Outlook Data File Cannot be Opened – How to Fix?

Sahil Verma | Updated On - May 12, 2023 |

Read time: 7 minutes

“I was having a lot of trouble with my Outlook data file. It just wouldn’t open. I tried many things I could think of, but nothing worked. I was getting really frustrated. Then, I happened to come across a few easy solutions that fixed the issue right away. All it took was some step-by-step instructions, and my Outlook data file opened right up!”

Many Outlook users have reported errors related to “Outlook data file cannot be opened.” It’s amazing to see how some easy solutions can be of help to fix this issue.

Now, we will discuss the causes of this problem and the ways to fix them. We will also provide an ultimate troubleshooter if these solutions don’t work. So, if you are experiencing problems opening your Outlook data file, stay tuned for our helpful tips.

Why My Outlook Data File Cannot be Opened?

Occasionally when trying to open your Outlook Data File, you may receive an error that the file cannot be opened. This can be due to:

• The file is damaged or corrupt
• Outlook is not using the correct data file
• The data file has been moved or renamed
• There are compatibility issues with the data file
• The data file is being used by another program
• There are permissions issues with the data file

If you receive this error, first check to see if the file path is correct. If not, make sure that Outlook is pointed to the correct location of your data file.

If the problem persists, we have given some easy solutions, but it is advisable to keep a backup of the PST file before carrying out these steps for an extra layer of protection with your data.

1. Creating and Using a New Outlook Profile
   To fix the “Outlook data file cannot be opened” issue, you can create a new Outlook profile. This will reset Outlook and allow you to start fresh. Here’s how:
   • First, access the Control Panel and click on Mail. Then, under the Profile section, click on Show Profiles.
   • Next, click on Add and enter a name for your new profile; click on OK and then Finish.
   • Now that your new profile has been created, you need to set it as the default profile.
   • To do this, go back to the Mail window in the Control Panel and click on Always use this profile. Finally, select the new profile and click on OK.
   • Finally, restart Outlook, and you should be good to go!
2. Using the SCANPST.EXE Tool
   If you’re using Microsoft Outlook and you’ve encountered the error “the Outlook data file cannot be opened,” there’s a tool called SCANPST.EXE that can be used to try and fix the issue. Here are the steps to run SCANPST.EXE:
   • Close Microsoft Outlook.
   • Go to Start, then type “scanpst.exe” in the search field. This will bring up the tool.
   • Select the file you want to scan. If you’re not sure which file it is, check under C:\Users\ [Your Name]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook for files with a .pst or .ost extension.
   • Once selected the file, click on the “Start” button to begin scanning.
   • If errors are found, you’ll be given the option to repair corrupt Outlook PST files. Click on “Repair” to fix the issues that were found.
   • Once the repair is complete, restart Microsoft Outlook and see if the issue has been resolved.
3. Changing the Mail Delivery Location
   In case you are experiencing the error “Outlook Data File Cannot be Opened” when trying to open Outlook, it is likely because your mail delivery location is set to an old or invalid location. To fix this issue, you will need to change your mail delivery location to the correct path.
   • In Outlook, go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
   • Under the “Email” tab, find your account and click “Change.” In the IMAP Account Settings section, fill out the new mail delivery location.
   • Once you’re done with the new mail delivery location, click “Next” and restart Outlook. This should allow you to access your emails.
4. Gaining Ownership of the Outlook Data File
   The “Outlook Data File Cannot be Opened” error typically occurs when Outlook is unable to access the data file that stores all your email messages, contacts, and other data. Fortunately, there is a simple fix for this issue. So, you can take ownership of the data file. Here’s how:
   • Close Outlook and open File Explorer.
   • Navigate to the following folder: C:\Users\Your Username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook.
   • Right-click on the “Outlook Data File” and select “Properties.”
   • Tap on the “Security” tab & then tap on the “Advanced” button.
   • Choose the “Change” link next to the owner’s name.
   • Enter your username in the “Enter object name to select” field and click “OK.”
   • Check “Replace owner on subcontainers and objects.”
   • Hit the “Apply” button and then tap on “OK.”
   • Close all open windows and restart Outlook. Your data file should now be accessible.

Kernel for Outlook PST Repair helps to fix the ‘Outlook cannot be opened’ data file error. It can successfully repair and restore all mailbox items from corrupt or damaged PST file, such as emails, contacts, calendar items, tasks, journals, etc. This PST repair tool can also recover deleted mailbox items from the PST file. Furthermore, it supports all versions of MS Outlook, including 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, etc.

• Repairs and restores all mailbox items from the corrupt or damaged PST file.
• Supports all versions of MS Outlook.
• Recover deleted mailbox items from the PST file.
• Allows users to save repaired PST files in multiple formats, including DBX, MSG, MBOX, TXT, EML, RTF, HTML, and MHTML.
• Provides an option to split large-sized PST files into smaller parts.
• Allows users to preview repaired mailbox items before saving them.

Thus, with the help of this PST Repair Tool, users can fix the ‘Outlook data file cannot be opened’ error without any difficulty and in just a few simple steps.

Conclusion

Outlook data files are an important part of our daily lives. They store all our emails, contacts, and calendar items so that we can access them from any device or computer. But what do you do when your Outlook data file won’t open? So, we have outlined the easiest solutions for this issue. So, whether your Outlook data file is corrupted or just not opening correctly, one of these solutions will surely fix your problems.

Moreover, do not forget the ultimate troubleshooter, as it helps in repairing and recovering lost or inaccessible data due to corruption or any other reason. Get your hands on the trial version today and take a sneak peek into its easy-to-use yet advanced features.