Can't sign in to one note app on ipad

Question

Can't sign in to one note app on ipad

Rose 0

I am unable to sign in to OneNote app on my iPad air. I doubt the problem is my account since I am able to sign in to one note on my cellphone and my laptop both on the app and the web version. I have tried resetting the app, uninstalling and reinstalling it. None of which worked. I have tried to sign in multiple times after restarting my ipad. When I try to sign in, one of two things happen. One, I have no error message but I am still not signed in. Or two, it says that my microsoft account doesn't exist, which is nonsensical because I am using it to write this complaint. I really like the app and not much the web version. I have tried to sync my account to no avail. What should I do?

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Rose 0

Hello, the problem has been solved. I just had to uninstall the ad blocker I installed for safari. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Thank you for your time, have a great day!

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Answer 1

Jade Ng 15,480 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Dear @Rose,

Thank you for providing those details. I understand how frustrating this situation must be, especially since you're able to access the same Microsoft account successfully through OneNote on your phone, laptop, and the web version.

Since the issue appears to be isolated to the OneNote app on your iPad, I'd like to gather a bit more information to help narrow down the cause:

What version of iPadOS is currently installed on your iPad?
Does the issue occur on both Wi-Fi and a different network connection, such as a mobile hotspot?
When the sign-in fails, do you consistently receive the "Microsoft account doesn't exist" message, or does the app simply return to the sign-in screen without any error?

In the meantime, please follow the steps below:

Note: Before following the steps ensure there are no changed you made in OneNote for iPad which are not synced yet. The steps below will close all your notebooks and log you out from the OneNote app.

Please check whether both your iPadOS and the OneNote app are fully up to date, as outdated versions can sometimes cause authentication issues on iOS devices.
If OneNote is currently running on the iPad, force the app to close by double-tapping the Home button on the iPad, and then swiping up on the OneNote app preview.
On your iPad, tap the Settings app. In the pane on the left, scroll down to the alphabetical list of installed apps and then tap the OneNote icon.
In the OneNote options on the right, under the Reset heading, tap Reset OneNote.
In the Reset OneNote options on the right, tap to enable the Delete All Notebooks option, and then also tap to enable the Delete Login Credentials option.
Restart OneNote, and then tap Sign In to log in with your work or school credentials.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation, and I look forward to your update. Hope you having a nice day and really much warm regards to you as well!

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Rose 0 Reputation points

2026-07-31T17:09:30.9266667+00:00
The IpadOS is 26.5

Yes, I have tried.

Not always. It returns to the sign in screen without any errors if I directly try to sign in by pressing the "sign in button" right away. Also, if I am signed in with my personal account at first to then try to add my student account, which is the one I am trying to sign in, it doesnt show any error message. I shows the me error message when I press "create one" in the sign in page which direct me to the "Create your Microsoft account" and then I press sign in. After putting my info in it. It then shows me the "this account doesn't exist".

I have alreay tried to reset, reinstall the app by messing with the settings. I does not work.
Jade Ng 15,480 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-03T06:42:02.4333333+00:00

Dear @Rose,

Thank you for the additional details.

I would like to make sure I correctly understand the behavior you are seeing. Could you please provide a screenshot of the sign-in process, especially at the point where the app returns to the OneNote sign-in screen without any error message, or you receive the "This account doesn't exist" message.
Jade Ng 15,480 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-04T02:13:56.46+00:00

Dear @Rose,

Thank you for the update. I'm glad to hear the issue has been resolved.

Based on your findings, the problem was caused by an ad blocker installed for Safari on the iPad, which was interfering with the OneNote sign-in process. This explains why the same Microsoft account worked successfully on your phone, laptop, and the OneNote web version, while the OneNote app on the iPad was unable to sign in.

Since uninstalling the ad blocker resolved the issue, no further troubleshooting is required at this time. If you have any further questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you for taking the time to share the resolution. Wishing you a wonderful day ahead.