If you are unable to send outgoing email (but incoming email works fine) and you receive an error message that says your 'Outlook data file cannot be accessed' after upgrading either Outlook or Windows it's a sign that your profile is corrupt.
0x8004010F: Outlook data file cannot be accessed
If the text of the message says the operation failed, it could also mean a corrupt profile.
0x8004010F: The operation failed. An object could not be found
If you are using an IMAP account and have contents in folders labels "(This computer only)" export those folders to a new pst before removing the account from your profile.
The recommended fix is to create a new profile, especially if you only have one or two email accounts, in part to prevent problems with the address book. If you have multiple email accounts or just don't want to create a new profile, use the Keep Profile Method instead.
Create a New Profile
To create a new profile, close Outlook and open the Control Panel then search for Mail.
- Open the Mail applet then click Show Profiles.
- Click Add to create a new profile. After the profile is created, you can delete the old one. Does it matter if you delete the old one first? No, not as long as you use a unique new name for the profile.
- Use Auto Account Setup to add the account to your profile.
- If you are using POP3, after the account is added you'll want to tick the box to Change Account Setup then click Next. This will allow you to use your old pst file.
- Select your old pst file then exit the dialogs. (IMAP creates a new data file.)
- Before closing the Mail dialog (screenshot in step 2), delete the old profile or select the new profile in Always use this profile.
- Restart Outlook.
Keep Profile Method
If you have a lot of email accounts and don't want to create a new profile, you can try using the following steps. If this doesn't fix the error and messages send, you'll need to create a new profile.
- Go to File, Account Settings, Account Settings
- Click Change Folder
- Click New Outlook Data File and create a data file to use temporarily.
- Enter a name for the data file, such as 'test' or 'delete-me' then click OK.
- If the Inbox in the new temporary data file is not selected, expand the subfolders and select Inbox then click OK to close the dialog and return to Account Settings.
- Click on Change Folder again
- Re-select your data file. Expand the subfolders and select Inbox then click OK to close the dialog.
- Switch to the Data Files tab and remove the temporary pst file from your profile.
- Close the Account Settings dialog.
If this doesn't fix the send error, you'll need to make a new profile. Delete the temporary pst file after closing Outlook.
john thoren says
Thank you! The keep profile method worked for me and saved me so much time!
Yuda says
Using the "Keep Profile" method worked like a charm!
Two minutes work, and no corruption or lost data.
Much better than most of the MS support pages.
Thanks so much!
Chris Clarke says
as per the comment below - excellent
J S says
Superb .It really worked .
I created a folder and all mails were coming in.
I have been using your website more than 15 years and it really works .
Keep it up :-)
Vincenzo says
Thanks, Diane (as usual).
Outlook 2019 on a 2 month old computer could not access data files. I created 2 test pst's, switched to them, then switched back. Did the trick!
I've learned whenever I search Google for an Outlook issue, I put Slipstick in the search to put your solution at the top.
Vincenzo
MarkSz says
Excellent fix, it still helped me in 2020 with Outlook O365 after moving my psts to a different location. On the other hand, it is crazy that MS hasn't fixed this yet. Thank you Diane!
ps.: as VinceS pointed it out it saves time just to use a random .pst file for selection before reselecting the inbox again instead of creating one. But of course it is helpful for those who doesn't have any .pst file at hand.
Nigel Cooke says
This really worked; just chaning the Inbox to another new pst and back again; much better that recreating a new profile.
Fantastic :-)
Lou T says
I'm unable to send email, yes I can receive email.
I do not get any error messages.
I tied the above solutions, non worked.
Built a new profile, changed folder and changed it back.
still not sending.
Outlook 2013
Thanks
Diane Poremsky says
So no send/receive error messages? What type of email account do you use?
Johns Petrik says
How to Fix ‘Outlook Data File cannot be Accessed’ Error what shulod i have do
Diane Poremsky says
Reboot to install any updates waiting for a reboot then either make a new profile if that doesn't fix it or rename the data file and let outlook make a new one (if an ost file) . (Don't delete the old profile or ost - wait a few days to see if you are missing calendar and contacts. )
If a pst file is the problem data file, run scanpst on it.
Svein Moen says
Hi, after upgrading Windows to 1903 I cannot send from my Outlook 2016 account, Resceiving is OK, so is the account test messages.
I have tried to make a new profile bu same result even whit new data file.. Error 0x8004010f when sending.
What to do?
Diane Poremsky says
Hmm. That usually means a corrupt data file.
If you are using a pop account try this: go to File, Account Settings, open the account settings dialog. Select the account then click Change Folder at the bottom. Select a different folder for the delivery location and save then repeat the steps and reselect the inbox.
If you don't have a change folder button, its an imap or exchange account.
Brian Mosher says
However, this 'Keep Post Method' worked like a breeze. how do i find this article?
Diane Poremsky says
What article are you looking for? (Or is it a typo).
Brian Mosher says
outlook 2016 - cannot send merge email from my contacts folder. Merge process starts but nothing is sent.
Cliff says
We were unable to send and receive email of a couple of accounts in Outlook 2016 after moving the .PST files. We changed location but no avail. However, this 'Keep Post Method' worked like a breeze. Thank you for sharing!
Malee says
Somehow I got lost and I don't know where I am or what to do.
Diane Poremsky says
What are you trying to do?
Marky Marc says
Hi there, I followed the advice on the "Keep Profile Method" and it worked exactly as described.
Ken Venn says
Hi there, I followed the advice on the "Keep Profile Method" and it worked exactly as described. My pst file was visible, but send and receive could not access the file. I sent you something on Paypal (from South Africa).
Diane Poremsky says
Thanks! I appreciate it.
Jeremy Frost says
We had moved a data file for a user the other day and she started getting the cannot access data file error. My first step was to run a scanpst, it took several hours and in the log file it repaired many errors (in the 1000s). We still had the same message. I followed the instructions for leaving the profile in place (did not have the end users email credentials), and now all is working.
Thanks for the GREAT article Diane! Once I found this I was able to fix the issue in less than 15 minutes.
Shari says
Fantastic! Now I'm going to see how to get my Rules working again. Thanks SO MUCH!
Tom Scott says
This worked great. 'Had the same rules issue, but it was still easier than creating a new profile. thanks again for being there.
Shari says
I'm checking now to get my Rules working again, now that my emails are sending and receiving. How did you correct the rules issue?
VinceS says
PS: Had to redo Favourites again after this. No problemo and would occur with any solution!
VinceS says
What a beautifully tidy solution this was, thank you Diane. All those Googled results to "make new profile" when this saves the hassle of recreating the 10 email accounts I have. One extra simplification is you can skip the delete-me.pst file creation, all you really have to do is select a different valid folder then reselect the correct Inbox. I used another .pst file I had open but a quick test any other folder in the same file seems to do the trick. I arrived here by relocating the Documents folder to another drive using Windows official Location tab methodology, in preparation for an SSD change. Seems they forgot this bit but at least for Outlook 2016 it was an easy fix. Email started to arrive immediately the settings box was closed after implementing this fix. Thank you again.