Compliance Problems

Fix eDiscovery Export Tool Failing for Mailboxes Over 1 GB

Chanuka GeekiyanageChanuka Geekiyanage Oct 26, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where the Microsoft eDiscovery Export Tool fails to export large mailboxes.

How to Fix eDiscovery Export Tool Failing for Mailboxes Over 1 GB
Product
Microsoft eDiscovery Export Tool
Device & OS
not provided
Scenario
Exporting large mailbox data to PST files for compliance or backup purposes.
Observed behavior
The tool successfully exports small mailboxes but throws a 'Value cannot be null. Parameter name: value.' error for mailboxes over 1 GB.
Before you start

Ensure you have global administrator or eDiscovery manager permissions in Microsoft 365 and have the latest version of the eDiscovery Export Tool installed.

Solution 1Recommended

Submit a Support Ticket via Microsoft 365 Admin Center

Since this error involves a backend parsing failure or service limitation, contacting official Microsoft 365 support is the most effective way to resolve it.

The error 'Value cannot be null' during large exports typically indicates a failure while the tool attempts to parse the export job status. This often requires backend diagnostics from Microsoft engineers to identify the root cause.

1
Gather export details

Collect the exact eDiscovery Export Tool version, the mailbox size, the specific error message, and complete trace information from the export logs.

2
Open Admin Center

Log in to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center using your administrator credentials.

3
Submit a service request

Navigate to the Support section, click 'New service request', provide the gathered details, and attach the trace data (ensure any sensitive information is removed).

Submit a Support Ticket via Microsoft 365 Admin Center
Community Forums: You can also post this issue in the Microsoft Q&A forum for administrators, as standard end-user forums cannot resolve backend service limitations.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What causes the 'Value cannot be null' error in the eDiscovery Export Tool?

This error often occurs when the tool fails to parse the export job status correctly from the server. It can be triggered by mailbox sizes exceeding certain limits, such as 1 GB, or by temporary backend service interruptions.

Can I export mailboxes larger than 1 GB using Microsoft eDiscovery?

Yes, the eDiscovery Export Tool is built to handle large files. If it consistently fails at the 1 GB mark, it is likely due to a specific version bug or a backend service issue that requires Microsoft support intervention.

Where can I find the trace information for the eDiscovery Export Tool?

Trace information and error logs are typically generated by the tool and saved in the destination folder on your local drive where you attempted to export the PST files.

Should I post eDiscovery tool errors on end-user forums?

No, issues involving the eDiscovery Export Tool are best handled by Microsoft 365 administrator support or the Microsoft Q&A forum specifically for administrators, as they often require specialized backend diagnostics.