Scanpst Cannot Recognize PST File | Five Top-Notch Methods
User Query
Hello, Last night I tried to open my Outlook application but it is failed to open. So, I decided to repair my Outlook, and to this, I open the Scanpst.exe but the Scanpst cannot recognize the PST file. And due to that, I am not able to fix my PST file. Now, if anyone knows any solution to fix this issue along with the alternative way to fix the Outlook PST file, then please suggest to me.
Well, we know that Outlook is one of the most amazing and feature full email clients. And that is the reason it is one of the most used email clients around the globe. But one thing that is most common is PST corruption. And to fix this corruption Outlook has its own inbuilt Inbox Repair Tool which is also known as Scanpst.exe.
Primarily, this utility is the first choice of most Outlook users when they facing any issue with PST. But sometimes due to some reason, Scanpst cannot recognize the PST file. So keep reading this blog to know the reasons and solution.
Read More Outlook Issues and Its Solutions
Reasons Why Inbox Repair Tool Cannot Recognize PST File
- If your Outlook PST file is currently in use by another application
- Sometimes Inbox Repair Tool can not able to find a fix for the corruption
- May the read/write disk permissions are not applied
- If you have disk errors or bad sectors in your drive
- If your Outlook file size is large then you may face this issue.
Techniques to Resolve Scanpst Cannot Recognize PST File
Here in this section, we are going to discuss some of the techniques to resolve the issue. So, go through the write-up and choose the techniques to fix it.
#Method 1: Re-install or Update Outlook to Fix Inbox Repair Tool
Re-installing Microsoft Outlook is one of the quick ways to fix the Inbox Repair Tool or Scanpst.exe not working in Outlook and other versions. Users can also resolve this error by updating the Outlook version.
#Method 2: Create New Outlook PST File
If you are still getting the issue in Inbox Repair Tool then you can fix it by creating a new PST file. After that, copy the data of the old PST into the new PST. Doing this will allow viewing the content of the PST file again.
Note: This method is feasible only if you are able to open a corrupted PST file.
#Method 3: Close All the MS Outlook Associated Programs
To troubleshoot the Scanpst cannot recognize PST file, close all Outlook associated programs. And while closing the program always keen on in the mind to close those program that especially accesses your PST file such as MS Outlook. Then run the Inbox Repair Tool to repair the damaged PST file.
#Method 4: Compact the Outlook PST File
If Outlook PST exceeds its size then, the Outlook Inbox Repair tool fails to repair it. To avoid this situation, you have to compact the size of Outlook data files. Now, to do this just follow the below steps according to the installed Outlook version:
For Outlook 2007
Navigate to the File tab and click on Info then click on the Info
First, click on the Account Settings then choose Files
Now, choose the PST file
After that select Select Settings and then click on the General Tab
After that, click on Compact Now
For Outlook 2010 and 2013
First, right-click on the Personal Folder
Now, select Data File Properties then click on the Advanced
At last click on the Compact Now button.
The location of the PST file varies in different versions of Outlook. Find the PST file according to the installed Outlook version:
Outlook 2007
C: >> Program Files >> Microsoft Office >> Office12
Outlook 2010
C: >> Program Files >> Microsoft Office >> Office14
Outlook 2013
C: >> Program Files >> Microsoft Office >> Office15
Outlook 2016
C: >> Program Files >> Microsoft Office >> Office16
#Method 5: Repair or Re-install MS Outlook
If you are still facing issues in Scanpst connot recognize PST file, then you can try repairing or reinstalling MS Outlook. And to do this follow the below steps:
For Outlook 2019/2016/2013/2010,
1. Open the Control Panel and click on Programs and then click on the Programs and Features
2. Now, locate the Microsoft Office 2019/2016/2013/2010 installation in the list and click on it to highlight
3. Then click on Change
Automated Solution If ScanPST Cannot Recognize PST File
Now, after trying all the above solution if you are the issue still exist, then you can try third-party Outlook Recovery Tool. The tool is developed under SysTools and it is one of the most trusted software by many Outlook professionals. The tool is well capable to repair corrupted Outlook PST files. In addition, this tool also recovers the permanently deleted items in few clicks. So, if your Microsoft Outlook Inbox Repair Tool is not working, then you can tr this tool to repair the Outlook corruption issue.
Conclusion
There are lots of Outlook users facing the same issue while fixing PST files using Scanpst. So, here in this blog, we have discussed the best method to fix Scanpst cannot recognize PST file. Now it is up to you to choose the method to fix your problem.
