How to Fix OneNote for Mac Crashing with an EXC_CRASH Error
Question details
The user needs to resolve an issue where OneNote for Mac continuously crashes and displays an error report after a software update.
- Product
- OneNote for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Opening or actively working in OneNote for Mac following a recent Microsoft Office update.
- Observed behavior
- The application suddenly crashes, warning that recent work might be lost. The crash report specifically shows an EXC_CRASH (SIGABRT) exception and identifies Microsoft Error Reporting as the crashed module.
Verify that your notes are safely synced to the cloud by logging into OneNote for the web before making system changes, and ensure your macOS version is up to date.
Reset the OneNote Container Folder
Clearing the cached container folder forces macOS to rebuild the application cache, resolving corruption caused by recent updates.
macOS stores application caches and settings in a hidden Library folder. Moving this folder allows the app to generate a fresh, error-free directory upon startup.
Ensure OneNote is completely closed. If it is frozen, press Option + Command + Esc to force quit the application.
Open Finder, click the 'Go' menu at the top of the screen, hold down the 'Option' key to reveal the hidden 'Library' option, and click it.
Navigate to the 'Containers' folder. Look for a folder named 'com.microsoft.onenote.mac' or 'Microsoft OneNote'. Drag this folder to your Mac's Desktop.
Open OneNote again. If the app opens and stabilizes without the EXC_CRASH error, the issue is resolved.
Boot Mac in Safe Mode and Disable Add-ins
Safe Mode clears system caches and disables background software that might be conflicting with Microsoft Office.
Run Disk Utility First Aid
Use macOS's built-in tool to repair underlying file system errors that could be forcing the application to abort.
Experience Stable Document Creation with WPS Office for Mac
If you are tired of Microsoft Office apps continually crashing with EXC_CRASH and SIGABRT errors on your Mac, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a highly stable, lightweight alternative that handles your essential productivity tasks seamlessly.
- 1. Download for Mac: Visit the official WPS website and download the macOS version of WPS Office.
- 2. Install the Suite: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents without losing any formatting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did OneNote start crashing after the latest Office update?
Updates can sometimes introduce conflicts with existing macOS system caches, corrupted container configuration files, or outdated third-party add-ins, forcing the system to trigger a SIGABRT exception.
Will I lose my notes if I reset the container folder?
Generally, no. Your notebooks synced to OneDrive will automatically re-download once you log back in. However, any recent offline changes that had not yet synced may be temporarily missing unless recovered from the original container folder.
What does the EXC_CRASH (SIGABRT) error mean on Mac?
This is a system-level error indicating that the macOS operating system forcibly terminated the application because the app detected an internal inconsistency or an unrecoverable critical error.
How can I access my notes while fixing the desktop app?
You can temporarily access all your synced notebooks by logging into OneNote for the web through any internet browser using your Microsoft account.
