OneNote sync error out of space, but less than 1% used on onedrive

Tosh 0 Reputation points
2025-12-11T20:43:51.0166667+00:00

My OneNote account will not sync due to OneNote can't sync your notes because your account is out of space. (Error code: 0xE0000796 4oxx3 | ecf4261d-c290-4a5c-a34f-15307ad2b3c3 202512112033). I have deleted local cache, emptied recycle bins locally and on one drive / 365 (whatever it is). I have deleted and reinstalled the app. It gives the same out of space error when I'm logged in on one drive, while on the next page it says I have <0.1gb/5gb used. I have researched this forum, others, and consulted AI. I have gone into APPS and repaired and reset. None of the recommendations have any effect. My account is stored on one drive, not on a sharepoint. I love OneNote, but this is maddening. If this can't be fixed, I will have to find another, similar 3rd party app that works.

This affects all my devices linked to the account - Windows PC, Android Samsung, and OneDrive/365

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneNote | For home | Other
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  1. JANSHER LIWAG 8,955 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-12-11T21:39:07.5166667+00:00

    Hi Tosh,

    Thank you for posting, I am here to help. To fix this problem, first verify whether the notebook is stored on OneDrive / Sharepoint or your local computer.

    If your notebook is stored on OneDrive or SharePoint:

    Check that your ​​​​​​​notebook does not exceed the file size limit of 2 GB. Browse to the file location and right-click to show the file properties.

    Check to see how much storage space you have left for your Microsoft account or work/school account, by going to the OneDrive website and checking your storage in the lower left corner.

    If your notebook is stored your Computer:

    Notebooks that are stored on OneDrive or SharePoint are also cached locally on your computer. If you're running out of disk space on your computer, the error may also appear.

    Try this steps:

    Go to C:\Users[username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneNote\16.0\cache and remove old files no longer needed.

    looking forward to helping you out.  If you need more help please let me know. If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer".

    Best regards,

    Jansher

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  2. Tosh 0 Reputation points
    2025-12-11T20:46:36.4266667+00:00

    Does anyone at MS look at these for resolutions?

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  3. Tosh 0 Reputation points
    2025-12-11T20:45:41.1966667+00:00

    I have done all those things to no avail. I thought I was contacting Microsoft support when I posted the information above. Instead, I get a response from AI, which I specifically mentioned was not able to help when I did the same thing before.

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  4. AI answer

    2025-12-11T20:44:02.2333333+00:00

    It sounds like you're experiencing a frustrating issue with OneNote syncing due to an out-of-space error, despite having sufficient storage available in your OneDrive account. The error code you mentioned (0xE0000796) typically indicates a problem with syncing, which can sometimes be caused by various factors, including issues with the OneNote notebook itself or conflicts in syncing.

    Here are some steps you can try to resolve this issue:

    1. Check Notebook Size: Ensure that none of your OneNote sections exceed the maximum size limit. Each section should ideally be under 50 MB. If any section exceeds this limit, it may cause syncing issues.
    2. Reset OneNote: Since you've already reinstalled the app, you might also want to try resetting OneNote. This can sometimes clear out any lingering issues that may not be resolved by a simple reinstall.
    3. Use the OneNote Online Version: Try accessing your notes via the OneNote web app. Sometimes, syncing issues can be resolved by making changes directly in the online version.
    4. Check for Updates: Ensure that your OneNote app is updated to the latest version. Sometimes, bugs are fixed in newer releases.
    5. Contact Microsoft Support: If none of the above solutions work, it may be beneficial to reach out to Microsoft Support for further assistance, as they can provide more specific troubleshooting steps based on your account and setup.

    If the problem persists after trying these steps, you may need to consider alternative note-taking applications as a last resort.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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