cannot connect to server

Question

Cannot connect to server error coide cant synchronize

Answer 1

Hi Jim,

May I know the sync error you are getting?

Typically, in the case of corrupted Notebooks, if you cut and paste the sections to a new Notebook, it would sync.

1. Open Microsoft OneNote
2. Go to File → New
3. Choose location (OneDrive recommended for sync)
4. Create a new notebook with any name
5. Open the old (corrupted) notebook
6. Right-click a section (left panel)
7. Select Move or Copy
8. Choose the new notebook
9. Click Copy (avoid Move initially, safer)
10. Repeat for all sections until everything is copied
11. Open the new notebook and verify:
    • All sections/pages are present
    • Content opens correctly
    • No sync errors

I’m eager to hear back and work together to find a solution.

Answer 2

The error indicates that OneNote cannot sync because it cannot connect to the notebook location (for example, OneDrive, SharePoint, or a network share).

Try these steps:

1. Check network connection
   • Make sure the device is connected to the internet (Wi‑Fi or wired).
   • Open a browser and confirm that other sites load normally.
2. Manually sync the notebook
   • In OneNote, open the notebook that shows the error.
   • Press SHIFT+F9 to sync the current notebook, or open the Notebook Sync Status dialog and select Sync Now.
3. Verify the notebook location is available
   • If the notebook is on OneDrive, go to OneDrive in a browser and check that the account can sign in and the notebook is visible.
   • If the notebook is on SharePoint or a local network share, try opening the site or network folder in a browser/File Explorer. If it does not open, there may be a server or network issue.
4. Check for temporary server or maintenance issues
   • If the notebook is on SharePoint or a network share in an organization, contact the SharePoint or IT administrator to confirm whether the server is offline or under maintenance.
5. Retry after a short time
   • If the issue is due to intermittent network or server problems, wait a few minutes and try syncing again.

If the notebook syncs successfully after these steps, the connection issue was likely temporary or related to network/server availability.

---

References:

• Error 0xE4010641 (Network Disconnected) in OneNote