File Corruption & Recovery

How to Fix a OneNote Notebook That Will Not Open or Sync

Maira Mehtab Oct 9, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where a specific OneNote notebook fails to open or sync, often displaying error 0xE00009C8 or showing misplaced sections.

How to Fix a OneNote Notebook That Will Not Open or Sync

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to access or synchronize a notebook after a computer reformat or sudden system change.
Observed behavior: Specific notebooks fail to sync while others work normally, accompanied by error 0xE00009C8 and misplaced sections indicating potential file corruption.

Before you start

Verify your internet connection and check if you can access the notebook via OneNote for the Web. Do not sign out of your account or close the affected notebook yet, as this can permanently delete unsynced local changes.

Solution 1Recommended

Create a New Notebook and Migrate Content

Bypassing the corrupted notebook by moving your data to a fresh, healthy notebook is the safest way to restore synchronization and prevent data loss.

When a notebook becomes corrupted and displays error 0xE00009C8, its internal synchronization link to the cloud is broken. Instead of attempting complex repairs on the broken file, manually transferring the content to a new notebook ensures your notes are safely backed up and synced again.

Create a new notebook

Open OneNote, click on 'File', select 'New', and create a brand-new notebook on your OneDrive or preferred cloud storage location.

Copy sections manually

Navigate to the corrupted notebook. Right-click on the sections or pages that are failing to sync, select 'Move or Copy', and choose the newly created notebook as the destination. Always select 'Copy' instead of 'Move' to maintain a local backup.

Verify synchronization

Open the new notebook and press Shift + F9 (or right-click the notebook name and select 'Sync This Notebook'). Watch the sync status to ensure all copied sections upload correctly to the cloud.

Close the corrupted notebook

Once you have absolutely confirmed that all your data is safely synchronized and visible in OneNote for the Web within the new notebook, you can safely right-click the original corrupted notebook and select 'Close This Notebook'.

Create a New Notebook and Migrate Content

Handling Misplaced Sections: If you see a 'Misplaced Sections' tab at the bottom of your section list, copy these pages to your new notebook immediately. They represent changes that could not be synced and will be lost if you close the app.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for Reliable Document Management

If you are tired of dealing with complex synchronization errors and corrupted files in Microsoft Office, try WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible suite for your documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, complete with built-in cloud backup to keep your files safe.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button.
2. Install the application: Run the downloaded installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up the software on your device.
3. Create and sync documents: Sign in to activate WPS Cloud, then start creating, editing, and syncing your files safely without worrying about local cache corruption.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats.Built-in WPS Cloud ensures your documents are automatically saved and synced seamlessly across all devices.Lightweight software that consumes minimal system resources and prevents freezing.Familiar user interface makes migration easy with no learning curve.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does OneNote error 0xE00009C8 mean?

This error typically indicates that your notebook file is corrupted or that there is an unrecoverable synchronization conflict between the local cache on your computer and the cloud server.

Will I lose my notes if I force close a notebook that won't sync?

Yes. Closing a notebook or signing out of your account while sections are unsynced (or residing in the Misplaced Sections folder) will permanently delete those unsynced local changes. Always copy them to a new notebook first.

Why are only some notebooks failing to sync after a computer reformat?

Reformatting a computer can disrupt the local application cache. If a specific notebook was partially synced or its cache was damaged during the transition, it will fail to authenticate or sync correctly, whereas fully cloud-backed notebooks usually reconnect without issue.

Document & File Issues