Offline issue with OneNote since update

Question

I updated my OneNote app two days ago and ever since it will not sync. The notebook titles have ‘Working Offline’ in them. The iPad is definitely connected to the internet (I'm posting this question from my iPad).

Can you suggest a solution? I’ve tried restarting the iPad but this did not remedy the issue.

See below for a screenshot of what my OneNote looks like - notebooks are not synced and the open notebook has ‘Working Offline’ in its title.

Answer 1

Dear @Áine Byrne,

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum.   

I understand how inconvenient it can be when OneNote stops syncing. Based on your description and the screenshot showing “Working Offline” in the notebook titles. 

OneNote is designed to sync your changes automatically across devices, including shared notebooks. If your device goes offline, any updates will be synced once you're reconnected. Here are a few possible reasons why OneNote may show “Working Offline” even when Wi-Fi is available: 

• Account authentication issue: If your Microsoft account is signed out or there’s a sign-in error, OneNote may switch to offline mode and stop syncing. 
• Outdated OneNote app: Using an older version of the app can cause temporary glitches. 
• Corrupted Cache or Temporary Data: Sometimes, corrupted cached data can prevent OneNote from connecting to the server properly. 
• Network or VPN Restrictions: Certain network settings or VPNs might block OneNote’s access to Microsoft’s servers, even if your device is connected to the internet. 

In the meantime, you can refer to the workarounds listed below:   

To ensure the best experience, please check that both your iPad and the OneNote app are updated to the latest version available. This helps you avoid potential syncing issues and ensures everything runs smoothly.  

Step 1: Check sync settings in OneNote. 

Open OneNote on your iPad.  

Tap the gear icon (️Settings) in the upper-right corner to open Settings.  

Tap Sync.  

Ensure that Auto Sync Attachments is turned ON.  

If it’s already on, try toggling it OFF, wait a few seconds, then turn it ON again.  

Step 2: Try signing out of your account and then signing back in. 

Open OneNote > Go to your account settings > Select your account > Choose Sign Out.  

After that, close the app and sign in again using your credentials. This can help refresh the connection and resolve syncing issues. 

Step 3: Remove your account from the OneNote app. 

On your iPad, open OneNote and tap the back arrow until you see your list of notebooks. Tap the gear icon next to your account name, then tap your account and choose Remove Account. Confirm the sign-out when prompted.  Next, double-tap the Home button and swipe up to close OneNote completely. Reopen the app and sign in again. 

Step 4: Turn off VPN (if enabled) 

If you're using a VPN on your iPad, please consider turning it off temporarily. VPNs can sometimes interfere with OneNote’s ability to sync properly. 

Step 5: Reinstall OneNote app (Optional) 

If the issue continues, you may consider reinstalling the OneNote app. This can help resolve any underlying app-related problems. Simply delete the app from your iPad, restart the device, then download and install OneNote again from the App Store.  

You may find this article helpful for further details: Work offline in Microsoft OneNote for iPad or iPhone - Microsoft Support 

As community moderators, we kindly ask for your understanding that our access to internal development details is limited. Our primary role is to guide users toward the appropriate resources and support channels. While we may not have visibility into performing deeper backend analysis, we’ll continue doing our best to support you within the scope of our responsibilities.  

I hope the information provided proves useful. Please proceed with the outlined steps and let me know whether they resolve the issue. If not, I’ll be glad to continue working with you to find a solution. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding throughout this process. Should you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out at any time.   

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Answer 2

I have tried all of these steps (other than uninstalling) and it has not resolved the issue. I am reluctant to uninstall as I will lose all of my work that has not synced.

The issue began after updating the app on Monday. Can you check that there are no issues with the update?

Answer 3

Same. I tried all @Ruby-N 's suggestion. None of them work. I even reinstalled it, and my oneNote on my ipad gave me a complete black screen. Will try other apps that works... A little sad that I have to rewrite all the notes to another app.

Answer 4

I'll just report my experience, it may be useful to others. I kind of resolved the problem this way:

• go to Settings > Apps > One Note > Reset One Note
• check both the options 'Delete all notebooks' and 'Delete Login Credentials'
• go back
• ensure to close one note, for example by swiping up from the bottom of the screen, then swiping on the one note miniature
• open one note and sign in
• after loading your standard Notebooks, in the notebook list there should an item such as moved sections or moved notebooks, something like that
• there you find the notes that couldn't be synced correctly.
• They are read only. I have not solved this problem yet. 😂

I was lucky not to lose my unsynced notes but I am not responsible for any loss of data or other consequences if you choose to follow these instructions.