How to fix 'can't sync' issues on Microsoft OneNote

Fix issues when you can't sync OneNote - Microsoft Support

Issue – You are having trouble syncing OneNote.

The sync issue can be occurring on OneNote 2016, 2013, 2010, OneNote 2007, and others. Microsoft keeps releasing updates to fix problems, so it's best if you update your OneNote timely. Sometimes updating your Office apps resolve the sync issue. Otherwise, some other methods are also here to fix this issue.

If the updated OneNote is also experiencing the sync issue, then use the below options and methods to resolve this issue.

Fix The Issue On Windows PC

• NOTES WON'T SYNC

If your notebook isn't synced on OneDrive, then try it using the web through www.onenote.com. You can determine the issue if OneNote generates it. In this case,

1. Open OneNote and click on File.

2. Select Info tab.

3. The affected notebook name shows a URL, right-click on it and select Copy.

4. Hit inside the Address box in your browser.

5. Paste the URL and press Enter, and load the notebook.

The desktop version of OneNote may cause an issue, therefore exit OneNote and reopen to clear and reset connect. For it, click File > Info > Settings > Close > click Open in OneNote. Wait a while to sync the entire notebook. If it hasn't yet synced, go with the below steps;

1. Click File and select Info.

2. Hit on the "View Sync Status" tab.

3. Tick on the dialog box and check the error codes list.

• SECTIONS WON'T SYNC

Sometimes notebooks usually sync, but one section doesn't sync. Verify with below;

1. Open OneNote and click File.

2. Select Info > View Sync Status > click notebook icon in Shared Notebook Synchronization.

3. Click on Sync Now.

In case your single section isn't syncing with another notebook, follow below;

1. Create a section in the notebook.

2. From the old section, copy all pages on the new section using Move or Copy.

3. Press Shift+F9 for manual sync.

If you still can't sync, Notebook Recycle Bin's corrupted section may be the cause; hence follow this.

Go to History > click Notebook Recycle Bin > right click to select the section > Move or copy > Ctrl + V > Remove original section.

• MERGE CONFLICTS

If another user is working on the same page, a conflict pop-up appears, and OneNote then generates different copies to save the data. Here you can see a yellow info bar with an icon. Hence you've to troubleshoot the conflict issue –

1. The conflict changes should be highlighted in Red, and click the Yellow Info Bar to view the page.

2. Copy the data and paste it into the main page.

3. Remove the conflicts page by selecting the Delete tab once work is finished.

• SERVER IS BUSY

When you save the notebooks in SharePoint Online, SharePoint, or OneDrive for Business, the error message "Server is busy" may appear. To fix this, Sign out and sign in to OneNote, reopen the notebook, and tick on the checkbox to ensure access via onenote.com, SharePoint Online, and SharePoint.

• NOT ENOUGH SPACE

A few errors in Office, such as '0xE00015E0', show not enough space error. It can be due to big backup files, hence optimize or remove existing notebook backups.

Optimize OneNote notebook – File > Options > Save & Backup > Optimize All Files Now > Wait a while.

Delete existing backups – File Explorer > type %localappdata% > Press Enter key > open Microsoft > open OneNote > 16.0/ 15.0 Folder > Backup Folder > Remove Files/folders.

• COLLABORATION SPACE SYNC PROBLEMS

If a student groups try to edit the similar page, Sync issues may occur in the collaboration space. You can follow a few points to prevent these problems;

· Make sure you Separate students into little groups.

· Make a "Section Tab" separately for students' groups such as 6 students' 4 groups, make 4 tabs.

· Prevent large file attachments.

Troubleshoot The Issue On Mac

Make sure your Mac is updated automatically. If the issues couldn't solve, then go through any of the methods below.

• NOTES WON'T SYNC

Try opening OneNote for the web through www.onenote.com. The issue may be due to OneNote or the server.

Open OneNote for Mac on the toolbar > tap Notebooks > Copy Link to Notebook > click inside the Address box > press the Ctrl V > Press Enter.

Reopen the notebook and follow below on your Mac –

Open Menu Bar > Notebooks > Notebooks > Close This Notebook > open notebook in OneNote >

click Open in OneNote.

In case of a notebook stored on SharePoint, report to your administrator and troubleshoot the issue. Now, if you don't see anything else, your data isn't synced, hence follow below ;

1. Check a notebooks list by clicking on the < (Show Notebooks) button.

2. Locate the pointer to the warning triangle icon nearby the notebook name and see if the error appears, and get to know how you contact the team for help.

• SECTIONS WON'T SYNC

Follow steps if you see an error like can't sync (section or notebook name);

If you receive an error when OneNote is trying to sync, such as "Can't sync <section name> or <notebook name>" or if there is an error icon next to your notebook name, try the following steps to resolve the issue:

1. Hit on the Show Notebooks tab and select your notebook.

2. Create a section and copy each page from the old section.

3. When everything is copied to a new section, click File > Sync All Notebooks.

Recheck if notes safely sync; otherwise, you've to delete notes with the below steps;

Click View > Deleted Notes > Ctrl click the note > Restore to > Select Notebook > click restore > Copy one note to another > Ctrl click the note in Deleted Notes > Click Delete Permanently.

• SYNCHRONIZATION CONFLICTS

You'll automatically get a warning icon in this case. Fix the conflicts with below;

1. Open the merge conflicts error page and click on a place inside the page.

2. Hit on Edit and click All from the menu.

3. Press Command+C on the keyboard to copy.

4. Open the main version and click on a location, then paste the content using Command+V keys.

5. Click on "Delete Version" to remove sync conflicts.

• SERVER IS BUSY

These errors appear like sync errors, but most of them are authentication errors which you can fix with the below steps;

1. Make sure you are signed out or click OneNote and Sign Out.

2. Sign in again by clicking OneNote and sign In tab.

3. Exit by tapping on the File and Close This tab and open the notebook again with the File and Open Recent button.

4. Ensure the web version is accessible by clicking Notebooks > Copy Link to Notebook > Address box on browser > paste the URL > Press Enter.

• COLLABORATION SPACE SYNC FIX IS THE SAME AS WINDOWS PC

• OTHER SYNC ERROR

Try below steps in case of other sync errors like 0xE0000021, 0xE000002E, 0xE40105F9 and others.

1. Select the Apple menu and go to Software Update.

2. Find the OneNote for Mac and click on Update.

3. Open Finder and tap Go.

4. Select Utilities and hit on Keychain Access.

5. Click Preferences > General > Reset My Default Keychains.

6. Enter macOS account details to log in.

7. Quit the access.

8. Restart the Mac device and sync to the notebook using an MS account.

If your issues couldn't be solved with the above instructions, you can contact the OneNote team or ask the Microsoft community.

Also Read:

• Troubleshooting Canon imageCLASS Products MF Scan Utility Error

• How To Get Microsoft Office 365 For Your School For Free

• How to fix 'can't sync' issues on Microsoft OneNote