OneNote stops responding to item selection changes

Question

For a long time now (months or even years). I've had the experience that OneNote for Windows 10 stops updating the screen when I change my selection in the notes list. This happens when I've had OneNote open for a while on a note. I try to use the Recent Notes list to select a different note to view/edit, and nothing happens. That is: the selection is shown to change in the list, but the note screen keeps displaying the old note.

Closing and reopening OneNote fixes the problem -- for a while. Like today, I'm working from a specific note, and keeping track of my progress in a different note, in the same notebook and section. It's happened three times now that switching from the work note to the track-keeping note no longer works.

The notes involved are text-only, created in OneNote, with some formatting (bold, indented, task checkboxes. Neither is particularly long (2-3 screens of lines). I believe it has also happened with different notes in the past.

What's up with this? Who knows the problem, and more importantly: a fix?

Edit: Actually, it seems it's not a matter of time, but of what I am attempting to do. When I cut a bit of text in one note, and then try to move to the other note to paste the cut content, the problem pops up. When I copy, and move to the other note, no problem. So apparently OneNote won't let me cut-paste between notes?

Answer 1

I'm glad that repairing OneNote may have resolved the issue with cut and paste between notes.

Regarding step 3, you're correct that OneNote for Windows 10 does not have a File menu. Instead, you can try clearing the cache by going to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, finding OneNote on the list, clicking on it, and then clicking on "Advanced options". Under the "Storage usage and app reset" section, you can click on the "Clear" button under "Clear app data".

As for the Move function, you are correct that this function is not available for note content in OneNote for Windows 10. My apologies for the confusion.

If you have any other questions or need assistance with anything, please don't hesitate to let me know. I'm here to help to the best of my ability.

Give back to the Community. Help the next person who has this issue by indicating if this reply solved your problem. Click Yes or No below.

Best Regards, Sneha

Answer 2

Hi Sneha, thanks for your reply. Here's the result of your troubleshooting steps:

1)/2) This issue has kept recurring for months or even years. Rest assured I've often closed OneNote and restarted my computer in that period.

3. OneNote for Windows 10 does not have the option you describe. In fact, it doesn't even have a File menu.
4. First impression after repairing OneNote (the option that keeps the data): I can now cut and paste between notes. In other words, this may have resolved the issue.
5. So far, no need to reinstall, it seems.

The advice to work around the issue by using copy-paste would have been useful, but like I said in my OP, I've already been doing that, so no need to 'try'.

Your suggestion to use the Move function is less useful, as there is no Move function for note content in OneNote for Windows 10.

Answer 3

Hi,

I'm Sneha and I'd be happy to help you out with your question. Sorry for the inconvenience caused.

This can be caused by a variety of factors, including a corrupted OneNote cache or an issue with the program's settings.

To resolve the issue, you can try the following steps:

1. Close OneNote and restart your computer.
2. Open OneNote and check if the issue is still present. If it is, try the next step.
3. Clear the OneNote cache. To do this, go to File > Options > Save & Backup, and click the "Clear Cache" button.
4. If the issue persists, try resetting the OneNote app. To do this, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, find OneNote on the list, and click "Advanced options". Click the "Reset" button.
5. If the problem continues, you may need to uninstall and reinstall OneNote.

Regarding the issue with cut-pasting between notes, it is possible that OneNote is not allowing you to perform this action due to a bug or setting. You can try copying and pasting the content instead of cutting and pasting to see if this resolves the issue. Alternatively, you can try using the "Move" function in OneNote to move content between notes.

If you have any other questions or need assistance with anything, please don't hesitate to let me know. I'm here to help to the best of my ability.

Give back to the Community. Help the next person who has this issue by indicating if this reply solved your problem. Click Yes or No below.

Best Regards, Sneha