Resolve Outlook 2016 Error Code 0x80070003: Updated Guide!

Outlook is one of the most feature-rich and efficient email clients used by numerous organizations. It is a personal information manager which makes it easy for the users to manage their data and communication process in a single place. As it is said, everything is associated with some advantages and disadvantages. In the case of Outlook, users also face issues while working with Outlook. Nowadays, one of the most common errors faced by users in Outlook 2016 is 0x80070003. In this blog, we are going to explain different ways to eliminate Outlook error code 0x80070003.

There are many cases when Microsoft Outlook stops functioning due to the intervention of some internal errors in the Outlook data file (PST). In such cases, one needs to resolve the errors and issues with more care and intense attention to their Outlook data items.

About Error Code 0x80070003 in Outlook

The error message “An unknown error occurred, error code 0x80070003” usually appears when Outlook cannot find or synchronize the data stored in PST or OST files. This can happen if the Documents folder path is changed, the Outlook data file is not healthy aka damaged or corrupted, or there’s a permission conflict in Windows.

In short, The error code 0x80070003 occurs when MS Outlook cannot reach the location of its data file thus, disrupting the connection between the mail server and local storage.

Also Read: Here’s What To Do When ScanPST is Not Responding!

Why the Error Code 0x80070003 Occurs in MS Outlook? – Top Reasons

Several factors can trigger this error in Outlook. Here, we have mentioned the most common ones.

• Changed or invalid file path
• Corrupt or unhealthy Outlook data files
• Incomplete Windows OS updates
• Registry misconfiguration
• Network-based folder setup on a shared network

Now that we are aware what reasons trigger the Outlook error code 0x80070003, it’s time to know how to eliminate that error.

A Real-World User Scenario with Outlook Error Code 0x80070003

We got user scenarios in our technical support and we are discussing them here. In this user case study, we are going to discuss a user situation where Outlook 2016 error code 0x80070003 was encountered and how a random user tried to resolve it!!

“Due to some genuine reasons, I decided to add my other mail account to Outlook 365. I tried to set up a POP3 account in addition to the Exchange account and unfortunately an error displayed on my screen.

I was stuck badly in this situation. So, to deal with it I started searching on the Internet and got to know that this error often encounters when the default location for My Documents is altered. I changed to the location earlier but after the installation of Office. As I wanted to conserve the space on the boot drive where the folder is located by default.

After that, I checked the location of the current OST file and it was present on the boot drive.

Next, I pointed to that file while trying to insert an email account. Then I got:

The old workstation was working in a perfect way, but the new one was not. I tried to figure out the difference. I looked at the Documents properties on the old and then on the new one, they appeared to be the same:

Then, I tried to delete the present email account by following steps given below.

1. Run REGEDIT
2. Move to –

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Outlook\

3. After that, delete all the files present in these folders

• \PST
• \Search\
• \Search\Catalog

4. Name this folder present in your profile with a new name

C:\User\”username”\Appdata\Local\Microsoft\Outlook

5. After that, insert all the previous email settings
6. Restart Outlook

Unfortunately, Outlook stopped me from doing it:

After that, when I tried to insert a new data file then Again I got An unknown error occurred, Outlook 2016 error code 0x80070003 message. Also, I tried to add a new account but nothing worked.

Next, I checked out the Registry. I read on the Internet that changing the location of the default PST and OST folders helped. I also added two keys:

But nothing helped. I also found PST and OST leaves but was not able to understand what to do with these files.

Finally, I deleted the LastCorruptStore entry in the PST leaf. It did not help me.

I tried to implement multiple tricks but nothing worked. Now, I want to know is there any other approach to resolve this issue. Please suggest me an instant and reliable solution to resolve Outlook 2016 Error Code 0x80070003.”

Sometimes, due to improper knowledge and lack of Internet Research, users implement complex methods to deal with Outlook issues and are stuck badly. In the section given below, we are going to explain a simple manual as well as an automated approach to eliminate Outlook 2016 error 0x80070003. Fix An unknown error occurred, error code 0x80070003 in Outlook 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007 account in Windows system.

Manually Resolve 0x80070003 Error In MS Outlook

1. First of all, close Outlook and open the registry editor

• For Windows 7: Open Start > Type regedit.exe and press Enter
• For Windows 8: Open Run > Type regedit.exe and click on OK

2. In the Registry Edition, you need to find the subkey and click on it

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\

• User Shell Folders

3. Next, you have to locate ‘Personal’ in the value
4. Now, verify whether Data Field contains a valid location or not
5. In case, if you are not sure, copy and paste the path into Windows Explorer
6. Check whether it locates your files or not
7. If you are able to find your files, then double-click on the ‘Personal’ value
8. Next, in the Value data box, you need to copy and paste the path of your MY Document Folder and click OK
9. After that, you will be able to see %USERPROFILE%\Documents in the Value data box
10. Finally, close the ‘Registry Editor

Still, Not Able To Resolve Outlook Error Code 0x80070003? We share a reliable and secure way in the upcoming segment of this blog post.

A Secure & Instant Way to Fix Outlook 0x80070003 Error

With SysTools Outlook Recovery Software, the user can easily eliminate Outlook 0x80070003 issue. The software permits the user to repair corrupt Outlook PST files by fixing all the errors associated with the file. The tool is integrated with dual scanning modes which are Quick Scan and Advanced Scan. With Quick Scan Mode, the user can remove minor corruption issues associated with the PST files. Whereas Advanced Scan permits the user to fix major corruption issues in the PST file. The user can also export the error-free and healthy PST file into the desired format.

Final Words

The occurrence of any type of error in Outlook creates issues and interrupts the workflow also. An unknown error occurred in the MS Outlook account – Outlook error code 0x80070003. In this blog, we have introduced a manual and automated approach to deal with this error. However, to fix Outlook 2021, 2016, 2013, and 2010 errors 0x80070003 without any challenges such as data loss, it is recommended to opt for a reliable SysTools Software. With this efficient tool, the user can easily troubleshoot Outlook error 0x80070003 in just a few clicks and export the healthy PST into the selected file format.