OneDrive File Issues

Fix OneNote Notebook Missing from OneDrive After Username Change

Partner Editor Sep 25, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user's OneNote notebook disappeared from OneDrive locally and online after a username change, and synchronization has stopped.

How to Fix OneNote Notebook Missing from OneDrive After Username Change

Product: Microsoft OneNote and OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: A Microsoft 365 user name change caused the OneDrive folder path to change, leading to missing OneNote files.
Observed behavior: The notebook is missing from OneDrive but can still be temporarily opened in the OneNote app without syncing capabilities.

Before you start

Ensure you have administrator access to the Microsoft 365 environment or contact your IT admin, as backend investigation may be required to trace the changed folder path.

Solution 1Recommended

Check Recycle Bins and OneNote for the Web

Use this solution to verify if the notebook was accidentally deleted or moved during the username change and folder path update.

When a username changes, the associated OneDrive URL and local folder paths are updated. This can sometimes cause files to be misplaced or moved to a recycle bin. Checking both local and online locations is the first step to recovery.

Check Local Recycle Bin

Open the Recycle Bin on the user's desktop to see if the OneNote file was inadvertently deleted during the synchronization path change.

Check OneDrive Online Recycle Bin

Log in to OneDrive for the web, click on the 'Recycle bin' tab in the left navigation pane, and search for the missing notebook.

Access OneNote for the Web

Open OneNote for the web and check the 'Recent' or 'My Notebooks' sections to see if the notebook is still accessible via the cloud interface.

Check Recycle Bins and OneNote for the Web

Preserve Unsynced Data: If the notebook is still open and accessible in the local OneNote app, manually copy the sections into a new local notebook or export it as a backup before closing the app to prevent permanent data loss.

Solution 2

Contact Microsoft Support for Backend Recovery

If the notebook is completely missing from all user-accessible locations, the Microsoft 365 administrator must escalate the issue.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my OneNote notebook stop syncing after a username change?

A username change in Microsoft 365 typically alters the user's SharePoint and OneDrive folder paths. This breaks the synchronization link between the locally cached OneNote app and the cloud file, preventing updates from syncing.

Can I backup an unsynced notebook that is still open in OneNote?

Yes. If the notebook is still open in your OneNote desktop app, do not close it. You can either use the 'Export' feature in the File menu to save a local copy, or create a brand-new notebook and manually copy your sections over to secure the data.

How long are deleted files kept in the OneDrive recycle bin?

For Microsoft 365 work or school accounts, items in the OneDrive recycle bin are generally kept for 93 days before being permanently deleted. For personal Microsoft accounts, they are usually kept for 30 days.

Document & File Issues