The outlook error “0x8004010F: Outlook data file cannot be accessed” is a common error that triggers while sending or receiving email in  Outlook 2010 or Outlook 2013.

As a part of our Server Management Services, we help our Customers to systematically analyze similar Outlook related errors and resolve it.

Let us today discuss the possible causes and fixes for this error.

What is outlook error “0x8004010F: Outlook data file cannot be accessed” ?

While sending or receiving emails in Outlook, users often receive an error message as shown below:

The offline folder files (OST files), stores a synchronized copy of all mailbox files in exchange server and helps users to work offline.

They are often prone to damages due to a number of reasons that include corruption due to oversize, virus attack, damage due to accidental or force shutdown, etc.

The primary reasons behind Outlook error 0x8004010F include:

• OST file is corrupt
• Incorrect configuration or corrupt Outlook profile
• No internet or unreliable network connection
• Sending/receiving emails via Shared Mailbox
• Change in the location of OST file on the machine
• Copying of old OST file used by previous Outlook version after upgrading
• Damaged Outlook program files
• Insufficient read/write permissions
• The primary account is not set with the primary account OST file
• Firewall settings

How to fix outlook error “0x8004010F: Outlook data file cannot be accessed” ?

As there are a variety of reasons that trigger the Outlook error 0x8004010F, we will require a systematic analysis approach to fix this error. Our Expert Support Engineers here, guides the users to fix the Outlook configuration errors at their end.

Let us now discuss the different solutions for this error.

Restart Outlook and Check Internet Connection

Often a simple restart helps to resolve issues with programs and systems. Thus, we encourage users to restart Outlook or system and then check back again.

Also, check the internet connection.

Check Account Settings

If a restart did not help to fix the error, we need to make sure that the account settings are correct. Also make sure that the Exchange server is also online.

To check this, we can use Outlook Web App (OWA). Try to login via OWA. This will help us to ensure if there is some temporary connection issue.

If the login works successfully on OWA, it is more likely that some other factor is causing this error.

Create a New Outlook Profile

To resolve error 0x8004010F, identify the current location of the default Outlook data file, and then create a new Outlook profile. To do this follow these steps:

Locate the default Outlook data file

1. Select Start, and then select Control Panel.
2. In Control Panel, select Mail.
3. In the Mail Setup – Outlook dialog box, select Show Profiles.
4. Select the current Outlook profile, and then select Properties.
5. In the Mail Setup – Outlook dialog box, select Data Files.
6. Select the Data Files tab in the Account Settings dialog box, and then note the name and location of the default data file for the profile (a check mark will denote the default data file).
7. Select Close.

Create a new Outlook profile

Method 1: Use auto account setup to create an IMAP or POP3 email account

If the email server supports both IMAP and POP3, auto account setup will create an IMAP account by default. We will need to follow the manual steps in order to create a POP3 account. However, if the email server supports ONLY a POP3, auto account setup will create a POP3 account.

1. Select Start, and then select Control Panel.
2. In the Mail Setup – Outlook dialog box, select Show Profiles.
3. On the General tab in the Mail dialog box, select Add.
4. In the New Profile dialog box, type a new profile name, and then select OK.
5. In the Add New Account dialog box, type the email account information, and then select Next.
6. After the account is successfully configured, select Finish.

Method 2: Manually create an IMAP or POP3 email account

1. Select Start, and then select Control Panel.
2. In the Mail Setup – Outlook dialog box, select Show Profiles.
3. On the General tab in the Mail dialog box, select Add.
4. In the New Profile dialog box, type a new profile name, and then select OK.
5. Next, in the Add New Account dialog box, select Manually configure server settings or additional server types, and then select Next.
6. Then, in the Choose Service dialog box, select Internet E-mail, and then select Next.
7. In the Internet E-mail Settings dialog box, type the account details.
8. Select Test Account Settings to test your account. Contact your Internet service provider if you are unsure of the correct account details.
9. Select Existing Outlook Data File, and then select Browse.
10. In the Open Outlook Data File dialog box, browse to and then select the Outlook data file you previously located. Select OK.
11. Select Next.
12. In the Test Account Settings dialog box, select Close.
13. Select Finish.

Configure the new Outlook profile as the default profile

If we want to set the new Outlook profile as the default profile, follow these steps:

1. On the General tab of the Mail dialog box, select Always use this profile.
2. Select the drop-down under Always use this profile, and then select the new profile.
3. Select OK to close the Mail dialog box.

If we have several non default .pst files and need to include them in the Outlook profile, follow these steps:

1. Start Outlook.
2. On the File tab, select Open.
3. Select Open Outlook Data File.
4. Browse to the folder location that contains other .pst file, select it, and then select OK.

The newly added .pst file will appear in the Navigation pane.

Fix Old Outlook Profile

Sometimes, changing the message delivery location to a temporary folder and then changing it back refreshes Outlook settings. This may fix the error.

Thus, instead of creating a new Outlook profile, we could go for the steps below to fix the OST file error:

• Go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings and then click Change Folder
• Click New Outlook Data File to create a temporary data file
• Enter a name for this new Outlook data file and then click OK
• Now expand the subfolders and select Inbox folder
• Next, click OK to close the dialog box
• Again, click on the Change Folder button
• Now select the Original Inbox folder data file by expanding the subfolder. Then click OK
• Now click on the Data Files tab and remove the temporary OST file that we created earlier
• Close the Account Settings dialog box and then click ‘Send/Receive’ to check if the error 0x8004010F is resolved

Edit Firewall/Antivirus Settings

Firewall and antivirus software may also lead to Outlook data file cannot be accessed error.

Hence, make sure to enable network access for Outlook.exe file in the antivirus or firewall network settings. The default ports are 25 for outgoing access and 110 for incoming.

Repair OST File

You may also attempt to repair the OST file by using the Inbox Repair tool, i.e. SCANPST.EXE. The tool is located in the installation directory of Outlook. To repair the OST file by using SCANPST.EXE, follow these steps,

1. Navigate to the following location to find and launch SCANPST.EXE
   C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\OfficeXX\
2. Now click Browse’ and select the OST file. The default OST file location is: C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook
3. Click ‘Start’. If the tool finds errors, click the ‘Repair’ button to fix the problem with the OST file.
4. Once repaired, restart Outlook and click on Send/Receive to check if Outlook is working and error is resolved

Repair Outlook

As a final solution, we may attempt to repair the Outlook installation files. We may also try to reinstall Outlook if the repair does not work. The steps to repair Outlook are as follows,

1. Open Control Panel and click on Programs > Programs and Features
2. Find and click on Microsoft Office
3. Then, click Change
4. Now, select Repair and Continue and follow the repair wizard
5. After the repair, open Outlook and check if the error is resolved

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Conclusion

In short, the “Outlook data file cannot be accessed”  error triggers due to a number of reasons like corrupt OST file, incorrect outlook configuration, insufficient read/write permissions, etc. Today, we saw how our Support Engineers fix this error.