OneNote and SharePoint not syncing

Emily Olsen 20 Reputation points
2026-10-06T03:13:52.64+00:00

We have a number of master OneNote's sitting in our SharePoint. Teachers were able to open them on Desktop OneNote application in order to copy contents from it to a class notebook or specific student notebook. The teachers are now having issues opening a OneNote from SharePoint, even if they were the one to create it. It is happening with most One Notes, but not all, all within the same overarching SharePoint site. Staff are either members or owners of the page. We are receiving messages like this.
User's image

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. It was working a few weeks ago but isn't now, since at least last Friday but could have been earlier than that.

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneNote | For education | Windows
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  1. Austin-H 8,385 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-10-06T03:46:41.5166667+00:00

    Hello Emily Olsen
    Thank you for posting question to Microsoft Q&A Forum.
    You could check with the suggestions from AI first.

    In the meantime, please also check if your staffs could open the OneNote notebook via OneNote on the web?
    The idea is to check if this could be opened via the web, then you could see this option at the top right of the page > then select the option "Open in Desktop".
    User's image
    May I have your confirmation that when your staffs opened the file from SharePoint via OneNote Desktop application - it was something like this screenshot below?
    User's image If this file could be opened via OneNote on the web, then this should be an issue with OneNote Desktop application.
    I am looking forward to your update.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-10-06T03:14:12.87+00:00

    This pattern points to a SharePoint document library issue rather than a general OneNote client problem, especially since:

    • the notebooks are in SharePoint
    • most notebooks in the same site are affected, but not all
    • staff already have member/owner access
    • it worked recently and now fails when opening from desktop OneNote

    The first checks are:

    1. Verify whether the affected notebook opens in OneNote for the web.
      • In OneNote desktop, go to File.
      • On Info, copy the notebook URL shown under the notebook name.
      • Paste it into a browser and open it in OneNote for the web.
      • If it does not open in the browser either, the issue is likely on the SharePoint/server side.
      • If it opens in the browser, the issue is more likely the desktop app connection.
    2. In OneNote desktop, check sync status.
      • Go to File > Info > View Sync Status.
      • Look for any error code or message for the affected notebook.
      • If available, use Sync Now for the affected notebook.
    3. If the notebook opens in OneNote for the web, close and reopen it from the web back into desktop OneNote.
      • Warning: before closing a notebook that is not fully synced, back up any recent unsynced notes first to avoid data loss.
      • In OneNote desktop, go to File.
      • On Info, copy the notebook URL.
      • Next to the notebook name, select Settings > Close.
      • Open the copied URL in a browser.
      • In OneNote for the web, select Open in Desktop App.
    4. Check the SharePoint document library settings for the library that stores the affected notebooks. These library settings can cause OneNote sync/opening problems:
      • Require Check Out enabled
      • Minor versions enabled
      • required columns/properties in the library
      For the library:
      • Open the SharePoint document library.
      • Go to Settings > Library settings > Versioning settings.
      • Set Require Check Out to No.
      • Set versioning so it does not use minor versions. For OneNote 2016 for Windows guidance, set Document Version History to Create major versions.
    5. Confirm the SharePoint version if any notebooks are on older SharePoint infrastructure. OneNote supports SharePoint 2010 or newer. Earlier versions can cause open and sync problems.
    6. If the notebooks are stored on SharePoint and fail in the browser as well, involve the SharePoint administrator. SharePoint-hosted notebook issues that affect multiple users typically require the admin to confirm library configuration and troubleshoot the site.

    Important:

    • Do not sign out of OneNote or remove/reinstall the app as a first troubleshooting step, because that can cause data loss.
    • Since this affects many notebooks in the same SharePoint area, checking the document library settings is the most likely high-value next step.

    References:

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