Microsoft Outlook is a strong and widely used email application by both individuals and companies. It is popular for its simplicity and powerful email management capabilities. Still, users have reported encountering unexpected issues and errors when using specific functions or operations of the application. “The file.pst cannot be found” is one error that is faced while carrying out the export function. This error typically occurs when the PST file is relocated, erased, damaged, or becomes inaccessible. Apart from this, other issues can also cause this problem in Outlook. Let’s observe the causes of the ‘File.pst cannot be found’ error and learn how to resolve it.

Reasons for the “The file.pst cannot be found” Error

This Outlook error can occur due to one or more of the following reasons:

• PST file you’re trying to access is stored on a network drive or cloud that is currently offline.
• Antivirus or any other third-party software is blocking the PST file.
• Outlook profile is corrupted or damaged.
• Corruption in the PST file.
• Hard drive errors or other issues.

Ways to Fix the Error ‘The File .pst cannot be Found’ in Outlook

Here are some solutions you can use to fix this error in Outlook.

1. Check the PST File Location

Obviously, Outlook will fail to access the Outlook data (PST) file if it does not exist in the default folder. The first thing to do in such a situation is to verify that the file exists in the correct default folder. To check this, in your Outlook, navigate to File > Account Settings > Account Settings > Data Files > Open File Location. This will open the default folder where the Outlook data (PST) file is supposed to be. You can search for the PST file. If it is not present at this location, then go to the location where it is stored and then move it there.

2. Create a New Outlook Profile

A corrupted or misconfigured Outlook profile can also lead to several problems and errors. The fix here is to install a fresh Outlook profile and replace it with the previously corrupted profile. Let’s proceed with how to do that.

• Open Control Panel and navigate to User Accounts > Mail.
• Select Show Profiles to see the collection of Outlook profiles in your system.
• Choose Add and give your new profile a name.
• Set up your email account according to the instructions.
• Open Outlook using the new profile once it has been created. You may also delete your previously corrupted profile.

3. Repair Damaged/Corrupted PST File

Corruption or damage in your Outlook data (PST) file is also a reason for the “The file .pst cannot be found” error in Outlook. If this is the case, then you can try the ScanPST.exe or Inbox Repair tool – a built-in data file repair tool in Outlook – to repair your corrupted PST file. This tool thoroughly scans the PST file for inconsistencies and errors, and tries to fix them. Let’s see how this utility works:  

• Close your Outlook application and locate the ScanPST.exe on your system. It is located in the Outlook installation directory.
• When found, double-click on it to launch the program. Then, click on the Browse option, select the PST file you want to repair, and click
• After scanning is complete, if errors are detected, click on Repair. Once the repair is complete, open Outlook and see if the error is resolved.

ScanPST Fails to Repair the Damaged PST File? Here’s the Solution 

ScanPST.exe has certain limitations due to which it can sometimes fail to repair the PST file. When ScanPST fails to repair the PST file, then the only option is to utilize a third-party professional PST repair software, such as Stellar Repair for Outlook . This software is specifically designed to effectively repair severely corrupted PST files without any size limitations. It helps recover all mail items from the corrupted file, including email messages, attachments, contacts, calendar items, and notes. Here’s how to use Stellar Repair for Outlook:

• Visit the official website stellarinfo.com and download the software.
• Install the tool and run it.
• You will notice two options: List Profile and Choose Manually. Select one of the options and choose the PST file that needs to be repaired.
  
• Click on Repair after choosing the PST file.
  
• The tool will begin the scanning process.
  
• After scanning is complete, you will have a list of all the items in the PST file.
  
• Select the items that you wish to save and click on Save Repaired File.
  
• Click on the PST choice in the Save As window and click Next. Then, click on Browse to select the location where you want to save the PST file.
  
• After the PST file is saved, the application will display a Saving Complete message. Click OK.
  

You can import the fixed PST file to Outlook and access your mailbox items without any problem.

Conclusion

The “The file .pst cannot be found” error, when it occurs, can hamper your productivity and restrict access to your critical data. Nevertheless, you can refer to the methods outlined in this guide to troubleshoot the error. If the error is linked to corruption within the PST file, then use a sophisticated PST repair software, such as Stellar Repair for Outlook, to easily and quickly correct the error. It is specifically designed to fix large, highly damaged files with ease. Once repaired, it saves the recovered data in a new PST file and many more file formats. It is free for download, which can assist you in testing its functionality and performance.