How to Fix OneNote Not Working in Windows 10: Solutions to Common Problems

OneNote is a Microsoft Office 365 app that has been around since the 2007 launch of Windows Vista. OneNote allows users to type text, create hand-drawn pictures, and insert free-form objects into notebooks. It is one of the best note-taking apps around. OneNote can work and store notes locally, but with the added advantage of OneDrive and Microsoft 365 integration that connects when you sign into OneNote with your Microsoft account. OneNote also features a search function that will allow you to find text or images anywhere in your notes in seconds. The major shortcoming of this software is its tendency to crash or freeze up on occasion. If these problems are plaguing your new installation of OneNote on Windows 10 we have some solutions for you down below. These will help you to fix OneNote not working issues permanently.

Many OneNote users have also reported that they’re unable to get their notes to sync which renders it useless when trying to use it from different systems. If you’ve been having trouble getting your notes to sync, or if the app just isn’t working correctly, you can try the fixes below.

Also see – How to fix clipboard history not working on Windows 10?

How to fix OneNote Not Working on Windows?

Fixing OneNote problems can be difficult at times because there are many different ways they manifest themselves. Common scenarios include messages like “OneNote Not Working” when trying to open the application or it freezes. OneNote isn’t a complex app but it runs into its fair share of problems. But the solutions here are very simple and easy to implement.

Reset OneNote App

This guide outlines how to fix problems in the UWP version of OneNote. If it isn’t syncing notes, launching the app, or crashing when you open the app you should reset it in order to improve performance. You don’t have to worry about the saved notes, they won’t be deleted.

1. Go to the “Settings” option using the keyboard shortcut Win+I for Windows.
2. Select “Apps“.
3. Then click on “Apps & Features”.
4. Select “OneNote” by scrolling down.
5. Now go to the “Advanced” option and click “Reset”. You’ll find the “Reset” option at the bottom.

Sync OneNote by Force

If you cannot sync OneNote from your Windows 10 phone or laptop, adding a new blank page to OneNote can force the app to sync. This solution may not work if there’s no text in the note, but it may be worth checking out before manually installing updates.

To add a new page to OneNote follow the below steps:

1. Open OneNote and a new section. The “Add Section” option will be in the “Sections” column.
2. Now click on “Add Page” in the Pages column. Then type the title of your new page in the “Title” column.
3. Now restart OneNote.

This should trigger the OneNote sync.

Also see – How to transfer Windows 10 license to a new computer owner?

Download Windows Updates and Microsoft 365

The OneNote desktop app is a part of Microsoft 365, while the OneNote for Windows 10 is designed to work specifically with the OS. If there are any pending updates needed from either Microsoft 365 or Windows 10 that might create problems syncing Notebooks in OneNote for Windows 10 it’s best to update both before continuing.

To update Windows follow the steps below:

1. Open Windows Update from the Control Panel.
2. Click Check for Updates and follow prompts to update your system.

Try Signing out and Logging in Again

If you’ve been experiencing OneNote not working on Windows, try logging out and then signing back in. This should fix the issue if it is a temporary glitch or bug with your Microsoft account.

The OneNote for Windows 10 app requires a Microsoft account in order to sync your notes. If you have just changed the password for your account or updated other information, it might be blocking the app from syncing. Sign out and sign in again.

1. To open OneNote, go to the Start menu and type “OneNote” into the search bar.
2. You’ll see you name at the top right corner, click on it.
3. Now select the “Sign out” option.

Also see – Cool Windows 10 tips and tricks.

Delete OneNote from your PC and Reinstall It

When OneNote doesn’t sync, uninstall and reinstall the app. The process will vary depending on the version of the OneNote app you are using.

If you are using the Windows 10 UWP version of OneNote, follow the below steps to uninstall and reinstall it.

1. Use the Win+I shortcut and open the “Settings“.
2. Go to “Apps“, then select the “Apps and Features” option.
3. Select OneNote from the apps in the list.
4. Click Uninstall and complete the uninstallation.
5. Now go back to Microsoft Store and reinstall the app from there.

Delete Setting.dat File on Windows 10

This is a fix for OneNote for Windows 10. Try deleting the Settings.dat file from your OneNote profile folder.

1. To access local data on your PC, open File Explorer and type the following command in the address bar: %localappdata% and hit enter.
2. Now go here: \Packages\Microsoft.Office.OneNote_8wekyb3d8bbwe\Settings.
3. You will see the Settings.dat file. Delete it.
4. RestartMicrosoft OneNote.

Delete OneNote Cache

This is a fix for OneNote. Fixing this one will clear the cache, which could be causing some of your OneNote problems.

1. Open OneNote.
2. Go to File>Options.
3. Select the Save and Backup tab.
4. Copy the path under the Cache file location.
5. Then close OneNote.
6. Open File Explorer and navigate to the cache file path you copied.
7. Delete the files there.
8. Open OneNote.

So, these were some of the fixes to resolve common OneNote problems. Fixing OneNote might get rid of other problems as well and make it work the way you want!

In this post, we’ve talked about some common solutions that can help Fix OneNote not working. We discussed how to fix OneNote in Windows automatically by installing updates or by resetting the OneNote cache. Just keep your Windows 10 and OneNote updated and you’ll be staying away from most of the common problems always.