How to Fix PST File When ScanPST.exe Fails to Repair - An Untimate Guide!!!

Updated on April 30, 2020

ScanPST.exe is an inbox repair tool that comes built-in with Microsoft Outlook application, and it's function is to fix any issues with the Outlook Data Files (.pst and .ost). When Outlook data files .pst and .ost files gets corrupt and goes inaccessible, one can make use of this inbox repair tool to fix the issues. Most of the times, scanPST.exe fixes the issues with the Outlook data files, but when the severity of the corruption with the Outlook data files is higher, then this inbox repair tool fails to repair and may cause further more damage to the Outlook data files.

When scanPST.exe fails to repair PST file, the only option left out with Outlook users is to opt for reliable third party repair tools to fix issues with their Outlook data files. Many tools are available online to fix corrupt or inaccessible Outlook data files. As most of these utilities are free, it’s easier for Outlook users to fix unexpected errors like PST is not an Outlook data file, error, not a valid PST file, error while sending/recieving emails, etc. occurring in the PST file. But scanpst.exe tool may not able to repair and recover all the data from the Outlook PST file. Because at times when PST is severely corrupted or infected with malicious software or in case you have deleted an email or attachments, the scanpst.exe scanpst.exe fails to fix it.

Why and when scanPST.exe fails to repair PST file?

Whenever some irregularities occur in Outlook, SCANPST automatically prompts with a message asking permission to fix the corrupt PST file or sometimes when you infer that your .pst file is corrupt, you make use of scanpst.exe for repairing it.

As you run the SCANPST and browse to select the Outlook PST file, the SCANPST checks the file directory structure and file headers (low-level objects) for corruptions and tries to repair the file. But it does not repair the upper-level objects like messages, attachments, calendar items, subfolders, notes, etc. because the low-level structure does not have the information regarding the upper-level ones. Hence, Scanpst.exe fails to repair the PST file.

The worse condition is when SCANPST is unable to read the structure of a folder or item, then it deletes the entire folder with its subfolders, from the directory. Thus, you end up losing more data and land in further trouble.

So, What to Do When Scanpst.Exe Fails?

Try This Trick When Scanpst.Exe Fails to Repair PST File

Caution: Backup your PST file before trying this method.,/

  • In Outlook File menu, select New, then Outlook Data File
  • Choose Office Outlook Personal Folders File (.pst), and click on OK
  • In File name box, give a new name for the file, and hit OK
  • In Name box, give a display name for the .pst folder, and opt OK
  • Next, select Tools, choose Account settings, then Data Files
  • Choose the new Outlook Personal Folders File (.pst), and opt Set As Default
  • Select your old PST file and Remove it
  • Close the window and quit Outlook

If the above technique fails to resolve your issue, then don’t lose hope! Yodot Outlook PST Repair tool is the ultimate resolution to fix errors in Outlook PST file.

Yodot Outlook PST Repair - An alternative tool when scanPST.exe fails to repair PST file..!

Yodot Outlook PST Repair is the one-stop solution for your Outlook related troubles when Scanpst.exe fails to repair. The software employs file-by file repair technique, hence ensuring high success rate in cases of repair. It scans the corrupt PST file, repairs each and every file sector vice and copying the recovered files to a completely new document. This methodology helps you to repair and recover email folders, sub-folders, emails, attachments, subject, message body, mail header, contacts, calendar items, notes, tasks, journals and even the deleted emails (but PST should not be compact).

Step-By-Step Repair Process to Repair PST File When Scanpst.Exe Fails:

Step 1: Download and install Yodot Outlook PST Repair software on your system.

Step 2: Select,

  • Open PST File - To browse and locate the .pst file that is to be repaired (if the location is known).
  • Find PST File – To Find and select the PST file (if do not know the .pst file location).
  • Select Outlook Profile – To choose PST file if your PC has multiple Outlook profiles.

Step 3: Click the scan process; either Normal Scan or Smart Scan based on corruption severity.

(Suggested Smart Scan since Scanpst.exe failed to fix the PST as it is severely corrupted).

Step 4: Browse the destination folder where you want to save the fixed Outlook PST file and hit Repair button.

After scan, preview your PST file in Outlook styled folder view. And, finally, if you are satisfied with the result (definitely you are) click the Buy button to enjoy full service of this application.

Precautionary Measures

  • Backup a copy of the PST file, before using Scanpst tool, to avoid unwanted loss
  • Maintain the PST file size as per the MS Outlook version, to prevent corruption
  • Do not terminate the Outlook improperly

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