If you are unable to access your Outlook because of Outlook PST File Locked error, then your PST file corrupt or damaged. You have to fix the corrupt or damaged PST in order to get back your emails, contacts, attachments, notes, journals, calendars, and tasks. An error like this can make your important files corrupt, so you have to be careful while choosing the tool to solve this issue. In this article, we will discuss the possible reasons for this error and how to fix it.
Reasons for PST File Locked Error
There are several reasons for a PST file to get corrupt or damaged and produce PST file locked error. In this article, we will give an overview of the various problems connected to the cause of non-functioning of Outlook PST file.
1 – Hardware problem: At times your hard disk fails to transfer or store the PST files leading to PST file corruption. More than often, it may generate PST file locked error. You can categorize hard drive failure into three types;
A – Bad sectors: Hard drive having bad sector can lead to PST file corruption. To read emails from the PST file stored on such bad sectors is nearly impossible
B – Network Server Failure: In a business organization, it could be possible that your PST file is stored on a network server and you have to access that through a client computer. If there are any hardware problems in the network like hubs, routers, etc. then, it can cause corruption in your Outlook PST file.
C – Power Failure: When you are working on Outlook and then a sudden power outage would lead to PST file corruption.
2 – Software Problem: There are several software issues as well which can make your PST file corrupt or damage. Problems like file system error, virus attack, downloading data from unauthorized sites can also make your Outlook inaccessible.
Another reason for PST file corruption is, exceeding its normal 2GB storage size. An oversized PST file is a common reason for your PST file to go corrupt and can give PST file locked error message.
However, you can solve these problems manually. Microsoft offers an inbuilt repair tool Scanpst.exe to fix issues pertaining to Outlook data files. Unfortunately, Scanpst.exe fails to repair in most cases. Even repairing PST file lock error, scanpst.exe may not be successful because it has certain limitations within its functionality.
Limitations of Scanpst.exe
- It will collapse while repairing oversized PST files, as it is beyond ScanPST capability, thus the PST file locked problem remains unresolved.
- It is designed to fix basic header file corruption and not the entire broken or damaged file. Hence it can be considered as inefficient to repair most of the Outlook errors.
- When Outlook complains about an error, ScanPST shows no error. It fails to scan the Outlook data files for errors.
- When it fixes mirror issue, while recovery process, it may lose some files. It cannot keep the files intact during or after recovery process, hence trusting this tool to fix PST file locked error can be harmful, if not useful.
Outlook PST Repair Tool
The best way to repair damaged Outlook PST file is by using Outlook PST Repair Tool. This third-party tool is a brilliant utility to fix Outlook PST file locked error and other Outlook issues. Some of the salient features of the Outlook Repair tool are listed below:
Irrespective of the level of severity, the tool can fix all broken emails and PST files.
Additionally, it recovers other Outlook items like contacts, tasks, journals, and calendars etc. resolving your Outlook PST file locked error.
- It recovers even password protected files.
- Restores files in its original form
- Allows you save repaired files in your desired location.
- Has self-descriptive and interactive GUI.
- Even a novice can run this easy-to-use tool.
- Compatible with all Windows versions
- Offers free trial version to test to see if Outlook file locked error can be fixed before you buy the product.
- Supports all versions of Outlook like MS Outlook 2000, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016 etc.
Conclusion, by making use of automated Outlook PST Repair Tool, you can easily solve your Outlook PST file locked error. With few simple steps get back your Outlook data files.