot open Outlook data files in many instances, some of the common reasons are as follows;

1. The Outlook data file is corrupt or damaged
2. The outlook file has crossed the maximum limit
3. Due to the sudden system shutdown  
4. Due to Microsoft Outlook errors
5. System or Outlook application crash 
6. The PST file already running in the background

How to fix the Outlook data file that cannot be opened?

Here is a complete guide on how to open Outlook data file using the 4 proven hacks. If you have already tried the manual methods or looking for the easiest way to fix corrupt PST file using a PST Repair tool then you can prefer method 4. 

1. Create a New Profile
2. By changing the delivery location of the mail
3. Use the ScanPST tool (Recommended)
4. Use the Remo Repair PST tool ( Highly Recommended)

Method 1: Create a New Outlook Profile

Creating a new Outlook profile eliminates the configuration problems related to the current Outlook data file which cannot be accessed or opened. And using the new profile as the primary Outlook profile helps you fix the Outlook data file cannot be opened issue.

1. Type Control Panel in the windows search box and Open it. 
2. Select the Mail option.
   
3. Click on the Show Properties button > Properties > and Data Files
   
   Note: Record the Outlook Data File location
   
4. Go to Control Panel and click the Mail option
5. Select the Show Profiles button to locate your Outlook profiles
   
   
6. Click Add button to add a new Outlook profile.
   
   
7. In the Profile Name field, provide a name for your new profile and click OK to save it.
   
   
8. To start setting up your email account with Outlook, select the Manual setup or additional server types option and click Next.
   
   
9. Select your Outlook account type and click the Next button.
   Note:  If you have POP or IMAP email account credentials, select the POP or IMAP option and manually configure the Outlook account settings.
   
   
10. Complete providing information about your email account in the respective fields as shown in the below image. And select the Existing Outlook Data File under Deliver new messages and click the Browse button to locate the Outlook data file that you noted earlier.
    
    
11. Now, finish the email account, setup wizard. And follow the below steps to make your new profile the default for Outlook
12. Go back to the Control Panel > Mail > Show Properties and select your newly created Outlook profile with Always use this profile and click OK
    
    

Method 2: Change the mail delivery location

Another solution is to add a new data file and set Outlook to use it to store your emails. This will create a fresh data file for Outlook and will usually fix the unable to open outlook data file error or “Outlook data file cannot be opened” error.

1. Open the Start Menu and launch Outlook.
2. Select the File tab at the top of your screen.
3. Select Info from the options in the left sidebar. Then click Account Settings on the right-hand side pane and select Account Settings again.
4. By default, you’ll be in the Email tab. Switch to the Data Files tab and click the Add button to add a new data file.
5. Outlook will ask where you’d like to save the file. Select a location, enter a name for the file, and click OK to save the file
6. Outlook will still use your old data file to save your messages. Change that by setting your new data file as the default data file. Select your newly created file in the list and click Set as Default at the top.

Method 3: Repair an Outlook data file (.pst) file using the SCANPST.EXE tool

If your PST file is corrupt, then creating a new profile would not help you fix Outlook data file cannot be opened error. You can use  SCANPST by Microsoft Outlook, an inbuilt repair tool to fix corrupt PST file. Using this ScanPST tool you can easily fix and access Outlook data file without any issue.

1. Quit Outlook application and start with the following steps to fix cannot open Outlook PST file error
2. Locate the ScanPST tool based on your Outlook version:
   • Outlook 2019: C:\Program Files\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
3. Open the SCANPST tool on your Windows to fix Outlook data file cannot be opened error
   
   
4. Click the Browse button to select the Outlook Data File (.pst) that is not opening
   
   Note: By default, a new log file is created during the Outlook data file repairing process. So click the Options button and select No log or you can select Append to log and click OK
   
5. Select the Start button to begin scanning for Outlook PST file problem
   
   
6. If the scan finds Outlook cannot open PST file error, choose Repair to fix it
   Note: The scan creates a backup Outlook data file during the repair process if you select Make a backup of scanned file before repairing option. To change the default backup file name, enter a new name in the Enter name of backup file field
7. After the corrupt Outlook data file is repaired, start or open Outlook using the profile with the Outlook Data File (PST) you just repaired

One of the disadvantages of using ScanPST tool is it cannot repair the severely corrupt PST file. And to access your Outlook data file, you should repair it multiple times using this method.

The best way to repair PST file is by making use of Remo Repair PST software. This tool easily scans and repairs corrupt or damaged Outlook PST file created on any version of Outlook including the latest Outlook 2019.

Method 4: Repair Outlook Data File using Remo Repair PST