OneDrive File Issues

Fix Crossed-Arrows Sync Error Icon in OneNote for Windows

Huda Qurayshi Oct 9, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is seeing a crossed-arrows icon on their OneNote notebook and wants to understand its meaning, fix the synchronization issue, and clarify the availability of Windows 11 and Business versions.

Fix Crossed-Arrows Sync Error Icon in OneNote for Windows

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Synchronizing notebooks to OneDrive for Business using the OneNote desktop application.
Observed behavior: A crossed-arrows icon appears over the notebook, indicating that the application has failed to successfully synchronize data with OneDrive for Business.

Before you start

Before attempting to fix sync issues, log in to OneNote Online to verify which notes have successfully synced, and manually copy any unsynced changes to a separate document to prevent data loss.

Solution 1Recommended

Back Up Changes and Force a Manual Sync

Use this method to secure your recent edits and force the OneNote application to re-establish a connection with OneDrive for Business.

The crossed-arrows icon explicitly means your notebook is struggling to communicate with OneDrive for Business. This is often caused by network interruptions or temporary server outages.

Check OneNote Online

Go to the OneNote website and log in with your Microsoft 365 business account to see if your latest notes are visible in the web version.

Back up recent edits

If some notes are missing online, copy the text from your desktop app and paste it into Word, Notepad, or WPS Writer temporarily to avoid losing your work.

Force notebook sync

Right-click the notebook name in the OneNote desktop app, select 'Sync', and click 'Sync This Notebook' to retry the connection.

Sync Completion: Once the notebook successfully connects and updates, the crossed-arrows icon will disappear from the notebook name.

Solution 2

Update to OneNote for Windows 11

Understand the different versions of OneNote to ensure you are using the correct and most updated application for your Microsoft 365 business subscription.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Reliable Document Management

If you frequently encounter sync issues with Microsoft Office applications, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for your document, spreadsheet, and presentation needs with robust built-in cloud capabilities.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and click the free download button to get the installer.
2. Install the software: Run the downloaded file and follow the straightforward on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office on your Windows PC.
3. Sign in for Cloud sync: Open WPS Office, sign in to your account, and enable WPS Cloud to automatically back up your documents securely.

Free, lightweight, and fast Office suiteHigh compatibility with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formatsBuilt-in WPS Cloud for reliable automatic saving and document syncingFamiliar user interface for seamless migration and quick adoption

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Will switching to a OneNote Business account affect the security of my notes?

No, it actually enhances security. OneNote Business is included with Microsoft 365 Business subscriptions and leverages your organization's enterprise-grade OneDrive for Business encryption and compliance policies.

Why does my OneNote notebook show a red X instead of crossed arrows?

A red X typically indicates a more severe connection error, an authentication failure, or a corrupted notebook file, whereas crossed arrows usually mean a temporary sync delay or a minor conflict with OneDrive for Business.

Where are OneNote files stored when using a business subscription?

When you sign in with a business account, your notebooks are automatically saved and synced to your organization's SharePoint or OneDrive for Business storage rather than your personal OneDrive.

Document & File Issues