Microsoft Outlook Inbox Repair Tool is not Responding | 4 Solutions

A simple “Microsoft Outlook inbox repair Not Responding” error dialog box can ruin your entire workday. Microsoft Office's Outlook has an inbuilt inbox repair tool called Scanpst.exe. This inbox repair tool scans the PST file and fixes the corruption or damage done to the file, making it ready to be accessed.

What if you encounter an “Outlook Repair tool Not Responding” error at a time like this. This means that the Outlook repair tool itself stopped working.

Fortunately, there are multiple solutions mentioned in the section below which can effortlessly fix the Outlook Repair Tool not Responding.

How To Fix Outlook Inbox Repair Tool not Working issue

• Method 1: Locate and Run scanPST
• Method 2: Verify PST File Size
• Method 3: Close MS Outlook and Other Programs
• Method 4: Repair or Reinstall MS Outlook
• Fix Outlook Repair Tool not responding with Remo PST Repair tool

What are the causes of Outlook inbox repair tool not responding error?

1. Improper Outlook shutdown
2. CRC errors in hard drive
3. Bad sectors in hard drive
4. Add-ins interfering with functionality.
5. When Outlook data file size exceeds its maximum size limit
6. Malware or virus infected files.
7. Outdated MS Outlook.
8. scanPST getting stuck in the phase 7 to 8

Note: To avoid such scenarios, always maintain a backup PST file. you can back up your Outlook personal data with the Remo Outlook Backup and Migrate tool.

Method 1: Locate and Run SCANPST.EXE

The below listed are the mentioned pathways of scanPST.exe, here is how you locate the pathway and following the below listed procedure to fix your Outlook repair tool not responding

Outlook Version	ScanPST Location
Outlook 2019	32-bit Version:C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office19 64-bit Version: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office19
Outlook 2016	32-bit Windows: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16\ 64-bit Windows: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16\

After locating the SCANPST.EXE, double-click on it to launch the tool. Locating scanPST pathway manually and fixing the corruption in some cases will fix the Outlook repair tool being stuck situation

Note - If you are wondering how to change the Location of Outlook Data file, click here.

Method 2: Ensure that The PST File Does not Exceed 2GB

ScanPST does not recognize files that exceed 2GB in storage. To find out if that is the case with your PST file, follow the steps below-

1. Browse the PST file location and check the PST file size.
2. Single-click and then right-click on the PST file and choose ‘Properties’.
3. Check the file size.

If the PST file is larger than 2 GB, the Inbox Repair Tool can’t help. If you try, it will stop responding and crash. To fix a large PST file, as mentioned earlier, you will need a reliable tool to fix it.

Method 3: Close MS Outlook and Other Programs

To avoid the Inbox Repair Tool freeze problem, close all running programs, especially one that accesses your PST file such as MS Outlook. Then run the Inbox Repair Tool to repair the Outlook data file.

If you still face the same problem, sign out and then sign in. This will close all running programs and then you can use the tool without any issue.

Method 4: Reinstall MS Outlook

Another possible way to solve this issue is to try re-installing the Outlook application. Follow the below mentioned methods for Outlook versions 2021/2019/2016/2013/2010

• Open Windows Settings.
• Click on Apps and then click on Installed apps.
• Locate Microsoft Office and click on the options icon.
• Select Modify.

• Select Quick Repair and click on Repair.

If all the above-methods have not worked well for you, and you have damaged or corrupt PST file, then you will need an alternative to repair your Outlook Data file.

Remo Repair Outlook (PST): A Reliable Alternative tool for Scanpst.exe

You can try it for yourself by following the steps below-

Step 1: Download and Install free demo version of Remo Repair Outlook [PST] tool.

Step 2: After launching the software, the main screen has three options listed. Select appropriate option according to their description below and click on Next:

a) Open Default PST File: This option finds the default location of your PST file.

b) Select PST File Manually: This option will let you manually choose the path of your PST file if you happen to know the location

c) Find All Your PST Files: All the PST files existing on the disk can be availed when you select this option. Once you click on next Select the file you desire to repair.

Step 3: The next screen comprises of two sections:

Step 4: Choice of appropriate scanning method

1. Normal Scan: Select this option if the corruption of your PST is low.
2. Smart Scan: Select this option if there is high level corruption on your file or if you deleted any folder / messages or altered the indexing.

Note: Smart Scan is always recommended to repair your outlook PST file

Step 5: Browse destination path to save repaired PST file: Here you can browse for location on your computer to save the fixed PST file post repair.

Step 6: Now click on Next and hit the Repair button.

Step 7: The next screen is the preview of all the recovered Outlook items and this concludes the repair process of a PST file using Remo repair Outlook [PST]

Now open Outlook and import the repaired Personal folders PST file from the selected location

Conclusion:

With the above-mentioned method, you should have successfully repaired your Outlook PST files. However, if you are facing any difficulties during the PST repair process, utilize the technical assistance provided by Remo Software technical team.