What to do Next If Scanpst.exe Does not Work

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  • Updated on August 16th, 2023

Summary: Users often prefer MS Outlook for email communication; PST (Personal Storage Table) files store messages and calendar events in Outlook, but it’s mostly prone to corruption. MS Outlook provides Scanpst.exe, the inbox Repair Tool for Outlook, to deal with PST file corruption. Using this tool, can scan the whole damaged PST file and fix an issue; however, if you face any issue with the scanpst.exe tool provided by MS Outlook. And also want to know what to be done in case Scanpst.exe does not work. If yes, then go through this write-up till the end. You will learn about a professional method (Outlook PST Repair Tool) that is the best alternative to Outlook Scanpst.exe in case it is causing problems. Download Now   Purchase Now

Before proceeding further, let’s get into more depth regarding Scanpst.exe.

What is Scanpst.exe?

Scanpst.exe is an inbuilt tool in MS Outlook known as Inbox Repair Tool. This tool has been created to recover corrupted PST files. However, this tool does not always provide the desired output. Most users also say that to diagnose the error, and One needs to run the scanpst.exe tool multiple times until it can discover the problem in the given file.

Now, let’s discuss the users’ challenges with Outlook File Corruption Issues in detail.

Scenarios When Scanpst.exe Does Not Work

Scanpst.exe or Inbox Repair Tool can only recover minor-level corrupt PST files. However, if your PST file gets severely corrupted due to any of the below-mentioned reasons, then this tool will not work. There is multiple Outlook error that ends up making the PST file corrupt or inaccessible. Some of the common Outlook errors are as follows:-

  • Error During File System Recovery:- Sometimes, users try to recover the corrupted system files using unreliable data recovery software or data recovery services. It often ends up with severely damaged PST files.
  • Reinstallation of Outlook: Outlook PST files can get severely corrupted due to reinstallation or incomplete operating system installation.
  • Outlook or System Crash:- Sudden PC shutdown due to a power cut or improper network connectivity can cause PST corruption.
  • High-Level corruption:- Scanpst.exe tool is only meant to fix minor corruption. When the Outlook PST files are severely corrupted, this tool cannot fix it.
  • Oversized Outlook File:- Each version of Outlook PST has a predefined data storage space. The PST files get corrupted once this defined storage space gets full or close to the maximum limit.

However, these are the common Outlook error in which Scanpst does not repair PST file. Let’s move further and discuss in detail the manual and professional methods to repair the scanpst.exe does not work issue. Initially proceeding with manual, then moving towards the professional approach.

Manual Fixes When Scanpst Not Responding after Clicking Repair

The manual methods for fixing the Scanpst.exe tools are as follows:-

1. Update the Scanpst.exe Utility

To update the Scanpst.exe utility, you must install all the updates available for an Outlook email client you installed on your system. Scanpst.exe tool is part of the MS Outlook installation. Either of them cannot be installed or updated independently. The only way to update Scanpst.exe is to install every update offered by Microsoft for the particular version of Outlook you are using.

2. Reinstall the Outlook Application

In case we are updating Outlook, it doesn’t fix the issue; there can be chances that the Outlook installation is corrupted. In such cases, Outlook reinstallation can resolve the issue.

3. Check the PST File’s Size and Make an Effort to Minimize it

If you still find that scanpst.exe is not responding, you must choose another option. Check for an Outlook version if it is Outlook 2002 or earlier, then check the PST file size. If its around 2G or more, you need to reduce the file size, which is as follows:-

  • Firstly empty the Deleted items folder.
  • Select File > Account settings > Account Settings.
  • Choose the data file you want to compress (reduce size) on the Data Files tab.
  • Go for Settings. Click the Advanced tab and then select Outlook Data File Settings. You will observe a dialogue box with the title Outlook Data File Settings open, Hit on Compact now and click OK.

Finally, after reducing the size of the PST file, Run the Scanpst.exe utility again to recover the PST file. Most of the time, it runs without issues and fixes the PST file.

4. Transfer the PST files to a New Computer

Another manual method you can do to fix the scanpst repair not responding issue is to transfer the PST files to a new computer that has the same version of Outlook same as in the previous system you have.

These are the few manual approaches you implement to make this tool work. This manual method is unsatisfactory and has minimal chance of certainty that the issue will be resolved; this manual method is all the hit and trial method. Due to such drawbacks, users search for alternate methods than third-party software. Let’s discuss in details regarding this professional solution further.

Fix Scanpst.exe Not Responding Error Using Third Party Solution

An Outlook PST Repair is a professional third-party software developed to repair corrupt or damaged PST data files. This software is the best alternative if Scanpst repair is not responding. It’s more reliable and more certain. It repairs data from corrupt PST files and restores them into new healthy PST files. It can save into many file formats other than PST, such as EML, MSG, DBX, and MBOX format. Let’s look further into the step-by-step procedure for PST Repair Tool.

Step by Step Resolution for Scanpst Repair Not Responding Issue

Step-by-step methods are as follows:-

  1. Download, Install, and run the Pst Repair Tool on your System.
  2. Browse the PST file from which you want to recover emails.
  3. Choose the recovery Mode and PST file details per your requirements and click OK.
  4. After this, the tool will scan the selected PST file. Also, you can preview the email data in between the recovery process.
  5. From the Folder list, select the emails and folders which you need to recover and hit the Save option.
  6. Set the destination to save the output file. Additionally, choose the saving format as PST and other in-built features from the software as per the needs and click OK.
  7. At last, from the selected PST file, you have recovered the emails and saved them at the chosen destination. Hit on OK.

Conclusion

In this write-up, we have covered the challenges users face when: scanpst.exe does not work. Scanpst.exe is the free inbox repair utility provided by MS Outlook to fix the minimal corrupted Outlook PST data files. But for highly corrupted Data files, this tool doesn’t work. Then we suggest an alternative professional resolution, the best Outlook PST File Repair Tool that can smoothly complete the repair process.

FAQ

Why Scanpst fails to work?

If the PST data file is highly corrupted, the scanpst.exe utility fails to recover. It can only recover the minimal corrupted pst data files. Also, the size of the PST file can be an issue. If the size is huge, there are chances that the process can stop in between. Additionally, scan pst fails to work for all those who are password protected.

Why Repair PST files with PST Repair Tool? 

Outlook PST Repair Tool is an efficient and reliable choice for repairing Corrupt data files. However, this software provides the most certain results. It recovers all items, such as emails, calendars, contacts, journals, etc., included in the mailbox.

About The Author:

Adom Smith is a DataRecoveryHelp Technology Writer. He is a technology enthusiast with over 3 years of experience in Data Recovery, IoT, Artificial Intelligence, and Robotics. He enjoys researching and sharing DIY solutions as well as tips and tricks for resolving Windows technical issues.

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