Fix OneNote Audio Recording Will Not Play Back on Windows
Question details
Users are unable to play back audio recordings within the OneNote desktop applications, despite the recordings working correctly on other devices.
- Product
- Microsoft OneNote
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- Attempting to listen to an embedded audio recording previously captured in a OneNote notebook.
- Observed behavior
- The audio file records successfully and plays on OneNote for the web or iOS, but refuses to play back in OneNote for Windows 10 or OneNote 2016.
Verify that your computer's speakers are unmuted and functioning properly by playing audio in another application, and ensure your notebooks are fully synced to OneDrive before performing any app resets.
Repair or Reset OneNote for Windows 10
Using the advanced app settings in Windows 10 to repair or reset the OneNote application can resolve local playback glitches without permanently affecting synced data.
If the audio plays successfully on the web or mobile versions of OneNote, the recording itself is intact. The issue is likely isolated to the local installation of your Windows 10 app. Windows includes built-in tools to repair corrupted app files or clear out problematic cache data without requiring a full reinstallation.
Click the Start menu and select the gear icon, or press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to open the Windows Settings menu. Then, click on 'Apps'.
In the 'Apps & features' section, scroll down the list of installed applications until you find 'OneNote for Windows 10'. Click on it, and then click the 'Advanced options' link that appears.
Scroll down to the Reset section and click the 'Repair' button. Windows will attempt to fix the app without deleting any of your data. Once the checkmark appears, reopen OneNote and try playing the audio again.
If repairing the app does not resolve the playback issue, return to the Advanced options menu and click the 'Reset' button. Note that this will clear local app data, so ensure your notebooks were recently synced to the cloud before proceeding.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my OneNote audio recording play on my iPhone but not my PC?
This behavior indicates that the audio file was successfully recorded and synced to the cloud, confirming the file is not corrupted. The issue is isolated to a local playback, cache, or audio routing error specifically within your Windows application.
Will resetting OneNote delete my existing notebooks?
Resetting the app only clears the local cache and configuration settings on your device. As long as your notebooks are fully synced to your Microsoft account (OneDrive) prior to resetting, they will safely re-download the next time you sign into the app.
What should I do if OneNote 2016 audio playback fails?
For OneNote 2016 users, the Windows 10 App settings will not work. Instead, try performing an 'Online Repair' of your entire Microsoft Office suite. Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features, select Microsoft Office from the list, click 'Change', and choose the 'Online Repair' option.
