How to Fix OST Corruption Issues, which Restricts Send/Receive Emails?

Microsoft Outlook is popularly used email client globally because it allows users to work in an offline mode. In addition, when Microsoft Outlook is connected to Exchange Server, entire mailbox data is stored locally in the system also in Offline Storage Table (OST) file format. It is basically used as a replica of Exchange mailbox as it maintains complete records of the account stored on the server on the local machine. However, the main purpose of this OST file is to let users continue their work even in the server downtime due to any reason. Any changes done in offline mode gets updated automatically to Exchange Server whenever the connection is established again.

But, there are some circumstances in which a user encounter errors while using Exchange mailbox data via Offline OST file. Improper synchronization between the Outlook and Exchange is the main cause of such errors. However, if there is an error in Outlook OST file, then it will also create a problem in mailbox access. Thus, this blog will let users know how to resolve OST error 0x8004010F that restricts send/ receive emails.

All Possible Reasons Behind OST Error 0x8004010F

OST file is very prone to corruption due to various reasons. For example, file size limit exceeds virus attacks, accidental shutdown cause corruption etc. As it is clear that these are the most common reason behind damaged OST file, but there can be some human-generated errors also. Sometimes, while sending or receiving emails via MS Outlook, users encounter following error:

"0x8004010F: Outlook data file cannot be accessed"
or
"0x8004010F: The operation failed. An object could not be found"

However, these two are the MAPI error and it always occurs at the time of offline address book synchronization during send/ receive operation. Some of the major reasons behind this error are:

Corruption in Outlook OST file

1. Improper setup or damaged Outlook profile
2. The default location of OST file is changed on the local machine
3. After upgrading, you have copied old OST file used by older Outlook version

This 0x8004010F error code will prevent users from sending and receiving emails from Microsoft Outlook. Thus, solving this error will be the first priority in order to regain access to Outlook mailbox data.

Different Tricks to Resolve Send/ Receive Emails Error in Outlook

There are various possible ways in which a user can repair damaged OST file in Outlook. Thus, to know about the same, follow the section below:

Trick #1: Change Message Delivery Location

In order to repair inaccessible OST file, a user is suggested to follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Open Microsoft Outlook application on the local machine
2. Navigate to File >> Account Settings >> Account Settings option
3. Then, click on the Change Folder option and simply expand it is by clicking on the + sign given just adjacent to it
4. Now, choose the Inbox folder and click on the New Folder option in order to create a new temp or temporary folder. Enter the name and click on OK button.
5. Next, you have to choose the folder. Which is recently created by you. Click on the OK button. 

6. Now, the location is changed and it will show you the new folder location.
7. After this, change the temporary folder back to its original location. For this, click on the Change Folder again.
8. Choose the Inbox and click on OK again.
9. Exit the Account Settings and click on the Send/Receive button.

Trick #2: Use Scanpst.exe Tool
Microsoft provides a free utility named as Inbox Repair Tool or scanpst.exe to repair Outlook OST and PST file. It scans the OST file and locates if there is any issue with it or not. In addition, it tries to repair the damaged OST file also. But it is capable to repair only minor level of corruption from OST file. In the case of severely corrupted OST file, a user is advised to look for some alternative.

Trick #3: Using Third-party Software
If any of the above methods is unable to repair severely corrupted OST file, then a user is advised to use some third-party tool named as OST Repair software. The application is designed to fix all corruption issues of OST file of Microsoft Outlook in just a few simple clicks. This tool will allow users to fix all OST file error code, including 0x8004010F that results in Send/ Receive error. In the case of badly damaged OST file, the software will perform an advance scan on it and repair it. Apart from this, it recovers all data items stored inside the Outlook OST file without any hassle. Moreover, a user can easily use this application on any version of Microsoft Windows OS.

Conclusion
If a user is not able to send or receive emails from Microsoft Outlook mailbox, then it is only because of corruption in OST file. It starts generating error code 0x8004010F, which is hard to resolve using manual procedure. Thus, to remove OST corruption issues, which restricts send/ receive emails via a third-party tool suggested above.