Office Apps Crashing

How to Fix OneNote Crashing When Using Surface Slim Pen 2

Natalie Taylor Oct 23, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where OneNote for Microsoft 365 stops responding or crashes when handwriting with a Surface Slim Pen 2.

How to Fix OneNote Crashing When Using Surface Slim Pen 2

Product: OneNote for Microsoft 365
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Handwriting or drawing in OneNote using the Surface Slim Pen 2.
Observed behavior: The application freezes and requires a force close when using the pen, even though finger, mouse, and other applications function normally.

Before you start

Ensure your Windows operating system, Surface firmware, and Microsoft 365 applications are fully updated to their latest versions, as outdated drivers frequently cause pen input conflicts.

Solution 1Recommended

Disable Hardware Graphics Acceleration

Turning off hardware graphics acceleration can resolve rendering conflicts between the Surface Slim Pen 2 and OneNote.

OneNote sometimes struggles to render pen strokes if there is a conflict with the device's graphics driver. Disabling hardware acceleration forces the CPU to handle rendering, which can bypass the crash.

Open OneNote Options

Launch OneNote for Microsoft 365. Click on 'File' in the top-left corner, then select 'Options' at the bottom of the menu.

Navigate to Advanced Settings

In the OneNote Options dialog box, click on the 'Advanced' tab on the left sidebar.

Disable Acceleration

Scroll down to the 'Display' section. Check the box next to 'Disable hardware graphics acceleration', click 'OK', and restart OneNote.

Option Availability: In some newer builds of Microsoft 365, the hardware graphics acceleration toggle may have been removed. If you do not see this option, proceed to the next solution.

Solution 2

Disable Add-ins and Test a New Notebook

Isolate the issue by checking for corrupted notebook files or conflicting third-party COM add-ins.

Solution 3

Switch to OneNote for Windows 10

If the Microsoft 365 desktop version continues to crash, OneNote for Windows 10 serves as a stable, lightweight alternative that handles pen input reliably.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Looking for a Stable Office Suite? Try WPS Office

If Microsoft 365 apps continue to crash or experience input conflicts, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative that offers seamless document editing, smooth PDF stylus annotation, and a familiar interface without heavy system resource usage.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for Windows.
2. Install and Launch: Run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts. Launch the application once the installation is complete.
3. Open Your Files: Wps Office will automatically recognize your existing Microsoft Office files. Double-click any document to start editing smoothly.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)Lightweight architecture reduces the risk of application crashes and freezingBuilt-in PDF reader with excellent, lag-free stylus annotation supportFamiliar user interface makes transitioning from Microsoft Office effortless

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneNote crash only with the Surface Pen and not my mouse?

The Surface Slim Pen 2 utilizes distinct digitizer drivers and Windows Ink protocols for pressure sensitivity and tilt. Rendering these complex inputs can sometimes cause software conflicts or memory leaks in the Microsoft 365 version of OneNote, which standard mouse or touch inputs bypass.

Will repairing Microsoft Office fix the OneNote crashing issue?

Repairing Office can fix corrupted application files. You can try this by going to Windows Settings > Apps > Installed apps, finding Microsoft 365, clicking the three dots, and selecting 'Modify' > 'Online Repair'. However, if the crash is caused by a specific pen driver bug, repair alone might not resolve it.

How do I update my Surface Slim Pen 2 firmware?

Surface pen firmware updates are delivered automatically through Windows Update. To ensure your pen is up to date, place it in its charging base or attach it to your Surface device, then go to Windows Settings > Windows Update and click 'Check for updates'.

Office App Problems