OneNote keeps crashing on Windows 11

If OneNote keeps crashing on your Windows 11/10 computer, you can use the fixes provided in this article. This problem can occur due to a corrupted OneNote notebook or a bug. According to the reports, OneNote crashes in different user scenarios, such as when opening a Notebook, exporting to PDF, syncing a Notebook, etc.

OneNote keeps crashing on Windows 11/10

Use the following suggestions if OneNote keeps crashing on Windows 11/10:

1. Check for updates and clear the OneNote cache
2. Repair OneNote
3. Disable Automatic handwriting recognition
4. Clear Print queue
5. Export the notebook in MHT format
6. Copy the entire notebook into a blank notebook
7. Uninstall and reinstall the language pack (if applicable)
8. Uninstall and reinstall Office

All these fixes are explained in detail below.

1] Check for updates and clear the OneNote cache

A bug might be causing this problem. Check for an update and install it (if it is available). Open OneNote and go to File > Account. Now, check for updates manually. I also suggest clearing the OneNote cache.

2] Repair OneNote

Corrupted OneNote files can also cause OneNote to crash in different scenarios. Repairing OneNote can fix crashing issues due to file corruption. The following steps will help you repair OneNote:

1. Open Windows 11/10 Settings.
2. Go to Apps > Installed apps.
3. Search for Microsoft OneNote in the list of installed apps.
4. Click on the three dots next to OneNote and select Modify. Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
5. Select Online Repair and click Repair.

After repairing OneNote, see if the problem persists.

3] Disable Automatic handwriting recognition

If OneNote crashes while typing, disable the Automatic handwriting recognition feature and see if it helps.

Go through the following instructions:

1. Open Microsoft OneNote.
2. Go to File > Options.
3. Select Advanced from the left side.
4. Uncheck the Enable automatic handwriting recognition checkbox under the Pen section.

4] Clear Print queue

Clearing the print queue can help fix this issue if OneNote crashes while printing. Follow the steps provided below:

1. Open Windows Services Services Manager.
2. Search for Print Spooler.
3. Right-click on it and select Stop.

After stopping the Print Spooler service, open File Explorer and go to the following path:

C:\Windows\System32\spool

Open the PRINTERS folder and delete all the files it contains. Do not delete the PRINTERS folder. Now, go to Windows Services Manager, right-click on the Print Spooler service, and select Start.

5] Export the notebook in MHT format

If OneNote crashes when printing or exporting it as a PDF, export it in MHT format, then save it as a PDF. The steps to do this are as follows:

1. Open OneNote.
2. Select the notebook that you want to print or export as a PDF.
3. Go to File > Export.
4. Now, select Notebook from the Export Current section.
5. Select Single File Web Page (.mht) under the Select Format section.
6. Click Export and save it on your PC.

Now, right-click on the exported MHT file and select Open with > Word. Or, open Microsoft Word and press the Ctrl + O keys. Now, select the MHT file to open in Word. After that, go to File > Save As. Select a location to save the Word file. Select PDF in the file type and click Save. Now, you can easily print your notebook.

6] Copy the entire notebook into a blank notebook

Your notebook might have corrupt pages, which is crashing. Copy each section of your notebook into a new blank notebook.

The following steps will guide you on this:

1. Expand the problematic notebook to view all its sections.
2. Right-click on its first section and select Move or Copy.
3. A new window will appear. Select the newly created notebook and then select Copy.

Repeat the above steps until you copy all the sections to a new notebook.

7] Uninstall and reinstall the language pack (if applicable)

If you have installed a language pack, that might be causing the problem due to which OneNote keeps crashing while typing.

All the installed language packs are available in Windows 11/10 Settings in the list of installed apps. You can uninstall them from there. Close all the Office apps and then follow the instructions provided below:

1. Open Windows 11/10 Settings.
2. Go to Apps > Installed apps.
3. Scroll down and find the Office language pack.
4. Click on the three dots and select Uninstall.

Now, visit the official Microsoft website and download the language pack from there. Alternatively, you can also install a language pack from any Office app. Open an Office app and go to File > Options > Language. Click Add Language, select a language, and click Install.

8] Uninstall and reinstall Office

If the problem persists, uninstall and reinstall the Microsoft Office suite. Before uninstalling, make sure that it is added to your Microsoft account or that you have its product activation key. Use the SaRA app to completely uninstall Office.

That’s it. I hope this helps.

Can I delete OneNote for Windows 11?

Yes, you can delete OneNote for Windows 11 from your PC. If you are experiencing issues with OneNote, you can uninstall and reinstall it, which can fix the issue. You can also reinstall OneNote from the Microsoft Store.

Is OneNote for Windows 10 compatible with Windows 11?

OneNote for Windows is an app on the Microsoft Store. It is compatible with both Windows 11 and Windows 10 and can be installed directly from the Microsoft Store on both OS.

Read next: Best OneNote Templates for Work.