If a PST file in Outlook isn’t showing emails, it may be due to file corruption, a file size exceeding limits, or Outlook profile issues.
To resolve this, use the Inbox Repair Tool (ScanPST.exe) to fix the PST file, check its integrity, or create a new Outlook profile or try the tweaks listed below:
One of the issues that has troubled some Outlook users is that the PST file is not showing emails. Delayed emails can lead to missed messages, causing you to miss deadlines and fall behind on work. Act quickly, as waiting will make the issue worse.
We have solutions to solve this error. This article will help you solve your emails not showing in Outlook error.
Methods to Fix PST File is not Showing Emails in Outlook
Given below are 4 methods that you could adopt to fix PST files not showing emails in Outlook Error-
Table of Content:
- Method 1: Change Your Outlook Settings to Fix Outlook PST File not Showing Emails
- Method 2: Reset All Views in All Folders to View the Hidden Emails
- Method 3: Use the Scanpst.exe to Find Hidden Outlook Emails
- Method 4: Fix PST File Not Showing Emails Using Remo Repair Outlook
- Frequently Asked Questions
Method 1: Change Your Outlook Settings to Fix Outlook PST File not Showing Emails
The issue could be misconfigured view settings in Outlook, hence change the settings:
- Open your Outlook application.
- Click View
- Now select Change View.
- In the context menu, click IMAP message.
Refresh your mail and check if you can view any emails. If not, check the filter settings and remove filters applied to the message box. To do so,
- Click View -> Customize Current View.
- Now click Filter -> Clear All.
Method 2: Reset All Views in All Folders to View the Hidden Emails
Many Outlook users create custom views and modify existing ones to organize their emails in their preferred way. These custom views can sometimes include settings that hide certain emails based on various filters, such as date, sender, subject, etc.
Resetting all views in all folders can fix the “PST File is not Showing Emails” error in Outlook by removing any custom views or settings hiding your emails.
- Start MS Outlook and look for the folder you wish to change the display.
- You can change the view by tapping on it. Then, from the drop-down menu that appears, choose a view mode.
- Press the reset view button on the view tab. Select Yes in the next dialogue box that appears. Following that, your selected folder will be restored to its original state.
- Now select View > Change View from the drop-down menu. From the Change View drop-down box, choose Apply Current View to Other Mail Folders.
- In the Apply View dialogue box, check the box for mailboxes and their subfolders.
- Also, select the Apply View to Subfolders option. Finally, press the OK button.
Does your PST file now contain emails? If your answer to this question is No, your PST might be corrupted.
Method 3: Use the Scanpst.exe to Find Hidden Outlook Emails
Microsoft has ScanPST.exe (Inbox Repair Tool) to repair corrupt PST files and OST files, here’s how:
Note: to remove errors in your PST file, you must run the ScanPST tool at least 6 to 7 times. Before you run your Inbox Repair Tool, ensure that Outlook is closed.
You can manually locate ScanPST using the table below-
| Outlook Version | ScanPST Location |
| Outlook 2021 | C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16 C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16 |
| Outlook 2019 | C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office19 C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office19 |
| Outlook 2016 | C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16\ C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16\ |
| Outlook 2013 | C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15\ C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15\ |
Open Inbox Repair Tool ScanPST.exe
Double-click on scanpst.exe to open the file.
- Now click Browse to select your corrupt PST file.
- Select Start to begin the scan.
- If the scan returns errors, click on Repair to fix all the errors.
- Once the repair is complete, restart Outlook and check if you can see all the emails in your PST file.
For information, please refer to the video below-
If your Outlook application still does not show emails after trying the above methods, Remo Repair Outlook provides a simple solution to repair all your damaged or corrupted PST files and safely restore data.
Method 4: Fix PST File Not Showing Emails Using Remo Repair Outlook
Remo Repair Outlook PST also overcomes the limitations of Scanpst.exe. The scanpst.exe tool cannot handle large PST files or password-protected PST files. Remo Repair Outlook can repair PST files of all sizes and retrieve emails and other data from PST files with ease.
Steps to Fix PST File Not Showing Emails Using Remo Outlook PST Repair Tool
- When the main window appears, select the PST file that has to be repaired using the Browse option. There are 3 options to pick the Outlook data file-
1. Open Default PST File: To select the PST file from the default location
2. Select PST File Manually: PST file is not in its default location, then you can specify the path of your PST file to select it using this option
3. Find All your PST Files: To select the PST file, If you are unaware of the PST file location
- Select Scan Type
Next, choose either Normal Scan or Advanced Scan.
Normal Scan – For low corruption levels
Advanced Scan – For high corruption levels
- Use the Browse option to select a destination location to import the repaired PST file. After selecting the destination file, click Repair.
- When the repairing process is completed, view the recovered Outlook emails import the repaired PST file to your Outlook, and access emails.
Quick note: If you accidentally deleted emails and are looking to recover them, click here to learn how to recover deleted Outlook emails.
Conclusion
The above article summarizes how to fix PST files that do not show emails in all versions of Outlook 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. If you have any further queries regarding the article, please use the comment section below to ask your questions effortlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are several reasons why your Outlook does not export all emails to PST. Here are some of the solutions:
Corrupt Outlook PST file: If your Outlook PST file is corrupt, it might cause the export process to fail or not include all emails. You can try repairing the PST file using the built-in inbox Repair tool scanpst.exe
Size limitation: PST files have size limitations, and if your mailbox contains many emails or attachments, it may not be possible to export all of them to a single PST file. In this case, you can export the emails in batches or create multiple PST files.
Hidden or deleted items: Outlook may not export hidden or deleted items by default. You can change the export options to include these items by selecting the Include subfolders and Include items marked for deletion options when exporting.
Incomplete export settings: Incomplete export settings may occasionally prevent Outlook from exporting all emails. Make sure all of the necessary folders and subfolders are selected for export.
Outlook Version Compatibility: If you try to export emails from an older version of Outlook to a more recent version, there can be compatibility problems. Try exporting the emails using Outlook’s identical version.
Permission issues: Outlook may fail to export specific folders or emails if you don’t have the right access permissions. Verify you have access rights to all the folders and emails you want to export.
To automatically move emails to PST, Here are the steps to follow:’
Activate Microsoft Outlook.
Select Info from the File menu.
Manage Rules & Alerts can be selected.
Select New Rule by clicking.
Move messages with specific words in the Subject to a folder
Select specific words and type one or more words that are present in the emails you want to relocate.
Select the PST file where you wish to move the emails by clicking on the specified folder and browsing.
To close the folder dialogue box, click OK.
To proceed, click Next.
Verify any further restrictions and exclusions you want to impose on the rule.
You can move the emails to the folder you want by selecting “move it to the specified folder” and checking it.
Any additional actions you want to add to the rule should be checked.
To create the rule, click Finish.
1. Oversized PST file
2. Improper ‘View Settings’ on Outlook
3. Emails going into the Spam folder
4. Corruption of the PST file
5. Methods to Fix PST File is not Showing Emails in Outlook
6. Fix the PST File not showing Outlook emails using the methods below.
