How to Fix Issue, 'Errors have been detected in the OST'

As most of you already know when Outlook connects with an Exchange mailbox, then Offline Storage Table ( OST ) is created. The OST contains all the data of a user mailbox on Exchange Server and in case the user alters any change or damage, then the OST file is not affected. This is one of the prime reasons why OST files are so valuable and advantageous. In case of server downtime, the users can access OST files and continue accessing mailbox files without any hindrance. When the server connects online, then all the changes or modifications made in the mailbox is consolidated automatically on the server. However, there are situations when OST files cannot be accessed.

Most of the users face an error while using Outlook and a pop-up message displays on the screen. In this blog, we will discuss the reasons why the error occurs and how can a user resolve the issue, 'Errors have been detected in the OST'.

A-List of Common Reasons Behind the Errors

In some cases, when a user opens Outlook, then a pop-up message appears, 'Errors have been detected in the OST'. There are several reasons why the error occurs and we have listed a few below:

• Incorrect installation of Outlook on the system.
• Data system corrupted.
• Virus or firewall issue.
• Abrupt shut down of MS Outlook during Outlook-Exchange synchronizing.

If a user is encountering such an issue, then it is advisable that you quit Outlook and use the 'Inbox Repair Tool' (Scanpst.exe) to resolve the error.

How to Fix an OST File?

A user can repair an OST file by using various ways, however, we have listed some of the ways to fix an OST file below:

Retrieve From Backup

A user can retrieve an OST file from backed up data, however, this approach is not reliable as a user can lose some of the data while backing up OST files. This method has its own limitations and it does not provide a guarantee of the result.

Fix OST File Via Inbuilt Inbox Repair Tool

Microsoft has two 'Inbuilt Tools' to fix error issues with MS Outlook files, 'ScanOST.exe' and 'ScanPST.exe'. The user can use any of the inbuilt tools to resolve any minor issues. This approach has a major set back that it can be applied only to fix a minor issue and it cannot fix a major issue. Another disadvantage of using this approach is that it is not compatible with the Outlook 2007 versions such as 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019.

Clear the Offline Files

Clearing the offline files from an OST file is another way to fix an error. In some scenarios, the corruption can be triggered because of the Offline files. It is highly suggested to clean the Offline OST data and we have mentioned the steps below:

• You need to first find the OST file on your operating system.
• Right click on the 'Folder' consisting of the data.
• Click on 'Properties'.
• Select the option 'Clear Offline Items' from the Dialog box.
• Click on 'OK' and launch MS Outlook.
• Now, click on the 'Send/Receive' option.
• Then, click on the 'Update Folder'.

Once you execute the above-mentioned steps, then delete the OST file. When MS Outlook will synchronize with Exchange Server, then a new OST file will be created automatically and all files in the mailbox will be downloaded. This method to fix the OST file is not a safe option as it can cause loss of data if the OST file is corrupted before the recent modifications are merged with the Exchange Server mailbox.

Create a new Outlook profile

Another reason behind a pop-up message, 'Errors have been detected in the OST' is due to the corruption of default Outlook profile. If the reason for the error is due to corruption, then it is recommended to create a new Outlook profile. We have mentioned the steps to create a new Outlook profile below:

• The user needs to delete the current default Outlook profile.
• After deleting the old profile, the user needs to create a new profile.
• Now, set the new profile as the default Outlook profile.

If you have tried the above-mentioned steps to resolve the issue, 'Errors have been detected in the OST' and yet, you are unable to fix the issue, then we suggest you use an OST to PST converter to convert files from OST to PST format. By using an automated tool, the user can be rest-assured as it ensures 100 % positive results to fix the error without risking the security of files.

Solution to Convert OST to PST Files Via OST to PST Converter

If you have tried the various manual methods and yet, you are unable to fix the error, then the best way to solve the issue is by fixing it via KDETools OST to PST converter. The advanced software extracts all the data from the corrupted OST file and converts it in PST file format safely without losing even a single file. By using the tool, the user can resolve the issue, 'Errors have been detected in the OST' without risking the security of files.

Install OST to PST Converter Tool

Solution to Fix Issue, 'Errors have been detected in the OST'

• Run KDETools OST to PST Converter on the operating system.
• Click on the 'Browse' option to download the OST files.
• Now, check the OST files by clicking on the 'Preview' from the right pane of the converter.
• Click on the 'Export' option.
• Select the saving options from the displayed options on the screen.
• You can opt for the 'Splitting' feature for splitting the file depending on your requirement.
• Then, click on the 'Message Filtering' option to break the OST file by a specific date range.
• Click on the 'Convert' tab to start the conversion process.
• Click on 'OK'.

The above-mentioned are the steps to convert OST to PST files by using KDETools OST to PST converter. This method is safe and the user will not lose even a single file as it ensures 100 % guarantee. Ensure that you avoid using the manual approach to fix the error as it does not ensure a positive result and the user might lose their entire data or lose some of the files.

Summary

This blog entails the details on the various methods to fix the issue, 'Errors have been detected in the OST'. If a user is unable to fix OST files by using any of the above-mentioned methods, then we recommend using KDETools OST to PST converter to resolve the issue safely without losing even a single file.

For more information: https://www.kdetools.com/how-to/convert-ost-to-pst-without-outlook.html