Trouble in Journal app

Ok, I've tried to follow some of that advice. I can't tell if it is fixed right now since that just comes out of nowhere. If it appears again, I'll be back for some further help.

Thank you for all,

Francisco Lopes

Dear Francisco,

Thank you for providing the screenshots and the detailed translations of the error messages. This clarifies the situation significantly. Here's a breakdown of the problem and the steps we need to take, based on the error messages:

Understanding the Error Messages:

1."There was a problem saving the most recent changes. Verify if the file is not read-only (which I doubt because I have never touched anything like that) and if any network it is on is still connected (which it was). If this happens frequently, close the journal."

Meaning: This initial message suggests a temporary saving issue, possibly due to a brief network glitch, a temporary file lock, or a permissions hiccup. The critical part is the instruction to "close the journal if it happens frequently."

2."This journal cannot be opened. "TLB II" cannot be opened at the moment because it is open in another application or maybe you do not have the correct permissions. Verify that you have the correct permission to access this journal and try again."

Meaning: This points to either the file being locked by another process (even a ghost process from the Journal app not closing cleanly) or a permissions issue. Since it's saved on OneDrive, permissions are usually managed by your Microsoft account.

3."Problem with this journal. Unfortunately, "TLB II" cannot be opened because it contains irreparable errors."

Meaning: This is the most concerning message. "Irreparable errors" strongly suggests file corruption. This can happen if the app crashed during a save, if there was a sudden power loss, or if the sync process was interrupted.

Immediate Steps to Take:

1.Check OneDrive Version History:

• Go to your OneDrive account via a web browser (onedrive.live.com or your work/school OneDrive).
• Navigate to the folder where your Journal notes are saved.
• Find the specific Journal file (TLB II or whatever its name is).
• Right-click on the file and look for "Version history" or "Previous versions."
• Check if there are any recent versions saved before the first error appeared. You might be able to restore an earlier, uncorrupted version, even if it means losing a small amount of the very latest work.

2.Check OneDrive Recycle Bin:

Sometimes corrupted files are moved or deleted. Check your OneDrive Recycle Bin online to see if any older versions or copies are there.

3.Restart Your PC:

A full restart of your Windows 11 PC can clear any lingering processes that might be holding the Journal file locked. After restarting, try opening the Journal app and a new journal to test its saving functionality.

4.Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM:

• Corrupted system files can sometimes affect app behavior.
• Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
• Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. Let it complete.
• Then type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter. Let it complete.
• Restart your PC and test the Journal app.

5.Reset the Microsoft Journal App:

• This can clear cached data or corrupted app settings without affecting your actual journal files.
• Go to Start Menu > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
• Find "Microsoft Journal" in the list.
• Click the three dots (...) next to it and select "Advanced options."
• Scroll down and click "Terminate" (to ensure it's fully closed), then click "Repair". If "Repair" doesn't work or isn't available, click "Reset".
• After resetting, restart your PC and try opening the Journal app again.

6.Temporarily Pause OneDrive Sync:

While working on a journal, you could try right-clicking the OneDrive icon in your taskbar and selecting "Pause syncing" for an hour. Save your work manually, then resume syncing. This is a workaround if the issue is sync-related, but it doesn't solve the underlying cause.

Preventing Future Data Loss:

• Frequent Saves/Backups: The Microsoft Journal app is designed to auto-save. However, given your experience, consider exporting or manually backing up critical sections of your notes more frequently, especially after major study sessions, if the option is available within the app.
• Monitor OneDrive Sync Status: Keep an eye on the OneDrive sync status icon in your taskbar. If it shows errors or is constantly trying to sync, it could indicate a problem.
• Consider a Robust Note-Taking Alternative (Temporarily): While we work to resolve this, for highly critical study notes, you might consider using OneNote (which has more robust versioning and backup features, also integrating with OneDrive) or even Microsoft Word for plain text notes as a temporary measure.

If none of the above solutions work, let me know for further investigation. Please note that our initial response does not always resolve the issue immediately. However, with your help and more detailed information, we can work together to find a solution.
Kind regards,

Kai-L - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

I'm using the Microsoft Journal app in Windows 11 and my notes are typically saved in One Drive. I have also looked for any updates and nothing. The storage is not a problem since only 1% of One Drive is occupied.

This was the first message that was shown. Sorry for being in Portuguese but it says basically that "There was a problem saving recent updates. Verify if the archive it's not just for reading (which I doubt because I have never touched in anything of that) and if any network was still connected (which was). If it happens frequently, close the journal." The fact is that I closed and it never opened again.

These are the two messages that are shown to me now. One says to verify if I have the right permission and the other says that it may contain irreparable damages.

Thank you,

Francisco Lopes

Ps: Meanwhile, I re-entered the app and it was said that the journal was recovered. However the first one is still missing. I don't need it but I would like to know the problem related to this so that this doesn't happen again.

Dear Francisco,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community.

I understand this is incredibly upsetting and disruptive to your studies. Losing notes repeatedly, especially for important subjects, is a truly difficult situation, and I appreciate you reaching out for help with this persistent issue with the Journal app.

To help me understand and diagnose this issue, and to get you a solution "for once and for all," please provide the following information:

1. Which "Journal app" are you using?
   • Is it the Microsoft Journal app (the one often used with digital pens on Windows)?
   • Is it part of Microsoft OneNote or Microsoft Edge Journal?
   • Is it a third-party journaling app (e.g., Journey, Day One, Evernote, a specific university/institution app, etc.)? Please provide the full name of the app and its developer if you know it.
2. What operating system are you using? (e.g., Windows 10, Windows 11, macOS, Android, iOS, iPadOS)
3. How are your notes typically saved or synced?
   • Does the app save locally to your device, or does it sync to a cloud service (e.g., OneDrive, Dropbox, iCloud, Google Drive, the app's own cloud service)?
   • If it syncs, have you checked the cloud service directly to see if your notes exist there, even if the app isn't showing them?
4. Have you tried any troubleshooting steps beyond simply closing and reopening the app? For example:
   • Restarting your computer/device?
   • Checking for updates for the Journal app?
   • Checking for updates for your operating system?
   • Checking your device's storage space?

Also please provide screenshots of the exact messages you're seeing in the Journal app via a private message. Once I have a clearer picture of the app you're using, the specific error messages, and the screenshots, I can provide more targeted and effective solutions. I understand your urgency, and I'm here to help you get this resolved.

To view private email options, sign in to Microsoft Community> use the email account that posted this thread information to Microsoft Community> > click Profile in the upper-right corner, and then select My Profile.  

Thank you for your patience. We are committed to helping you resolve this.

Kind regards, 

Kai-L - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist