Unable to Read PST Files in Outlook - A Guide to Solve the Issue
Tags: outlook, pst
Published: 2024-04-15 12:29:55

Sometimes, due to various reasons, users are unable to read PST files in Outlook. So, we have brought the solutions to this problem to you in this article. In this, we will discuss the reasons behind this and the solutions so that you can view the file easily.

There are millions of users who use Outlook in their daily work. Because of its amazing features and the customization tools, people use this in both professional and personal work. Despite all these advantages, sometimes some problems may arise that make it difficult for the users to work. The problem of not being able to view PST files in Outlook is also one of the problems many users experience. But why does this issue occur, and why do a lot of users face it?

## Reasons Why Users Cannot View PST Files in Outlook

This is one of the most common problems among users, and the reasons are many.

- One of the major causes of this issue is that your file is damaged or corrupted.
- Because of a hardware failure, your Outlook program crashes.
- You are unable to read the file because you are using an oversized PST file.
- Errors in Microsoft Outlook.

So these are some of the possible causes where you cannot see the file in Outlook. We understand the reasons why this happens. Now, let’s see the solutions to resolve the problem.

## Solutions for Unable to Read PST Files in Outlook Issue

You can view the file if you use these methods. Ending unnecessary tasks helps you read the file only in Outlook. Users can easily read the file in safe mode to prevent the file from causing the problem. You can solve the issue using scanpst.exe to repair your file for any corruption issues. If the problem still exists after using the file, then use a tool to directly view the content of the file without using Outlook. So, there are four methods available to fix the issue.

- Close unwanted background programs.
- Use Outlook in safe mode.
- Repair the PST file using SCANPST.exe.
- Use software to view PST files without the Outlook program.

### Solution 1: Close Unwanted Programs and Processes

If your PST file is running in many programs, then it is better to close those programs and then read it in Outlook.

1. On the homepage of your computer. Right-click on the taskbar area at the bottom of the screen.
2. Select the Task Manager option and click More Details.
3. Click on the Processes tab and find the process names for Outlook, Communicator, Lync, and UCMAPI.
4. Select those processes and click the End Task button.
5. Close the task manager and restart the Outlook program.

### Solution 2: Use Outlook in Safe Mode

By viewing PST files in safe mode, we can find the cause of the problem of being unable to read PST files in Outlook. For this, we have to install the Safe Mode extension.

1. Press the Windows+R keys. Search for outlook.exe/safe and open it.
2. If the error disappears, then click on File and Options.
3. Select Add-ins and disable all add-ins.
4. After that, open Outlook and enable add-ins to find the issue.
 
### Solution 3: Repair the PST File using SCANPST.EXE

If your problem still persists, then the problem is with your PST file. To solve that, we have to repair the file, and Outlook has an Inbox Repair Tool to find the error in your file and solve it automatically. The tool is located in your MS Outlook installation directory.

1. Close MS Outlook and follow the path C:\Program Files\ Microsoft Office\OfficeXX or C:\Program Files (x86)\ Microsoft Office\OfficeXX
2. Open the SCANPST.EXE program. Click the Browse button and select your PST file that you want to open.
3. Click Start, and then the program scans your PST file for any errors.
4. If it finds any errors, click on the Repair button.
5. During the process, you will see the Inbox Repair Tool not responding. Do not close the process, as that is how this program works.
If the program freezes or is not responding, then that means that you are using a large PST file. That way, the problem of being unable to read PST files in Outlook cannot be solved. For this, you have to use third-party software to view the files.

### Solution 4: Professional Solution to Fix Cannot View PST Files in Outlook

The solutions we have discussed till now are all free and manual, but if your problem is still not solved, then the only solution left is to use software. **FreeViewer [PST Reader Utility](https://www.freeviewer.org/pst/)** is software that lets you read the content of a file without requiring Outlook. This tool allows you to view any condition of a file, whether it is normal, damaged, or corrupted. Not only that, you can export the file in PDF format or another format as well. The software provides many features, such as.

#### Features of Software

- The software provides a complete preview of your emails with attachments.
- It offers many preview modes, like HEX, HTML, RTF, MIME, etc.
- You can scan your file for any corruption issues.
- The software can be installed on all versions of Windows and Windows Server.
- It also allows users to view the email properties of the file, such as sent, received, subject, etc.

#### Steps to View PST Files 

1. Download and install the software.
2. Click on the Add File option and browse the location of the PST file that you want to read.
3. Click on Advance Scan to scan your file for any corruption issues. Click on the Add File option.
4. After that, the software loaded your file and displayed it in the centre of the screen.
5. Click on the files one by one to view the content of the file.

#### Conclusion
In this article, we explain the problem of being unable to read PST files in Outlook. You can now understand the reason behind this issue. So whenever this issue happens, just use the solutions discussed above to solve your problem. We have explained the solutions with clear steps so that you have no trouble facing any problems.