Sign-in & Login Problems

Fix Cannot Sign In to Microsoft OneNote on Windows Desktop

Maira Mehtab Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to sign in to the Microsoft OneNote desktop application on Windows, encountering recurring account errors.

Fix Cannot Sign In to Microsoft OneNote on Windows Desktop

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Attempting to log into the OneNote desktop application on a Windows computer.
Observed behavior: OneNote works normally in the web browser and mobile app, but the Windows desktop version repeatedly displays an account error after sign-in attempts, even after reinstalling and removing basic data.

Before you start

Ensure you have administrator privileges on your Windows PC and completely close all running Microsoft Office applications before making modifications to system folders or the registry.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear OneAuth, IdentityCache Folders, and Office Registry Keys

Resolve corrupted login credentials by clearing Microsoft's local authentication cache and resetting the Office identity registry.

Corrupted authentication tokens in your local app data or registry are a common cause of recurring login errors across Microsoft Office applications, including OneNote.

Access the Local AppData folder

Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box, type '%localappdata%\Microsoft', and press Enter.

Delete cached credential folders

Locate the folders named 'OneAuth' and 'IdentityCache'. Right-click and delete both of these folders.

Open Registry Editor

Press Windows Key + R again, type 'regedit', and press Enter to launch the Registry Editor.

Delete the Office Identity key

Navigate to the path 'HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\Identity'. Right-click the 'Identity' folder and select Delete.

Restart and sign in

Restart your computer, launch Microsoft OneNote, and try signing into your account again.

Clear OneAuth, IdentityCache Folders, and Office Registry Keys

Important Backup Warning: Always back up the registry before deleting any keys. You can do this by clicking File > Export in the Registry Editor before making changes.

Solution 2

Perform a Clean Uninstall and Reinstall of Microsoft 365

If clearing the credential cache doesn't work, completely removing and reinstalling the Office suite can fix deep-rooted application corruption causing sign-in errors.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office for Highly Compatible Document Management

If Microsoft OneNote and Office applications continue to experience persistent sign-in errors on Windows, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, free alternative to the Microsoft Office suite, allowing you to manage your documents without complex background authentication problems.

1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer and follow the quick setup wizard to install the software on your Windows PC.
3. Start working immediately: Open WPS Office and instantly start creating or editing your documents without dealing with recurring sign-in prompts.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Lightweight architecture that avoids heavy background authentication services.Free to use with a familiar, tabbed user interface for easy migration.Built-in PDF editing tools for streamlined document management.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneNote work on my phone but not on my Windows PC?

The Windows desktop version relies on local cached credentials (such as the OneAuth and IdentityCache folders) and system registry entries that can become corrupted over time. The mobile app and web version use separate, independent authentication tokens.

Will deleting the Identity registry key delete my OneNote notebooks?

No, deleting the Identity registry key only clears your local login credentials. Your notebooks are safely stored in OneDrive or SharePoint and will sync again once you successfully sign back into the application.

How do I roll back Office to an earlier version if the sign-in issue persists?

Rolling back Office requires using the Office Deployment Tool or utilizing specific command-line scripts provided by Microsoft Support to revert your installation to a previous build number, prior to the update that initiated the sign-in issues.

Login & Account Issues