0x80040600OfficeCritical
Error 0x80040600 — Outlook Data File Corrupt | Microsoft Office Fix
Microsoft 365Office 2021Office 2019Office 2016
What Does 0x80040600 Mean?
The Outlook data file (PST or OST) is corrupted and cannot be read properly.
Real-World Causes
- 1Data file exceeded maximum size limit
- 2System crash or power failure while Outlook was writing to the file
- 3Disk errors or bad sectors corrupting the file
- 4Antivirus scanning/quarantining parts of the data file
Symptoms
- ⚠Outlook crashes on startup
- ⚠Missing emails, contacts, or calendar items
- ⚠Error messages about data file integrity
- ⚠Outlook freezes when accessing certain folders
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DIY Fix
Beginner-friendly steps you can try at home
- 1Close Outlook completely before attempting repairs
- 2Run the Inbox Repair Tool: find scanpst.exe in the Office installation folder
- 3Run scanpst.exe, select the data file, and click Repair
- 4Repeat the repair process multiple times if needed
Advanced Fix
For experienced users and IT professionals
- 1Use the Outlook /resetnavpane switch to reset the navigation pane
- 2Import recovered items from the repair into a new PST file
- 3Use third-party PST repair tools for severe corruption
- 4If OST file: delete it and let Outlook rebuild from the server
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is scanpst.exe located?
Typical locations: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\. Search for 'scanpst.exe' in File Explorer if unsure.
Will I lose data if I repair the PST?
The Inbox Repair Tool creates a backup before repairing. Some severely corrupted items may not be recoverable. For Exchange/Microsoft 365 accounts, your emails are safe on the server — just delete the OST and resync.
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About the Author
Windows Troubleshooting Team
Verified against official Microsoft documentation and real-world diagnostic data. Error behavior confirmed across Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server.