sync error please refresh this notebook to continue syncing, how to fix?

Hi JF_655 and JFEP, 

Welcome to Microsoft Community and thank you for contacting us. 

The error message “Sync error: please refresh this notebook to continue syncing”, along with sections becoming read-only, typically indicates issues related to connectivity, authentication, storage location, or corrupted notebook data. Since you've noted that the issue occurs across both desktop and browser versions of OneNote, we’ve outlined a step-by-step guide below to help resolve the problem in both environments.

You may consider trying: 

1. Manually Sync the Notebook 

Manual syncing can help identify specific errors or resolve temporary glitches. 

• In OneNote desktop, go to File > Info > View Sync Status.

• Select Sync Now for the affected notebook.
• If the sync fails, please note any error codes (e.g., 0xE000006C, 0xE00009C8, 0x803D0000) for further analysis.

2. Address Read-Only Tabs 

Read-only status may result from sync failures, permission issues, or version conflicts. 

• If the notebook is shared, check for conflicting edits under History > Notebook Recycle Bin.
• If stored on SharePoint, verify that you have edit permissions. You may need to contact your SharePoint administrator.
• Try closing and reopening the notebook: 
  File > Info > Settings > Close, then reopen via File > Open.

3. Clear Notebook Cache 

Corrupted cache files can interfere with syncing and access. 

• Windows: 
  Close OneNote, navigate to: 
  C:\Users[Your Name]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneNote[Version]\Cache 
  Delete the Cache folder, then reopen OneNote.
• Mac: 
  Use Keychain Access to clear cached credentials, then restart OneNote.

4. Copy Content to a New Notebook 

If a specific section is corrupted, migrating content may resolve the issue. 

• Select +New Section.
• Right-click pages in the problematic section and select Move or Copy to the new section. 
• Delete the old section via History > Notebook Recycle Bin.
• Test syncing the new section. If successful, rename it to match the original.

We hope the steps above help restore full functionality to your OneNote notebook. If the issue persists, feel free to reach out with additional details, and we’ll be glad to assist further. 

Please ensure that any screenshots or logs shared for further assistance donot contain personal or sensitive information*.* 

Best regards, 

Demi-N | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Thanks so much.

This is one of the errors I have:

Please refresh this notebook to continue syncing. (Error code: 0xE000006C cig68 30115 | a660226a-b215-bb41-8bed-baf1ebb41ff9 202506262049)

It won't let me clear cache credentials.

And I had this problem before and hence copied everything to a new notebook, only to find the same thing has happened before.

I have a feeling it's something to do with storage location I just don't know how to fix it, as when I moved everything to a new notebook last time I tried to make sure it was located in my hotmail account (I have several other email accounts for work and thought maybe it was previously synced to one of these).

Also when I try to 'copy link to notebook' and open in a web browser it states there is a 'corrupt section' so it cannot be open in a browser. Not sure why sections would be corrupt, this particular one didn't have anything in it!

Thanks in advance

Hi Janev, 

Thank you for following up on this thread. We appreciate the detailed context you've provided. 

The error code: 0xE000006C, along with sections becoming read-only and browser access failing due to a corrupt section, strongly suggests that the issue may be related to: 

• A corrupted section within the notebook (even if it appears empty)
• Conflicting sync metadata
• A mismatch between the signed-in account and the notebook’s storage location

Since you've already attempted to copy content to a new notebook and the issue reoccurred, we recommend the following steps to isolate and resolve the problem: 

1. Confirm Notebook Ownership and Storage Location 
Please ensure the notebook is stored under your intended Microsoft account (e.g., your Hotmail account). You can verify this by: 

• Opening OneNote Web via https://www.onenote.com
• Checking the notebook’s location under your account’s OneDrive or SharePoint

If the notebook was originally created under a different account, syncing issues may arise when accessed from another profile. 

2. Remove Corrupted Sections 
Since the browser reports a corrupt section, try the following: 

• Open the notebook in OneNote desktop
• Create a new section
• Move all valid pages from the problematic section to the new one
• Delete the original section
• Empty the Notebook Recycle Bin under History > Notebook Recycle Bin

3. Sign Out and Reconnect Your Account 
To ensure the correct account is being used: 

• Go to File > Account in OneNote
• Sign out of all accounts
• Sign back in using only your Hotmail account
• Reopen the notebook from OneDrive

4. Clear Browser Cache on Your Device 
Since OneNote Web is also affected, we recommend clearing the cache of your default browser on the device. This can help resolve any residual authentication or redirect issues that may interfere with notebook access. 

If the issue continues after following the steps above, we recommend **** contacting your IT Administrator (if applicable). If your notebook is part of an organizational account (e.g., school or business), your IT administrator can: 

• Access backend logs and permissions via Microsoft Entra Admin Center or SharePoint to identify root causes.
• Submit a support request to Microsoft 365 Support on your behalf via Microsoft 365 Admin Portal

I hope the above guidance helps restore full functionality to your notebook. Should you have any updates, don’t hesitate to contact us again. 

Best regards, 

Demi-N | Microsoft Community Support Specialist