Quick Answer: The ‘Outlook.pst cannot be found’ error occurs when Outlook is unable to locate a specific PST file. It could’ve been moved, deleted, or renamed, which is why Outlook is unable to find it. There’s also a chance that the file might be damaged and that’s why Outlook cannot find the PST file. Try locating the PST file via Account Settings > Data File > Open File Location in Outlook. If that doesn’t work, create a new PST file, or check for corruption in the existing file.

Outlook.pst cannot be found error can turn into a big problem if affected PST file contains important personal or business-related information. You must fix this issue on a priority basis if you want to access your data again. This guide talks about the reasons behind the Outlook PST file cannot be found error and the effective methods to resolve this issue easily, starting with the easiest fix and then moving onto specific fixes like ScanPST.exe if you find out that your PST is damaged.

This anomalous behavior of MS Outlook can happen in the following situations:

  • The Outlook PST is located on a server that is not available.
  • The Outlook PST file is corrupt.

What Can Be the Reasons For ‘Outlook.PST Cannot Be Found’ Error?

  • Outlook PST is located on a server that is not available: When the Outlook PST is located on a server that is not available, the user won't be able to access emails, contacts, address book etc.
  • PST file was moved, renamed, or deleted: If the PST file was recently moved to different location, renamed, or deleted, Outlook won't be able to find it and show the file couldn't be found error.
  • PST file is corrupt: Force shutdown or sudden crashes of Outlook can corrupt the PST file, especially if it happens when the data file was being edited. If a PST file gets corrupted, Outlook won't be able to access it properly.

How to Fix Outlook PST Not Found Issue?

After discussing about Outlook PST not found error, let’s now discuss how to fix it. Below are the solutions that may work in this situation.

Method 1. Check PST File Path and Re-Open the File

If the PST file was moved sometime ago or if it’s on an inaccessible network drive, you can verify its file path again and then re-open it in Outlook. Follow the steps below to do this:

  1. Open Outlook application and click on File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
    2. click on account settings
  2. Go to the Data Files tab and see what’s the location listed for this file and check if it’s correct or not.
    3. click on data files
  3. If the PST file is unavailable, click on the Open File Location option to check where the selected PST file is saved.
    4. tap on open file location

If you’re able to successfully locate the PST file, follow the steps below to open the PST file in Outlook:

  1. Open Outlook and go to File.
  2. Go to Open & Export and click on the Open Outlook Data File.
  3. Open the location of the PST file that you recently opened.
  4. Select the file and click on Open to view the PST file in Outlook.

Method 2. Check Relevant Permissions for PST File

If the PST file is available at the correct location, check if your Outlook account has permission to access the PST file or not. This can happen if you’ve received the PST file from someone else or you’ve restored it from an old backup. Follow the steps given below to check this in your Outlook:

  1. Close all instances of Outlook running in the background.
  2. Go to the location where your PST file is saved.
  3. Right-click on the PST file and click on Properties.
  4. Verify if the Read Only checkbox is unchecked or not in the General.
  5. Now, open the Security tab and check if your Outlook account has the relevant permissions to view the PST file or not.

Method 3. Check for Corruption in PST Files

If the PST file is available at its location and there’s no permission issue either, check once if there’s any damage or corruption in your PST file. To check for errors in PST file, take the help of the Inbox Repair Tool (ScanPST.exe) to scan for and detect errors. Locate the ScanPST.exe tool on your system depending on the version of Outlook and Windows. If you do find that there’s any corruption in your PST file, repair it promptly and then see if Outlook can open it or not.

But what if you face severe corruption issues in your PST? Is ScanPST still the best way now? Not ideally but you can use a reliable Outlook PST repair tool to fix any major structural or any kind of damage within your PST file.

Method 4. Creating a New Outlook Profile

Creating a new Outlook profile might help you fix this issue. For this, you will need to follow the steps below:

  1. Open Control Panel on your system.
  2. In the Control Panel, look for the Mail (Microsoft Outlook) option. Make sure your View by filter is set to Large icons.
    3. choose mail option
  3. In the Mail Setup, choose Outlook dialogue box, and select Show Profiles.
    4. select show profiles
  4. Now, click on the Add button to proceed with adding the file.
    5. click on add button
  5. Provide a name and click on OK.
  6. Now again, click on Mail in the control panel and select Data Files (in Mail Setup-Outlook dialogue box).
    7. click on data files
  7. Now select the new Outlook profile from the list, and make it the default Outlook profile, by clicking on the Set as Default.
    8. set as default
  8. Now, close everything and start the Outlook again.

Method 5. Try Repairing Outlook

Another way to fix the Outlook PST not found issue is to try repairing Outlook. By repairing the Outlook installation you can actually avoid the chances of having the corrupt files. Follow the below-mentioned steps to repair the Outlook installation:

  1. Open Control Panel on your system.
  2. There select the Programs and Features option available there.
    3. select programs and features
  3. Now in Uninstall or change a program, look for Microsoft Office and then select Change.
    4. select change option
  4. Allow permissions.
  5. Now Office will ask you about your preferences to repair Outlook. You need to select Quick Repair as the repair option.
    6. select quick repair
  6. Wait for the repair process to finish and once it is done, restart Outlook again.

Conclusion

The Outlook.pst cannot be found error doesn’t always occur because of PST file corruption. The right method to fix depends on if the PST file is available at its original location or not and whether it can be opened and accessed in Outlook easily. First, try locating it and then try to reconnect it with Outlook. If you fail, then check for any structural damage in the file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Outlook PST file cannot be found error?

A: This error occurs when Outlook cannot find the file it’s set work on. Usually, it happens if the PST file was renamed, deleted, or moved to a different location recently. It can also happen if the data file was stored on a network drive that’s now unavailable.

Q: Does PST cannot be found error mean my PST is corrupt?

A: No, it’s not always the case. Corruption can be one of the reason, though not primary, if the file still exists at its original location.

Q: Will my emails get lost if Outlook is unable to find my PST file?

A: Not necessarily, if the file was moved or renamed, the emails are still safe but at a different location. If the PST file was deleted, check in the Recycle Bin once or look for any backups.

Aaruni Arora
Aaruni AroraTechnical Writer

This article is written by Aaruni Arora, a technical content writer at Kernel Data Recovery. This content has been reviewed in accordance with our editorial guidelines.

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