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How to Fix OneNote for Mac Crashing and Failing to Open
Question details
The user needs to troubleshoot and resolve an issue where OneNote for Mac unexpectedly quits with an EXC_CRASH error or fails to launch.
- Product
- Microsoft OneNote
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Attempting to launch and use OneNote for Mac
- Observed behavior
- The OneNote application crashes unexpectedly, frequently displaying an EXC_CRASH error, or fails to open altogether.
Before proceeding, log into OneNote for the web to ensure your notebooks are properly synced and accessible. It is also highly recommended to back up your Mac using Time Machine to prevent accidental data loss during troubleshooting.
Reset OneNote Containers and Office Identities
Clearing corrupted container files and resetting Office identities in Keychain Access is the most effective way to resolve persistent crash loops in OneNote for Mac.
Corrupted cache files or outdated authentication tokens can cause OneNote to crash upon launch. Removing these specific system files forces OneNote to recreate fresh configuration data.
Ensure that OneNote, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook are completely closed on your Mac.
Open Finder, select 'Go' > 'Go to Folder' from the top menu bar (or press Shift+Command+G). Type ~/Library/Containers and press Return. Locate the 'Microsoft OneNote' folder and move it to the Trash.
Navigate to ~/Library/Group Containers. Find the following three folders: UBF8T346G9.ms, UBF8T346G9.Office, and UBF8T346G9.OfficeOsfWebHost. Move all three to the Trash.
Open 'Keychain Access' from Spotlight Search. Search for 'adal' and delete any items named MicrosoftOffice15_2_Data:ADAL:<GUID>. Next, search for 'office' and delete 'Microsoft Office Identities Cache 3' and 'Microsoft Office Identities Settings 3'.
Quit Keychain Access, restart your Mac, and launch OneNote with all other background applications temporarily closed to test if the issue is resolved.
Test OneNote on a New macOS User Profile
If OneNote continues to crash, creating a new macOS user profile helps determine if the issue is caused by your current profile's corrupted settings or background services.
Try WPS Office for a Stable Document Experience on Mac
If Microsoft Office applications continue to crash or display errors on your Mac, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly stable, and completely free alternative for handling all your word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation tasks.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the macOS version.
- 2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded installation file and drag WPS Office to your Applications folder.
- 3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your existing Microsoft Office documents without format changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does OneNote keep crashing with an EXC_CRASH error on Mac?
An EXC_CRASH error typically occurs due to corrupted application cache files, outdated software, corrupted macOS user permissions, or conflicts with login credentials stored in Keychain Access.
Will deleting OneNote container files delete my notes?
No, deleting the local container files will not delete your notes as long as they have been successfully synchronized to OneNote for the web. Always verify your notes are visible online before clearing local data.
How do I access the hidden Library folder on my Mac?
To access the hidden Library folder, open Finder, click on 'Go' in the top menu bar, and hold down the Option key. The 'Library' option will appear in the dropdown. Alternatively, use the shortcut Shift+Command+G and type ~/Library.
