Outlook Error 0x80070057 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Outlook Error 0x80070057 means 'The parameter is incorrect.' This usually means your Outlook data file (PST or OST) has become corrupted, or there is a problem with your mail profile settings. In most cases, running the Outlook Inbox Repair Tool (ScanPST) fixes this error.

Affected Models

Microsoft Outlook 2016
Microsoft Outlook 2019
Microsoft Outlook for Microsoft 365

Common Causes

The Outlook data file (PST or OST) has become corrupted due to improper shutdown or disk errors
The Outlook email profile is damaged or contains incorrect settings
A recent Windows or Office update introduced a compatibility issue
The PST file has grown too large and exceeded its size limit
A third-party Outlook add-in is interfering with Outlook's normal operation

How to Fix It

Run the Outlook Inbox Repair Tool (ScanPST). Find it at C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\SCANPST.EXE. Open it, browse to your PST file, and click Start.

The exact path may differ slightly depending on your Office version. You can also search for SCANPST.EXE in File Explorer.
If ScanPST finds errors, click Repair. Make sure the 'Make a backup of scanned file before repairing' option is checked.

Always keep a backup before running any repair tool — this protects your emails if the repair process fails.
Create a new Outlook profile. Go to Control Panel > Mail > Show Profiles > Add. Set up your email account fresh in the new profile.

A fresh profile eliminates any corrupted settings from the old one. You can switch between profiles from the same Mail settings window.
Disable Outlook add-ins. Open Outlook, go to File > Options > Add-ins. At the bottom, next to 'Manage COM Add-ins', click Go. Uncheck all add-ins and restart Outlook.

If this fixes the error, re-enable add-ins one at a time to find which one is causing the problem.
If the PST file is very large (over 20 GB), try archiving old emails to reduce the file size. Go to File > Cleanup Tools > Archive to move older emails to a separate file.

Large PST files are more prone to corruption and can cause repeated errors.

When to Call a Professional

If ScanPST cannot repair the data file and you have important emails inside it, contact a data recovery specialist. They have professional tools that can recover emails from severely damaged PST files. Do not continue to try to open a damaged PST repeatedly — this can make data recovery harder.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a PST file and where is it stored?

A PST file is Outlook's local storage file — it holds your emails, calendar events, contacts, and tasks. By default it is stored at C:\Users\[YourName]\Documents\Outlook Files\. You can also find it by going to File > Account Settings > Data Files in Outlook.

Will ScanPST delete any of my emails?

ScanPST may move some items to a 'Recovered Items' folder if it cannot attach them to the main inbox. It rarely deletes items entirely. Always check the Recovered Items folder after running a repair — your missing emails may be there.

Can I prevent this error in the future?

Yes. Always close Outlook properly before shutting down your computer — do not force-quit it or turn off the PC while Outlook is open. Also keep your PST file under 10 GB by regularly archiving old emails. Smaller, well-maintained data files are far less likely to get corrupted.