Why Do OST Files Get Corrupted? Top Causes Explained

OST files are highly vulnerable to corruption, making them completely inaccessible. To recover OST files, we must first understand the main reason behind the corruption. This article will take you through the top causes of OST file corruption. We’ll discuss some effective methods to repair corrupt OST files and the precautions you should take. Go through this article to safeguard your data.

Why is my OST file corrupt?

Several factors contribute to corruption in OST files. We’ve explained the top causes of OST file corruption in detail below.

Sudden Outlook crash

An abrupt crash of Outlook while working on OST files can damage them badly. Sudden termination like this creates synchronization errors and data inconsistencies. Usually, this can occur because of:

• Power outage– Unexpected power loss while working on an OST file leads to synchronization failure with the Exchange Server.
• Forceful termination of Outlook– Closing all instances of Outlook using the system’s task manager can give rise to corruption.
• System crash– If your system crashes due to unidentified reasons, it can cause a sudden termination of Outlook. This increases the chances of OST file corruption if it was being modified.

Unstable network connectivity

Disruption during the online sync process might lead to severe corruption in your OST files. Main kinds of disruption that may give rise to corruption are:

• Poor internet connectivity– Unstable or low bandwidth leads to poor connectivity with the Exchange Server.
• Unstable server connection– The network’s instability while synchronizing with the Exchange Server interrupts the data transfer.

Hardware corruption

Corruption in a device where the OST files are stored can damage the files. Common hardware issues, like bad drive sectors or faulty RAM, can corrupt the data file. Errors in RAM can give rise to mistakes while processing and transferring the data. Corruption in hardware can make the whole file inaccessible and may even lead to permanent data loss.

Oversized OST files

With time, the size of the OST file keeps increasing as new data gets saved. After a while, the oversized OST file starts creating some issues in Outlook. Some common problems include:

• Synchronization issues.
• Mailbox storage management issue.
• Inability to open/edit the OST file.
• Outlook application crashes while working.
• Failure in sending or receiving emails in Outlook.

It takes a lot of time to edit or synchronize large OST files, which slows down Outlook. This kind of delay can lead to data inconsistencies & further data corruption.

Improper handling of OST files

OST files can only be accessed through the profile they’re configured with. Trying to access these files from a different location or profile can damage them. Moreover, if there’s an interruption while editing the OST file, then it can also give rise to corruption.

Add-ins issue

Sometimes, add-ins or third-party tools can cause issues within Outlook. These faulty add-ins disrupt the Outlook’s functionality and cause storage issues. If an add-in is incompatible with your version of Outlook, then it can give rise to many errors. Moreover, some add-ins have bugs or coding errors that can interfere with Outlook’s core functionality.

Virus or malware attack

A virus or malware attack can seriously damage an OST file and make the data inaccessible. Typically, a cyber-attack can overwrite or delete entire sections of the data file. A virus attack can also corrupt the headers of OST files, which makes it impossible for Outlook to open them.

How to repair corrupt OST files?

Many methods are available to repair corrupt OST files, but not all are efficient. Corrupt OST files can be repaired via the Scan.OST tool or by creating a new OST file. You can try to turn off faulty add-ins that may interfere with Outlook’s performance. However, these methods are acceptable if you’re dealing with minor OST file corruption.

If your OST files are highly damaged, then it’s better not to take any chances. Recover data from OST files & save them in PST format using a professional OST to PST converter software. This tool restores all OST mailbox data from orphaned, damaged, or inaccessible OST files.

Conclusion

Corruption in OST files can have negative consequences on an organization’s productivity. Knowing the primary causes behind OST file corruption is necessary to repair them properly. We have described the top causes of OST file corruption in detail. 

Moreover, we have briefly mentioned some manual methods to repair corrupt OST files. If you are looking for a straightforward method, we’ve also given a professional OST to PST converter tool. Take the free trial today to know more