OneNote sync issues

Question

I use OneNote on my iPad and laptop. I usually take notes on my iPad, but I can see all the files on my iPad. There is nothing wrong with that. However, on my laptop, the files on my iPad are not synced. I tried syncing on the iPad and on the laptop, but it didn't work. I tried to use Gemini to solve the problem, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't solve it.

I unsynced OneDrive in the middle, but I think that's why, so I tried syncing OneDrive again, but it didn't work.

If you look at the second photo, [Loading...] there is no change from .

The first photo is a notification that appears when you press a file in the wrong section.

I don't know how to fix it. Can you solve it remotely?

Answer 1

Hello Hayes,

I’ll give it a try and see if I can help you with that.

To help narrow down the issue, could you please double-check following information?

1/ Is the issue affecting one notebook or all notebooks?

2/ Can you see the affected notebook on OneDrive Web (using the same account as on the iPad)?

3/ Are you signed into the same Microsoft account on the iPad, OneNote on the laptop, and OneDrive on the laptop?

4/ If you create a new page on the iPad, does it appear on OneDrive Web?

5/ Did the issue start before or after you unlinked OneDrive from the laptop?

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Besides, I'd like to share a few troubleshooting steps and some screenshots I prepared to help you check whether they can identify the cause of this behavior. 

1> Verify Accounts

Confirm the same Microsoft account is signed in on:

• iPad OneNote
• Laptop OneNote
• OneDrive (App&Web)

2> Check OneDrive Web

• Sign in to OneDrive Web.
• Verify whether the affected notebook is visible.

3> Run a Sync Test

• Create a new page on iPad.
• Check if it appears on OneDrive Web and the laptop.

4>Reopen the Notebook

• Close the affected notebook on the laptop.
• Reopen it directly from OneDrive Web.

5> Check for Errors

• Confirm whether OneDrive shows any sync errors.
• Capture any OneNote error message or error code.

I hope I've been able to help in some way. Please keep me posted. 

Have a nice day!

Answer 2

This cannot be fixed remotely here, but these are the supported troubleshooting steps for this OneNote sync scenario between iPad and laptop:

1. Do not sign out, remove the app, or reinstall OneNote first. Microsoft warns this can cause data loss while notes are not fully synced.
2. Check internet connectivity on both devices. OneNote sync depends on a reliable connection.
3. Check whether the notebook opens in OneNote for the web.
   • On the laptop, open OneNote desktop app.
   • Go to File > Info.
   • Right-click the notebook URL shown under the notebook name, then select Copy.
   • Paste that URL into a browser and open it in OneNote for the web.
   • If the latest iPad notes appear there, the notebook data is in the service and the issue is likely with the laptop app.
   • If the latest notes do not appear there, the iPad changes likely have not fully synced yet.
4. Force sync from the laptop.
   • In OneNote 2016 on Windows: File > View Sync Status > Sync Now next to the affected notebook.
   • In the same Shared Notebook Synchronization window, check whether an error code is shown for that notebook.
5. On iPad, there is no manual “force sync this notebook” option. A pull-down refresh on the notebooks list is the supported re-sync action for iOS in the authentication troubleshooting guidance.
6. If the notebook is stuck loading on the laptop, close and reopen that notebook carefully.
   • Warning: before doing this, copy and back up any recent unsynced notes from the device where they were created.
   • In OneNote desktop app, go to File.
   • On Info, right-click the notebook URL and select Copy.
   • Next to the notebook name, select Settings > Close.
   • Paste the copied URL into a browser.
   • When the notebook opens in OneNote for the web, select Open in Desktop App.
7. If the problem started after OneDrive was unsynced, verify whether this is a service-side issue.
   • If the notebook is stored on OneDrive, check the service health/status page.
   • If the notebook will not open in OneNote for the web, Microsoft indicates that this usually points to a server issue.
8. Update OneNote on both devices.
   • On Windows OneNote 2016: File > Account > Update Options > Update Now.
   • On iPad, make sure the latest OneNote version is installed.
9. If the laptop keeps asking for sign-in or still will not sync, use the Windows credential reset steps.
   • Close OneNote and browser windows.
   • Open Start > Settings.
   • Search for Credential Manager.
   • Open Windows Credentials.
   • Remove entries beginning with MicrosoftAccount and MicrosoftOffice.
   • Restart Windows, open OneNote, and sign in again.
10. If the notebook is on SharePoint instead of OneDrive, contact the administrator. SharePoint sync issues require admin-side investigation.

Most likely next step for this exact case: open the affected notebook in OneNote for the web first. That determines whether the missing iPad notes are already in the cloud or still stuck on the iPad.

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