How to Repair and Reset OneNote Windows 11 or 10?
Resetting OneNote means restoring the application to its original installation state. This removes app data, clears cache files, deletes stored preferences, and fixes corrupted configurations. It does not permanently delete notebooks saved to your Microsoft account because those files are stored in the cloud.
There are two similar but slightly different processes in Windows 11 and Windows 10. The location of the settings may differ slightly, but the overall steps remain the same.
Before resetting, you should ensure that your notes are synced with your Microsoft account. If you have notebooks stored locally and not synced, resetting may remove unsynced data.
There are two types of reset-related options you may see. The first is Repair, which attempts to fix the app without deleting data. The second is Reset, which clears the app data completely. If Repair does not solve the issue, Reset is the recommended option.
If you are facing problems such as OneNote not opening, syncing errors, slow performance, or login issues, resetting the app can restore it to its default state and resolve the issue effectively.
So, let’s do it easily!
How to Repair OneNote?
Repairing OneNote is a safer troubleshooting step than resetting. The Repair option attempts to fix the application without deleting app data or removing saved preferences.
If OneNote is slow, freezing occasionally, or experiencing minor syncing glitches, repair should be your first step.
Press Windows + I to open Settings. You can also open the Start Menu and select Settings manually. Click on Apps. In Windows 11, select Installed Apps. In Windows 10, stay on the Apps and Features section.
Scroll through the list or use the search bar to find Microsoft OneNote. Make sure you select the correct version of the app.
Click the three-dot menu in Windows 11 and choose Advanced Options. In Windows 10, click OneNote and then select Advanced Options.
Scroll down to the Repair section. Click the Repair button.
After the repair finishes, open OneNote again. Check whether the issue has been resolved. Try opening notebooks, creating a new note, and syncing changes.
If everything works normally, no further action is needed.
When Should You Reset OneNote?
You should consider resetting OneNote if you experience frequent crashes, syncing errors, login problems, corrupted notebooks, or slow performance.
Resetting is especially useful when OneNote fails to open or shows error codes repeatedly.
It is not necessary to address minor glitches that can be fixed by restarting the app or updating Windows.
How to Reset OneNote Windows 11 or 10?
To reset OneNote on Windows 11 or 10, open Settings, go to Apps, select Installed Apps or Apps and Features, find OneNote, click Advanced Options, and choose Reset. Confirm the reset to restore the app to its default settings.
Below are the detailed steps to reset OneNote safely on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Step 1: Open Windows Settings
The first step is to access the Windows Settings panel.
On Windows 11, click the Start Menu and select Settings. You can also press Windows + I to open Settings instantly.
On Windows 10, click the Start Menu, then click the Settings gear icon. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Windows + I.
The Settings window allows you to manage system configurations, installed applications, accounts, and device preferences.
Step 2: Go to the Apps Section
Once inside Settings, locate and click on Apps.
In Windows 11, you will see options like Installed Apps, Default Apps, and Optional Features.
In Windows 10, you will see Apps and Features as the primary section.
This area displays all applications installed on your computer, including built-in apps like OneNote.
Step 3: Find Microsoft OneNote
In the Apps section, you need to locate OneNote.
On Windows 11, click Installed Apps and scroll through the list until you find Microsoft OneNote. You can also use the search bar at the top to type OneNote for quicker results.
On Windows 10, stay in the Apps and Features list and scroll down to find OneNote.
Make sure you select the correct OneNote version. Some systems may have both OneNote for Windows 10 and the desktop version installed.
Step 4: Open Advanced Options
After locating OneNote, click on it to expand its options.
On Windows 11, click the three-dot menu next to OneNote and select Advanced Options.
On Windows 10, click on OneNote and then click Advanced Options directly below the app name.
The Advanced Options page contains settings related to app permissions, background usage, termination, repair, and reset.
Step 5: Try the Repair Option First
Before performing a full reset, it is recommended to try the Repair option.
Scroll down until you see the Repair and Reset section. Click Repair and wait for Windows to complete the process. This usually takes a few seconds. Repair does not delete your app data.
After the repair is finished, reopen OneNote and check if the issue has been resolved.
If the problem persists, proceed to the next step.
Step 6: Click the Reset Button
If Repair did not fix the issue, scroll further down and click the Reset button.
You will see a warning message stating that the app data will be deleted and the app will be restored to its default settings.
Click Reset again to confirm.
Windows will now reset the OneNote application. This process clears local data, cache files, stored login information, and preferences.
Step 7: Reopen and Sign In to OneNote
Once the reset process is complete, close the Settings window.
Open OneNote again from the Start Menu. Since the app has been reset, you may need to sign in again using your Microsoft account credentials.
After signing in, your synced notebooks will automatically reappear because they are stored in the cloud.
If your notebooks do not appear immediately, give the app a few moments to sync.
Step 8: Verify Sync and Settings
After logging back in, check your notebooks and ensure everything is syncing correctly.
Click on File and verify your account details. Open a notebook and create a test note to confirm that OneNote is functioning properly.
If syncing works without errors and the app runs smoothly, the reset process was successful.
Alternative Method: Reset Using PowerShell
If resetting OneNote through Settings does not work, or if the Reset button is unavailable, you can reset the app using Windows PowerShell. This method removes the existing OneNote app package from your system and reinstalls it fresh from Windows.
Step 1: Open Windows PowerShell as Administrator
Click the Start Menu and type PowerShell.
Right-click on Windows PowerShell and select Run as Administrator. If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes.
Opening PowerShell with administrative privileges ensures you have permission to remove system apps.
Step 2: Check the Installed OneNote Package
To confirm that OneNote is installed and identify its package name, type the following command in PowerShell and press Enter:
Get AppxPackage OneNote
PowerShell will display details about the installed OneNote package, including its full package name. This confirms the app is installed and recognized by the system.
Step 3: Remove the OneNote App Package
To uninstall the current OneNote app package, type the following command and press Enter:
Get AppxPackage OneNote | Remove AppxPackage
This command removes the Microsoft Store version of Microsoft OneNote from your system.
Wait for the command to complete. There may be no confirmation message, but the prompt will return once the process finishes.
Step 4: Reinstall OneNote
After removing the app, you need to reinstall it. Open the Microsoft Store from the Start Menu. Search for Microsoft OneNote. Click Install to download and reinstall the application.
Reinstalling gives you a fresh, clean version of OneNote without corrupted files or damaged settings.
Step 5: Sign In and Sync
Once reinstalled, open OneNote. Sign in with your Microsoft account credentials.
Your notebooks stored in the cloud will begin syncing automatically. If syncing does not start immediately, check your internet connection and account settings.
When to Use the PowerShell Method
You should use this method if:
- OneNote does not open at all
- The Reset option is missing from Advanced Options
- The app crashes immediately after launch
- There are persistent package-related errors
The PowerShell method performs a deeper reset than the Settings option because it removes the entire app package.
Faqs
Does resetting OneNote delete my notes?
No. Notes stored in your Microsoft account remain safe in the cloud. However, unsynced local notes may be removed.
Is resetting OneNote safe?
Yes. Resetting is safe and recommended when troubleshooting serious issues.
How long does it take to reset OneNote?
The reset process usually takes less than a minute.
Can I undo a OneNote reset?
No. Once the reset is complete, local data cannot be restored unless backed up.
Why is OneNote not syncing even after a reset?
Check your internet connection, Microsoft account login status, and ensure Windows is updated.
Should I uninstall instead of resetting?
Uninstalling and reinstalling can help, but resetting is quicker and usually solves most problems.