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Fix Desktop Window Manager Crashes When Using Pen in OneNote
Question details
The Desktop Window Manager crashes repeatedly when attempting to use a digital pen for inking in the OneNote desktop application.
- Product
- Microsoft OneNote
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Drawing, writing, or inking with a digital pen inside the OneNote desktop application.
- Observed behavior
- The Desktop Window Manager (DWM) process crashes, disrupting the system. The issue is specific to the OneNote desktop app and does not occur in OneNote for the web or other Office applications like Word.
Ensure your recent notes are fully synced to OneNote for the web before starting troubleshooting to prevent any data loss during app restarts or system reboots.
Update Windows, Graphics Drivers, and OneNote
Installing the latest system and application updates can resolve underlying rendering bugs and compatibility issues causing the Desktop Window Manager to crash.
Desktop Window Manager (DWM) handles hardware acceleration and visual effects in Windows. Outdated graphics drivers or bugs in a specific OneNote build can cause conflicts during inking.
Press Windows + I to open Settings, navigate to 'Windows Update', and click 'Check for updates'. Install any pending updates and restart your computer.
Right-click the Start button and select 'Device Manager'. Expand 'Display adapters', right-click your graphics card, and select 'Update driver'. Choose 'Search automatically for drivers'.
Open OneNote (or any other Office application like Word). Go to File > Account (or Office Account). Under Product Information, click 'Update Options' and select 'Update Now'.
Use OneNote for the Web as a Temporary Workaround
Since the crash is isolated to the local desktop environment, using the web version allows you to continue taking notes without interruption.
Collect Event Logs and Contact Support
If the issue persists across different Windows user profiles and after updates, it requires backend investigation by Microsoft Support.
Try WPS Office for Stable Document Editing and Inking
If persistent Microsoft Office app crashes are disrupting your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible, lightweight alternative for your daily document, spreadsheet, and presentation needs without straining system resources.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button.
- 2. Install the application: Run the downloaded installer file and follow the quick on-screen instructions.
- 3. Start creating: Open WPS Office to seamlessly view, edit, and annotate your documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Desktop Window Manager crash in OneNote but not in Word?
OneNote and Word use different internal rendering engines for inking and hardware acceleration. A specific graphics driver conflict or a bug in the OneNote build can cause the Desktop Window Manager to crash exclusively when drawing in OneNote.
Will creating a new Windows user profile fix the OneNote pen crash?
If the issue is caused by corrupted user-specific settings, a new profile might fix it. However, if the bug exists at the system or application level across all profiles, creating a new user account will not resolve the crashing.
How do I know what version of OneNote I am using?
Open OneNote, click on 'File', and select 'Account'. Under 'Product Information', you will see the version and build number (e.g., Version 2412, Build 16.0.18324.20092). This information is helpful when submitting a support ticket.
Does disabling hardware graphics acceleration stop the crashes?
Sometimes. You can try going to File > Options > Advanced in OneNote and checking 'Disable hardware graphics acceleration' if the option is available in your version. This shifts the rendering load from the GPU to the CPU, potentially bypassing the crash.
