Fix OneNote Not Working in Windows 10/11 – Step by Step

Fix OneNote in Windows 11 — Quick fixes to recover your notes and restore syncing while not working

RayTube Fixes

Content creator

June 3, 2026
- 5:34 AM

3 min read

Fix: OneNote not working on Windows 11

To fix OneNote when it is not working on Windows 11, force close the application and restart your device as a quick initial step. If the app still crashes, freezes, or fails to sync, apply the targeted solutions below based on whether you use the built-in Microsoft Store version or the classic desktop Office application.

How to Solve:

Step 1: Repair or Reset the OneNote App (Microsoft Store Version)

If your app is crashing on startup, Windows can repair the system files without losing your notes.

Open Settings (press Win + I).
Click Apps on the left menu, then select Installed apps.
Scroll down to find OneNote (or OneNote for Windows 10).
Click the three dots (…) next to it and select Advanced options.
Scroll down to the Reset section and click Repair.
Open the app to test it. If it still fails, return to this menu and click Reset (Note: Ensure your notes are synced online to OneDrive first, as a reset clears local cache data).

Step 1: Repair or Reset the OneNote App (Microsoft Store Version)

If you use the traditional desktop version bundled with Microsoft 365, corrupt Office components often cause startup failures.

Open Settings and navigate to Apps > Installed apps.
Locate Microsoft 365 (or your specific Microsoft Office edition) in the list.
Click the three dots (…) and choose Modify.
Select Quick Repair and click Repair. This takes a few minutes and fixes most configuration issues.
If the problem persists, repeat the steps but choose Online Repair for a deeper reinstall

Step 3: Clear the Local OneNote Cache

A corrupted local cache can prevent OneNote from opening or syncing properly.

Close OneNote completely.
Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
Paste the following path and press Enter:
%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneNote\

Look for a folder named 16.0 (or your current version number).
Open it, find the folder named cache, and delete all the files inside it.
Relaunch OneNote. The app will rebuild the cache and safely redownload your notebooks from the cloud.

Step 4: Run the App in Safe Mode

Running the application without third-party add-ins helps determine if an external extension is causing it to crash.

Press Win + R to open the Run window.
Type onenote /safe and press Enter.
If OneNote opens successfully in Safe Mode, navigate to File > Options > Add-ins.
At the bottom, manage COM Add-ins and click Go.
Uncheck all add-ins, click OK, and restart the application normally.