How to Resolve “Outlook .pst Cannot be Opened” Error?
In this write-up, you’ll discover the common reasons behind the outlook .pst cannot be opened error and explore reliable solutions to resolve it effectively. The post also introduces an advanced Outlook Converter software designed to recover mailbox data from corrupt or damaged PST files and export it safely into a new, fully functional PST file, ensuring seamless access to your Outlook data again.
When you configure a POP3 account in MS Outlook, the application generates an Outlook data file (PST) on your local system to download and store mailbox information from the mail server. This PST file contains all mailbox components, including emails, attachments, contacts, calendar entries, notes, and journals. However, in some situations, the PST file may become unavailable, and Outlook displays an error when you attempt to open the application. The full error message may appear as follows:
Although the message suggests that another program is using the PST file, this issue can also arise due to several other underlying causes. In the sections below, we’ll explain the possible reasons behind this error and outline effective methods to resolve it.
Why You Encounter the Outlook .pst Cannot Be Opened Error?
Several factors can trigger the Outlook .PST cannot be opened error, preventing you from accessing your mailbox data. Some of the most common causes include:
- Outlook.exe running in the background, even after closing the application
- PST file backup or synchronization process active in the background
- Conflicting applications interfering with Outlook operations
- Outlook data file locked by OneDrive or other cloud sync services
- Faulty or incompatible third-party add-ins installed in Outlook
- Corrupt or damaged PST file due to improper shutdown or file issues
- Insufficient file or folder permissions on the PST file
- Outdated Microsoft Outlook version lacking critical updates
- Corrupt or damaged Outlook profile
Identifying the exact cause helps in applying the correct solution to restore access to your Outlook data file.
Effective Solutions to Fix the Microsoft Outlook PST Cannot Be Opened Error
Follow the methods below in the given sequence to successfully resolve the Microsoft Outlook .pst cannot be opened error and regain access to your mailbox data.
1: Verify and Update PST File Permissions
If you do not have sufficient rights to access, read, or modify the PST file, Outlook may fail to open it and display an error. Ensuring proper file permissions can help resolve this issue.
- Go to the folder where your PST file is saved. By default, it is usually located at: C:\Users\<Your Username>\Documents\Outlook Files
- Right-click on the PST file and select Properties.
- Under the General tab, make sure the Read-only option is unchecked.
- Click Apply, then OK.
Tip: You can also try running Outlook as an administrator to bypass permission-related restrictions.
2: Close All Outlook-Related Processes Running in the Background
Sometimes, Outlook or related applications continue running in the background and lock the PST file, preventing Outlook from opening it.
- Right-click on the Taskbar and select Task Manager.
- Click More details, then open the Processes tab.
- Look for processes named Outlook, Communicator, Lync, or UCMAPI.
- Select each process and click End task.
- Close Task Manager and restart Outlook.
After completing these steps, check whether Outlook opens normally without the PST error.
3: Disable Faulty or Incompatible Outlook Add-ins
Sometimes, third-party or incompatible add-ins can interfere with Outlook and trigger the Outlook .pst file cannot be opened error. To check if add-ins are causing the issue, start Outlook in Safe Mode.
- Close Outlook completely.
- Tick Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type outlook.exe /safe and press Enter.
If Outlook opens without any error, it indicates that one or more add-ins are responsible.
Steps to Disable Outlook add-ins:
- Go to File > Options.
- In the Outlook Options window, select Add-ins.
- At the bottom, choose COM Add-ins from the Manage dropdown and click OK.
- Uncheck all add-ins and click OK.
- Restart Outlook normally.
To identify the problematic add-in, enable one add-in at a time and restart Outlook after each change. Once identified, disable and uninstall the faulty add-in permanently.
4: Turn Off Compatibility Mode for Outlook
Running Outlook in compatibility mode can cause issues with accessing PST files and may prevent Outlook from opening properly.
- Locate the Outlook.exe file on your system.
- Right-click on it and select Properties.
- Go to the Compatibility tab.
- Make sure that Run this program in compatibility mode is unchecked.
- Click OK and restart Outlook.
5: Move the PST File from OneDrive to a Local Folder
If your PST file is stored in a OneDrive-synced folder, Outlook may encounter errors, as Microsoft does not recommend storing Outlook data files on cloud locations.
- Close Outlook and allow OneDrive to complete syncing.
- Navigate to the OneDrive folder containing the PST file. For example: C:\Users\[your username]\OneDrive\Documents\Outlook Files
- Copy the PST file to a new folder on your local drive.
- Rename the PST file (for example: yourname@domain.pst).
- Open Outlook and go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings > Email.
- Select your email account and click Change Folder.
- Choose New Outlook Data File, browse to the new PST file location, select the file, and click OK.
- Switch to the Data Files tab, select the PST file stored in OneDrive, and click Remove to disconnect it.
- Close Outlook and delete the PST file from OneDrive if it is no longer needed.
After completing these steps, Outlook should open normally without displaying the PST error.
6: Create a New Outlook Profile to Fix PST Access Issues
A corrupt or damaged Outlook profile can prevent the application from opening the associated PST file. Creating a fresh profile often resolves the Outlook PST cannot be opened error.
- Close Outlook completely.
- Open Control Panel and select Mail.
- Click Show Profiles, then choose Add.
- Enter a name for the new profile and click OK.
- Add your email account by entering the required credentials and follow the setup wizard.
- Outlook will connect to the mail server and begin synchronization.
- Once syncing is complete, verify that all mail folders and items are accessible.
After confirming everything works correctly, you can remove the old, corrupt profile if required.
7: Update Outlook and Windows to Resolve Compatibility Problems
Outdated Outlook or Windows versions can cause compatibility issues with mail servers and PST files. Installing the latest updates often fixes such problems.
- Open Outlook and navigate to File > Office Account > Update Options.
- Click Update Now.
- If updates are available, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update process.
Steps to Install Windows Updates:
- Open Settings on your system.
- Go to Windows Update and click Check for updates.
- Install any available updates and restart your system.
Keeping both Outlook and Windows up to date ensures better performance and helps prevent PST-related errors.
8: Repair a Corrupt PST File to Restore Outlook Access
PST file corruption is one of the most common causes of the Outlook .PST file cannot be opened error. To fix this, you can use SCANPST.exe, also known as the Inbox Repair Tool, which comes pre-installed with Microsoft Outlook and is located in the Office installation directory.
The Inbox Repair Tool can fix minor corruption issues in PST files. However, it has several limitations. It may freeze or crash when repairing severely corrupted PST files, and during the repair process, it can remove mailbox items that it considers unreadable, leading to data loss.
In such cases, using a professional solution like BitData Migration PST Converter is recommended. This advanced PST repair and recovery tool can efficiently handle severe PST corruption without file size limitations. It preserves the original mailbox structure, allows you to preview mailbox items before recovery, and saves the extracted data into a new, healthy PST file that can be easily imported into Outlook.
Conclusion: How to Resolve “Outlook .pst Cannot be Opened” Error Effectively
While launching Microsoft Outlook, you may encounter the error message, “Outlook .pst file cannot be opened.” Although this issue often occurs when another application is using the Outlook data file, several other factors such as corrupt PST files, faulty add-ins, OneDrive conflicts, outdated Outlook versions, or damaged profiles can also trigger this error.
By following the troubleshooting methods outlined in this guide, you can identify the root cause and resolve the issue effectively. If PST corruption is responsible, you can first attempt to repair the file using the Inbox Repair Tool (SCANPST). However, if SCANPST fails, freezes, or results in data loss, BitData Migration PST File Converter offers a reliable and advanced alternative to repair severely damaged PST files while maintaining complete data integrity.
