Office Apps Crashing

Fix OneNote 2013 Crashing During Synchronization on Windows 11

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where OneNote 2013 crashes specifically when notebooks attempt to synchronize following a Windows 11 system update.

Product: Microsoft OneNote 2013
Device & OS: Windows 11
Scenario: Synchronizing notebooks to the cloud after installing a Windows update.
Observed behavior: The OneNote application crashes and closes unexpectedly as soon as the notebook synchronization process begins.

Before you start

Do not sign out of your Microsoft account, close your notebooks, or uninstall OneNote, as these actions will permanently erase any notes that have not yet been synchronized to the cloud.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Network Connection and Cloud Service Status

Check your internet stability and ensure that Microsoft's cloud services are not experiencing an outage that could interrupt the sync process.

Synchronization crashes can occur if OneNote is trying to connect to a server that is unreachable. Verifying the health of your network and Microsoft's servers is the safest first step.

Check Windows Network Settings

Click the network icon on your Windows 11 taskbar to confirm you are connected to a stable Wi-Fi or Ethernet network.

Record the Crash Error Message

Open OneNote 2013 and carefully note any specific error code (such as 0xE000002E) that appears right before or after the application crashes.

Verify OneDrive and SharePoint Status

Open your web browser and visit the official Microsoft Service Health portal to check if OneDrive or SharePoint Online is currently experiencing degraded performance or outages.

Backup Offline Data: If you can open OneNote quickly before it crashes, try disconnecting your internet first. Once offline, manually copy any unsynced text to a local Word document or Notepad.

Solution 2

Apply Official Microsoft Sync Troubleshooting

Utilize Microsoft's recommended steps for identifying and resolving specific notebook synchronization errors.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Upgrade Your Workflow with WPS Office

If legacy software like Office 2013 continues to cause compatibility crashes on modern operating systems like Windows 11, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a modern, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative that offers seamless document editing and built-in cloud syncing.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for Windows 11.
2. Install and Open: Run the installer, open WPS Office, and directly open your existing .docx, .xlsx, or .pptx files.
3. Enable Secure Sync: Log in to your WPS account to turn on automatic cloud saving, ensuring you never lose your progress.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats.Lightweight architecture ensures stable performance on Windows 11 without unexpected crashes.Built-in, reliable cloud synchronization to keep your documents safe across all devices.All-in-one suite that combines documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and PDFs in a single tabbed interface.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneNote 2013 crash specifically after a Windows 11 update?

Windows 11 updates can introduce compatibility issues with older legacy software like OneNote 2013. These system changes can disrupt the background network protocols OneNote uses to synchronize with the cloud, leading to application crashes.

Will reinstalling OneNote fix my sync crashing issue?

You should not uninstall or reinstall OneNote 2013 if you have unsynchronized notes. Reinstalling the application will wipe its local cache, permanently deleting any data that hasn't successfully uploaded to OneDrive or SharePoint.

How can I secure my unsynced notes if the app keeps closing?

Disconnect your computer from the internet (turn off Wi-Fi or unplug your Ethernet cable) and then open OneNote. Because it cannot attempt to sync, the crash may be prevented, allowing you to manually copy and paste your unsynced notes into another program.

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