However, if your email server supports ONLY a POP3, auto account setup will create a POP3 account. More often than not, it’s caused by either a corrupted Outlook profile or a change in the data file’s location. And though an error fix MFA prompts not working message might look worrying, you may be able to fix the problem.

Fixing 'Outlook Data File Cannot Be Accessed' Error on PC

Then, in the next window, make sure you're on the tab marked \"Sync and backup\". On the righthand side of the window, choose the button to \"manage backup\". In that window, ensure the \"Documents\" folder is not enabled to sync to OneDrive. You may need to move the Outlook data file back down from OneDrive. FixTechGuide mailbox repair steps Sometimes, rather than keeping a backup it actually takes the files off your system and moves them up to the cloud.

• In this step-by-step guide, you’ll find practical methods to resolve the error and recover your data, whether you’re dealing with a corrupted file or a disconnected profile.
• That is almost definitely the problem and it's very common unfortunately.
• This is a good solution if you think your data file might be corrupted.
• In the Folder Pane, you might see a folder named Recovered Personal Folders that contains your default Outlook folders or a Lost and Found folder.
• On the righthand side of the window, choose the button to "manage backup".

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To make sure this is not the case, try opening Outlook and see if it found the data file. Then, in the next window, make sure you're on the tab marked "Sync and backup". On the righthand side of the window, choose the button to "manage backup".

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I tried using the repair process (SCANPST.EXE) which appeared to detect issues but also appeared to complete a successful repair, but the issue persists. I tried to manually access the OST file location and I could read the file just fine. If this diagnostic step works and fixes the error, disabling your add-ins should help prevent it from happening again. Creating new Outlook profile or rebooting the computer fixes the issue. Find solutions to common problems or get help from a support agent. You can check the location of your Outlook Data Files in Outlook.

Repair Outlook Data Files (.pst and .ost)

It even comes with features like auto-split to split large PST files and export the PST contents directly to Microsoft 365. You can create a new Outlook Data File and drag the items in the Lost and Found folder into the new data file. After you've moved all the items, you can remove the Recovered Personal Folders (.pst) file, including the Lost and Found folder. To create a new Outlook Data File, go to Create an Outlook Data File. If your email server supports both IMAP and POP3, auto account setup will create an IMAP account by default. You will need to follow the manual steps in order to create a POP3 account.



On the other hand, accounts through fix Outlook after Windows update issues Office 365, Exchange Server, Outlook.com, and IMAP store information offline in Outlook data files (.ost files). One of the major reasons for the "Outlook data file cannot be accessed" error is corruption in the Outlook data file (PST). You can repair the corrupted PST file using the built-in Inbox Repair tool (also known as SCANPST) in Outlook. That is almost definitely the problem and it's very common unfortunately. You need to configure your OneDrive to not back up the directory where your Outlook data file resides. It is not possible for Outlook and OneDrive to both try to access the data file at the same time.