Is your Outlook crashing when importing PST file? You are not the only one encountering this problem. This issue has been reported by many Outlook users. That’s why we have curated this guide. In this, we will look into the possible reasons why Outlook crashes during PST import and offer clear step-by-step fixes to fix this issue.  

Understanding Reasons for Outlook Crashes when Importing PST File

Here are some possible causes why Outlook is crashing while importing the PST file:

• Corruption in PST file
• Large or oversized PST file
• Outlook version compatibility issues
• Add-ins or extensions interfering with the import process
• System resource limitations
• Incorrect account setup
• Outlook profile is misconfigured or corrupted

Solutions to Fix Outlook Crashes when Importing PST File Issue

Here are the solutions you can use to fix the Outlook crashing issue and import your PST file successfully.   

1. Disable Add-ins before Importing

At times, some add-ins – if faulty or incompatible - conflict with Outlook’s functions, causing the application to freeze or crash during PST import. You can check this is by opening the Outlook in safe mode. If the application works fine, then most probably add-ins were causing the issue. Therefore, disable the add-ins. Here’s how:

• Go to the File tab.
• In the left-hand menu, click on Options.
• Select Add-ins.
• Go to Manage and select COM Add-ins at the bottom of the window.
• Click on Go.
• To disable the add-ins, uncheck all the boxes in the COM Add-ins window.
• Click on OK.

Now, import the PST file. When done, enable the add-ins by checking the boxes next to the add-ins in COM Add-ins window.  

2. Update Microsoft Outlook

Outdated Outlook application may develop bugs that might be causing the issue. You can update your Outlook if it lacks the latest updates. To do so,

• Go to File.
• Click on Office Account > Update Options.
• From the listed options, choose Update Now.

• If new updates are available, follow the instructions to finish the update procedure.

3. Create New Profile in Outlook

There might be a possibility that your profile in Outlook is corrupted or is not configured correctly, which in turn causing the application to crash during PST import. You can simply create a new profile if this is the case. Follow these stepwise instructions:

• Close your Outlook application and open the Control Panel.
• Click on User Accounts and select Mail (Microsoft Outlook).

• Now, click on Show Profiles.
• Click on the Add button to create a new profile.
• Enter the Profile Name (e.g., Business Account) and click OK.
• Follow the prompts to set up the profile.
• Click Finish, once the setup is complete.
• Now, you can set the new profile as the default. Select Always use this profile in the Show Profile window.
• Click on Apply > OK.

Open Outlook with the new profile and try to import your PST file. If you still encounter the similar issue, then follow the next methods.

4. Split the PST File

Outlook has a maximum size limit for data file (PST). For instance, Outlook 2010 and later versions supports PST file of maximum 50 GB in size. If the PST file you’re importing is excessively large, then it is definite that Outlook will crash. You can split your PST file, if this is the case. For this, you can take the help of a dedicated PST splitter tool. After the splitting the PST into smaller parts, you can easily import them into Outlook. 

5. Repair the PST File

In case your PST file is corrupted, importing it can cause Outlook to crash. To repair the PST file, there is a utility available in Microsoft Outlook - ScanPST.exe or Inbox Repair tool. To utilize this utility for repairing the corrupt file,

• Close Outlook completely.  
• Locate ScanPST.exe on your system.
• Double-click ScanPST.exe to launch it.

• Click on Browse to select the PST file you need to repair.
• Click on Start to scan the file for errors. 
• If errors are found, click Repair to fix them.
• When the repairing process is complete, open Outlook and check if the error is resolved.

Though ScanPST can fix damaged or corrupted PST files, it has certain limitations. For instance, the utility freezes or crashes when repairing large, severely corrupted files or even at times fails to repair the file.

But there are alternatives available. You can choose a reliable third-party PST repair tool. When it comes to such a tool, Stellar Repair for Outlook should be a good choice. It is highly reliable and recommended by admins. With this tool, you can repair even severely corrupted PST file of any size in a very straightforward way. You can restore all your mailbox items – emails, attachments, notes, calendars, contacts, etc. - to a new fresh PST file. This tool maintains the original folder structure and hierarchy during the repair process.

Conclusion

Outlook may crash when importing a PST file due to varied reasons as explained in this guide. You can follow the stepwise solutions to fix the issue. In case the issue is caused due to corruption in PST file, then the apt solution is to use a professional PST repair tool, like Stellar Repair for Outlook. This DIY tool can help you to repair the corrupted file and recover all its items, with complete data integrity and precision.