Outlook is one of the most popular email services right now. Businesses worldwide rely on Outlook for communication due to its excellent compatibility with third-party apps. Your daily workflow may already include Outlook.
Just like any other software Outlook, too can give you errors.
Imagine one day, Outlook syncs with your corporate server and throws an error. Your display reads cannot access the data files. You are stuck and cannot get the new emails. What can you do to make the error go away?
To save you precious time, I have compiled all the methods you can apply to fix this problem. Make sure you follow the steps correctly.
Let’s start fixing your Outlook now.
Why Outlook Data File Cannot be Accessed?
You cannot access the Outlook data file mainly because you don’t have ownership over that file. Besides, the Outlook profile getting corrupted, Windows Firewall not allowing Outlook to communicate with the server and problems with the Office installation files are the reasons behind this issue.
Outlook can also show the error code 0x8004010F. It can happen when Outlook profiles are corrupted. The data files stored on your computer cannot sync with the server.
Now let’s take a look at why these errors take place.
Note: To solve this error code 0x8004010F, a new data file is needed for Outlook to save your information. Additionally, you will need to create a new Profile containing your email information.
Here is why you cannot access the data files in Outlook:
You don’t have ownership of the data files
Multiple users on a computer do not have access to all the files. If you are not set as the owner of a file, Outlook can throw an error. It needs access to the files to operate efficiently.
Your Outlook profile is corrupted
The credentials of your Outlook are stored in the pst files. If the folder becomes large, it can cause problems syncing with the server.
Windows Firewall blocks Outlook
A Firewall is designed to block apps when they connect to the internet. It can be troublesome if Outlook is blocked. You will not get the newest emails and calendars.
Outlook Installed files are damaged
Outlook is installed in the C drive. If these files are changed, Outlook can no longer function correctly. You have to repair Outlook to make it work.
Check out the easiest way to enable read receipts in Outlook.
How to Fix Outlook Data File Cannot be Accessed
Creating a new data file and profile can fix the problems you are facing now.
Create a new profile and link your data file to it. The new profile will not have any issues as before.
You can also change the location of the data file. This way, Outlook can use the new location to store all the files and configurations there.
Make sure to assign your username as the Owner of the data file. This way, any error that comes from authorization will be solved.
Now let’s talk in detail about how you can fix this.
Here are the fixes that can solve the Outlook Data File Cannot be Accessed Error:
1. Locate the Position of the Data File in Outlook
You can place the data file anywhere on the disk drive. Outlook stores the file in the AppData folder under users in the C drive, in the default configuration. If you have a different configuration, you can quickly locate the position of the data file.
Here are the steps to find the location of the data file in Outlook:
- Press the Windows key and search Control Panel.
- Click to open Control Panel.
- Open Mail under User Accounts on the Left side of the screen.
- Click the Data Files button.
- In the Data Files tab, the location of files is shown next to the email address.
Note down this address. It will be required in the next methods.
Follow our easy step-by-step guide to turn off Outlook’s junk email filter.
2. Change the Owner of the Data File
If you are not assigned as the owner of a particular file, your applications will not be able to perform tasks. They need read and write access to work correctly.
Outlook also needs to use the data files to sync emails from Microsoft servers. Make sure that the data files have set your username as the owner.
Here is how to get the user ownership of the data file:
- Navigate to the location of the user file.
- Right-click on the file and select Properties.
- Click the Advanced button in the Security tab.
- Click Change if the owner is not set to the current user.
- Enter the name of the user and Click Check Names.
- If the owner is correct, press Ok.
You will get ownership of the data file. Run Send/Recieve button on Outlook to see if your issue is resolved.
Find out how to fix Outlook signature not showing images.
3. Make a New Profile in Outlook
Your Outlook profile can get corrupted. The existing files and configuration no longer work.
In this instance, set up a new profile with your email details. You will see Outlook working again.
To create a new profile, insert your username and password with additional information in the dialog box.
Here are the simple steps to create a new profile in Outlook:
- Press the Windows Key and search Control Panel.
- Click to open Control Panel.
- Open Mail under User Accounts on the Left side of the screen.
- Click Show Profiles in the Mail Setup Screen.
- Click the Add button in the Mail Dialog Box.
- Enter the Account details.
- Click Next and press Finish.
A new profile will be created using your email credentials.
Go and check our other article on Outlook not working on WiFi.
4. Make a New Data File in Outlook
The data files contain the emails, calendar, and stuff related to your account. Outlook syncs periodically to keep everything up to date.
You can create the data on any drive of your Computer. The new data file will store information from your profile.
Here is a quick way to create a new data file in Outlook:
- Press the Windows Key and search Control Panel.
- Click to open Control Panel.
- Open Mail under User Accounts on the Left side of the screen.
- Click the Mail Account that you want to use.
- Click the Change Folder button.
- Click Create New File.
- Select the location of the folder that you want to use.
- Press Ok.
Outlook will now use the newly created data file.
5. Link the Data File to Your New Profile
It is time to link the data file to your profile. Outlook will save information from your profile to the new data file.
If the earlier profile got corrupted, this method would resolve it.
The following method will make your Outlook profile use the New data files:
- Go to the Start Menu.
- Search for Outlook and Click to open.
- Click File and Go to Account Settings.
- Click the Email Address and Press the Change Folder button.
Expand the Email Address and select the newly created folder.- Click the Send/Receive tab on the Outlook menu.
The email is synced to the data file folder if you see the progress bar.
Additional Steps
The earlier section should fix the problem with Outlook. You can follow the additional steps if Windows or some external software causes the error.
Let’s look at them now.
Re-install Microsoft Office
When you update Office, it can break the installed files. The existing Outlook files and configuration can stop working.
A simple reinstall can fix these problems with the core Office files.
These are the quick steps to reinstall Microsoft Office:
- Right-Click on the Start Menu and select Apps and Features.
- Click Modify after selecting Microsoft Outlook.
Outlook will be repaired and back to the stock settings.
Disable your Antivirus and Firewall Program
Outlook must connect to the Microsoft Servers to obtain the latest emails and calendars. Antivirus programs can think of this as malicious and block its access.
If this scenario happens, you must Disable the Antivirus.
Here is an easy way to disable your Antivirus program:
- Right-click on the Antivirus icon.
- Click Disable.
Windows Firewall acts to allow or disable an application communicating with the internet. You see which applications are permitted to send information to their servers. If Outlook is not whitelisted, a Firewall can block its connection to the internet.
To prevent this, you must allow Outlook to communicate through the Firewall.
Here is how you can allow Outlook through Firewall:
- Press the Windows Key and search Control Panel.
- Click to open Control Panel.
- Search Firewall.
- Click Allow an app through the Firewall.
- Find Microsoft Outlook in the list of applications.
- Tick the Boxes next to the Private and Public column.
Outlook should now be able to connect to the internet.
Run Outlook Repair Tool
Your profile information is stored in the data files. These are typically in .pst and .ost formats. If these get damaged, Outlook cannot load newer emails.
Thankfully Office comes with a built-in Inbox repair tool. It checks the file for possible corruption and performs a repair.
You will need to provide the location of the .pst and .ost files to perform this check. Insert the file’s path in the tool, and the repair will start.
You can find the data file’s location easily by following the steps mentioned earlier in this article.
Here is the easiest way to run the Outlook repair tool:
- Navigate to This Computer > C: > Program Files > Microsoft Office > root > Office 16 >exe.
- Copy the location of the OST and PST files and insert them in the field of the box.
- Press the Start button.
The tool will run and repair the files in the location.
Conclusion
Outlook is one of the must-have tools for your corporate work. As you use it frequently, it will become heavy and take up more space in your Computer. It can result in your profile getting corrupted.
In this post, I have discussed why this error can take place. I have also created a list of the possible methods you can apply to fix the error. You can follow the additional methods if the other methods have not worked for you.
For further questions, do not forget to comment below.
Hope this post helps you out.
Till then, it’s Goodbye.
