OneNote: Immersive Reader throws error "GetReaderModel API error: \"\", Response HTTP code: 0"

Question

The Immersive Reader function in OneNote Desktop doesn't work for any users in my tenant.

"GetReaderModel API error: "", Response HTTP code: 0"

What I have tried:

• Reinstalling OneNote desktop app. No success
• Tested both on Windows and Mac. No success
• Installing OneNote desktop app on clean pc. No success
• Other networks (outside company network). No success
• OneNote desktop on IOS
• Web version (https://onenote.office.com) - Works
• Immersive Reader in Word - Works

Answer 1

The error message "GetReaderModel API error: "", Response HTTP code: 0" indicates that there may be issues with the Immersive Reader service in OneNote Desktop. Since you've already tried reinstalling the app, testing on different operating systems, and using various networks without success, the issue might be related to service availability or configuration settings within your tenant.

Here are a few suggestions to troubleshoot further:

1. Check Service Status: Verify if there are any ongoing issues with the Immersive Reader service on the Microsoft 365 Service Health Dashboard.
2. Permissions: Ensure that the users in your tenant have the necessary permissions to access the Immersive Reader feature.
3. Tenant Configuration: Review the tenant settings to see if there are any restrictions or policies that might affect the Immersive Reader functionality.
4. Contact Support: If the issue persists, consider reaching out to Microsoft Support for assistance, as they may have more insight into tenant-specific issues.

Since the web version and Immersive Reader in Word are working, this suggests that the issue is specific to the OneNote Desktop application.

Answer 2

Hello @Øyvind Andreas Nilsen,

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A Forum and sharing the details of your issue. 

I’ve recently seen other users report similar problems, and after testing in my own environment, I experienced the same error you described. 

Although this issue hasn’t appeared as an official notice in Service Health yet, the error you’re seeing typically occurs due to a temporary server-side problem, specifically when the Immersive Reader API service becomes unavailable. The HTTP code “0” indicates that the backend did not respond, rather than a problem on your device or network. 

 

To help Microsoft investigate and acknowledge this issue, I recommend asking your tenant administrator to report it through Admin Center > Service Health > “Report an issue" and also submitting a support ticket via Help & Support. This will allow Microsoft agents to look deeper into your tenant’s case. 

In the meantime, as a practical workaround, you might consider using OneNote Online, where Immersive Reader is working as expected. This can help keep your work moving smoothly until the desktop experience is restored. 

 

If my response helps clarify the situation and guide you toward the next steps, please consider marking it as the Accepted. Doing so will make this post easier for others experiencing the same issue to find and benefit from our conversation. 

Thank you again for your time and for raising this important concern. Your effort helps improve the experience for many users. 

Kind regards, 

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