Hello,
Thank you for contacting us regarding the issue you experienced with OneNote. I understand how concerning it is to lose important notes, especially when they contain valuable information. I’m here to help guide you through possible recovery steps.
1: Check OneNote Backups: If you're using OneNote for Windows 10, it typically syncs directly to OneDrive and does not store local backups. However, if you were using OneNote 2016 or another desktop version, you may find backups at:
C:\Users<YourUsername>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneNote<Version>\Backup
If available, you can restore notes from these backups.
2: Look in Misplaced Sections: During sync errors, OneNote may move unsynced content to a section called “Misplaced Sections.” Check this area in your notebook for any missing notes.
3: Use OneNote for Web: Try opening your notebook via OneNote Online. If your notes appear there, the issue may be with the desktop app. You can then re-open the notebook in the desktop version to re-establish sync.
4: Manual Sync and Cache Reset: You can manually trigger a sync by pressing Shift + F9 in OneNote. If that doesn’t work, consider renaming the cache folder:
- Press
Windows + R, type %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneNote\16.0, and press Enter.
- Rename the
cache folder to cache_backup.
- Restart OneNote and check if the notes reappear.
5: Check OneDrive Recycle Bin: If your notebook was synced to OneDrive, visit your OneDrive account and check the recycle bin for deleted sections or notebooks. You may be able to restore them from there.
Best Regards,
Adaeze || Microsoft Q&A Forum Support