Microsoft 365 PST Import Stuck at 0? Fix It with Proven Ways

If your Microsoft 365 PST import stuck at 0 then don’t panic. In most cases, the issue happens with Microsoft processing your PST files in the background without showing the progress report. That’s why the status still shows 0% for hours.

In this guide, we will show you the best way to easily locate the actual error and help you understand the reasons behind this error. So, keep reading this guide and follow the proper process that is actually reliable for you and can easily fix this problem.

What does “Microsoft 365 PST Import Stuck at 0” Mean?

PST import stuck at 0% in Microsoft 365 simply means that the import process has started but it is not showing any progress. This usually happens due to multiple reasons such as large file size, slow internet speed etc. The import process typically initiates in the background where Microsoft 365 prepares the PST data for import. However, many times the process still runs and directly jumps from 0% to 100% or completion.

Reality Check: Is PST Import Really Stuck at 0%?

Not always. When it is showing Microsoft 365 PST import stuck at 0 then it means the process is running but not completed or not displaying the real-time progress. This doesn’t mean the import process has stopped and is not moving. However, if it still remains unchanged after a long time, then it could be an issue and indicate an actual error that needs to be fixed or troubleshooting steps.

How Microsoft 365 PST Import Works?

Understanding the behind process will help you in better troubleshooting. Read each phase to have a clear view.

Upload Phase – In this phase, PST file is uploaded to Azure using the AzCopy. The upload time depends on the internet speed.

Analysis Phase – Here, Microsoft 365 scans the loaded PST file and checks its structure, corruption and file mapping.
Most of the stuck at 0% issues occur here.

Import Phase- This is the last step where the data is imported into mailboxes. The average ingestion rate is 24 GB per day and per mailbox.

Why Microsoft 365 PST Import Stuck at 0? Top Reasons

There are several causes why this issue happens, let’s understand them:

• Your PST file is larger than 20GB and takes more time to upload and process.
• Slow internet speed can delay the import process.
• In case your PST file is damaged or corrupted the Microsoft 365 fails to analyze it properly.
• Errors in email mapping can prevent the job from moving forward and cause PST import stuck at 0.
• Sometimes the system is working in the background but does not display on screen while keeping the result at 0%.
• Microsoft 365 restricts data processing speed which can delay the process.
• You have missed to enable the Mailbox Import/Export role permission, this leads the import process to not proceed further.
• Other high resource consuming processes working in the background can cause delay to the PST import process.
• Problems in the AzCopy tool can result in an incomplete upload process executed in phase 1.

How to Fix Microsoft 365 PST Import in Progress Stuck Issue?

Now that you have understood the causes, let’s explore some practical solutions to fix them quickly.

1. Check if the Process is Actually Stuck

Wait for at least 6-12 hours before applying any fix as Microsoft 365 often processes PST files in the background. In case, the process was never stuck and was processing behind then the status will change to completion automatically.

Note: If it still shows 0% after 24 hours then proceed with fixes.

2. Split Large PST files

If you have a PST file larger than 20 GB then split them into small parts such as 5-10 GB each. This will help you to upload and process files quickly while reducing the chances of getting stuck.

3. Assign Mailbox Import Export Role (Important)

Missing permissions can prevent the import process from completion. So, follow the below steps to enable it.

1. Go to Microsoft 365 Admin Center
2. Open Permissions > Admin Roles
3. Assign Mailbox Import Export role to your account

Note: Without this, the import job remains at 0% even if you perform all fixes.

4. Re-upload PST file to Azure

Sometimes the upload process fails or remains incomplete so what you need to do is:

• Delete the existing uploaded PST file.
• Re-upload it using the Azure tool.
• After the upload process is complete, verify the file integrity once.

5. Avoid Running Multiple Processes

When you are performing the PST import process then avoid running multiple jobs in the background, this can trigger the Microsoft throttling. Best way is to run one import at a time and wait for its completion. This way you can improve speed and ensure data safety.

6. Check Internet Connection

Always check your internet speed before performing any process. A weak connection can interrupt the process and shows PST import stuck at 0.

Manual Method to Fix PST Import Issue

For this method, Outlook must be installed on your device. So, first setup your Outlook before starting.

1. Open Outlook Classic on your system.
2. Go to File > Info > Add Account.
3. Enter email address > choose Microsoft 365 as Advanced Setup and Connect your account.
4. Now, wait for Outlook to sync your Microsoft 365 account mailbox.
5. Once done, go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
6. Choose Import from another program or file > Outlook data file (.pst).
7. Browse a location > select Do not import duplicates and click Next.
8. Select Microsoft 365 account from the drop down menu and click Finish.

While this method is simple and useful, it has multiple drawbacks that we have discussed in the below section.

Limitations of the Manual Approach

• This method is not for users who have large PST files as Outlook can slow down during the import process.
• Importing and syncing Microsoft 365 data can consume time.
• To perform this method, a stable and high speed connection is required.
• Incorrect settings may lead to failure of the process.
• You cannot selectively import files as there are no filter options available.
• Outlook should be actively working during the entire process, any interruption can cause failure.
• It is not an ideal solution for non-technical users as it has complex steps.

Fix Microsoft 365 Import Stuck at 0% with Expert-Trusted Method

If you are continuously facing this issue and want a seamless way to overcome it, then we recommend you to use a professional solution like SysTools Import Tool. It can directly import PST files to Office 365 account without letting you be stuck in the processing steps. Using this one-stop software, all types of users including technical and non-technical can hassle-free import PST files in batch while maintaining the original folder structure. The tool eliminates the complex steps of manual approach and reduces chances of errors and delays. Download and try it now!

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Simple Steps to Import PST to Microsoft 365 without Getting Stuck

1. Download and launch the tool on your device.
   
2. Choose Outlook as source and Microsoft 365 as Destination.
   
3. Under the workload section, select the data you want to import. Click Next.
4. Hit the folder icon and browse the location where PST files are saved.
   
5. Now enter Microsoft 365 account details and fetch users to select the targeted mailbox.
   
6. Select concurrent settings as per your requirements.
   
7. At last, click Save and start the import process.

Major Highlights of the Above Certified Tool

• It allows to directly import files without any Azure upload or complex configuration setups.
• Users can migrate multiple PST folders to Microsoft 365 in a single go without losing data.
• The software works independently without requiring installation of Outlook or any other email client.
• Supports modern interface with safe login authentication.
• Works on all latest and old versions of Windows and macOS.
• The tool guarantees its users a fast and accurate import process with no file size restrictions.
• It offers a date filter feature to migrate specific data.

Conclusion

Microsoft 365 Import stuck at 0 then it can happen when PST files become large or corrupted. In this discussion we have shared all tested solutions to easily process it by manually or using professional software. However a manual approach may be free but not free from limitations. If you are an enterprise user then always recommend the professional solution for a fast and secure process. In addition, it is a reliable tool for large migration without affecting data integrity.