Sign-in & Login Problems

How to Fix OneNote Keeps Asking for Sign-in and Won't Sync

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is experiencing a continuous sign-in loop in OneNote, preventing successful authentication and notebook synchronization.

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to access or synchronize a OneNote notebook that is stored in SharePoint.
Observed behavior: OneNote repeatedly prompts for sign-in credentials without completing the authentication process, leading to synchronization failure and potential notebook corruption.

Before you start

Ensure your device has a stable internet connection and verify that your Microsoft 365 subscription is active before attempting to troubleshoot synchronization issues.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Access via OneNote on the Web

Check if the notebook is accessible through the web browser to rule out local application issues or file corruption.

If your OneNote desktop application is stuck in a sign-in loop, the issue might be localized to the app cache or a specific corrupted section. Accessing the notebook via the web helps determine the root cause.

Log in to Microsoft 365

Go to the Microsoft 365 portal in your web browser and log in with your account credentials.

Navigate to SharePoint

Open the SharePoint site or OneDrive directory where the specific notebook is stored.

Open in OneNote for the Web

Click on the notebook file to open it directly in OneNote for the Web.

Check for corruption

Verify if the notebook sections load correctly. If an error appears or the content is missing, the notebook section may be corrupted.

Check with Colleagues: If you are part of a team, ask a colleague to try opening the same notebook from their end. If they also cannot access it, the file is likely corrupted on the server.

Solution 2

Contact Microsoft Technical Support

If the notebook is corrupted or the sign-in loop persists on the backend, advanced troubleshooting from Microsoft is required.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Need a Reliable Alternative? Try WPS Office

If Microsoft Office synchronization issues and sign-in loops are slowing you down, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a free, lightweight, and highly compatible Office suite that seamlessly handles your daily document needs.

1. Visit the website: Go to the official WPS Office website.
2. Download the software: Click the 'Download' button to get the free installer for your operating system.
3. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions.
4. Start working: Open WPS Office and instantly start creating or managing your documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats.Free and lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office.Familiar user interface for a seamless transition without a learning curve.Built-in cloud sync features that are easy to configure and manage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneNote keep asking for my password?

This usually happens due to cached credentials conflicting with your current login session, a corrupted notebook section, or backend authentication issues connecting to SharePoint or OneDrive.

How can I fix a corrupted OneNote section?

Try opening the notebook in OneNote for the Web. If it opens successfully, create a new section, copy the contents over, and sync it. If it fails to open on the web, the corruption might require Microsoft backend support to resolve.

Can I access my SharePoint OneNote notebook without the desktop app?

Yes, you can access your notebook directly through your web browser by navigating to your SharePoint site and clicking on the notebook file to open it in OneNote for the Web.

Login & Account Issues