Office Apps Crashing

Fix OneNote Desktop Crashing When Saving a New Template

Aamir Naveed Akram Oct 12, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where the OneNote desktop application abruptly closes and restarts instead of successfully saving a newly created page template.

How to Fix OneNote Desktop Crashing When Saving a New Template

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: Windows 11
Scenario: Attempting to create and save a custom page template for future notes within the desktop application.
Observed behavior: The application unexpectedly crashes, restarts automatically, and fails to save the new template.

Before you start

Before making changes to your application settings, verify that your notebook is fully synchronized to the cloud and that you have the correct edit permissions for the current notebook to prevent any data loss.

Solution 1Recommended

Repair or Reset the OneNote Application

Use the built-in Windows repair tool to fix underlying corruption in the OneNote app installation without requiring a full reinstall.

Windows 11 includes built-in troubleshooting options for installed applications. The Repair option attempts to fix corrupted files without affecting your data, while the Reset option clears local app data completely.

Open Windows Settings

Press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to open Windows Settings, then click on 'Apps' from the left sidebar.

Locate OneNote

Click on 'Installed apps', scroll down the list or use the search bar to find 'OneNote', and click the three dots (...) next to it.

Access Advanced Options

Select 'Advanced options' from the context menu that appears.

Repair and Reset

Scroll down and click the 'Repair' button first. Test if you can save a template. If the app still crashes, return to this menu and click 'Reset' (ensure your notes are fully backed up first).

Data Backup Warning: Using the 'Reset' function will delete local application data. Make sure all your notebooks are synced to OneDrive or backed up locally before proceeding.

Solution 2

Test Template Creation in a Different Notebook

Determine if the crash is caused by synchronization issues or corruption within a specific notebook rather than the application itself.

Solution 3

Update Windows and Microsoft 365

Outdated software or known bugs can cause application instability, which is often patched in newer updates.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience a More Stable Office Suite with WPS Office

If Microsoft Office applications are frequently crashing and disrupting your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, free, and highly stable workspace with robust tools for document creation, spreadsheets, presentations, and PDFs.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your PC.
2. Install the Software: Follow the on-screen instructions to quickly install the lightweight suite.
3. Enjoy a Stable Workflow: Open WPS Office and start creating, editing, and saving your documents without worrying about unexpected application crashes.

Seamlessly compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formatsLightweight architecture that minimizes crashes and system resource usageFree all-in-one workspace featuring a clean, familiar tabbed interface

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Does repairing OneNote through Windows Settings delete my notes?

No, using the 'Repair' option does not delete your app data or notes. However, using the 'Reset' option will delete local app data, so you must ensure all your notebooks are fully synced to OneDrive or backed up locally before resetting.

Why does OneNote only crash when saving page templates?

This specific crash is often triggered by corrupted local template configuration files or a synchronization conflict where OneNote lacks the correct permissions to write the new template data to the designated notebook section.

Where are OneNote custom templates saved on my computer?

By default, custom page templates in the OneNote desktop application are saved in the 'My Templates' section, which is typically stored locally at C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates.

How can I manually back up my OneNote notebooks before troubleshooting?

In the OneNote desktop app, go to File > Options > Save & Backup. Under the 'Backup' section, click 'Back Up All Notebooks Now' to create a secure local copy of your data before performing any app resets.

Office App Problems