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Fix OneNote Cursor Stuck in Drawing Mode in Teams on Linux
Question details
The user is unable to use mouse selection because the cursor is locked in drawing mode in OneNote embedded in Teams.
- Product
- Microsoft OneNote and Teams
- Device & OS
- Linux (Chromium Browser)
- Scenario
- Attempting to select text or interact with notes using a mouse in OneNote via the Microsoft Teams web interface.
- Observed behavior
- The cursor remains in drawing mode and draws on the screen instead of selecting text, despite the toolbar indicating typing mode is active. Typing works, but mouse selection does not.
Ensure your Chromium browser is updated to the latest version on your Linux distribution, and save or sync any ongoing work in Teams before clearing browser data.
Clear Chromium Cache and Cookies
Clearing the browser cache resolves temporary glitches and corrupted site data causing the cursor to freeze in drawing mode.
Since the issue is isolated to the Chromium browser, old cache or corrupted cookies related to Microsoft Teams and OneNote Web might be forcing the input method into drawing mode.
Click the three vertical dots in the top-right corner of the Chromium browser and select 'Settings'.
Click on 'Privacy and security' on the left sidebar, then select 'Clear browsing data'.
Check the boxes for 'Cookies and other site data' and 'Cached images and files', then click 'Clear data'.
Close all Chromium windows, restart the browser, log back into Microsoft Teams, and test the OneNote tab.
Use Mozilla Firefox as a Temporary Workaround
Switching to a different supported browser bypasses the Chromium-specific rendering bug.
Open OneNote in a Dedicated Tab
Bypassing the Microsoft Teams iframe embed can restore proper toolbar and input functionality.
Try WPS Office for Native Linux Document Editing
If you are frustrated by browser compatibility issues and web embeds on Linux, WPS Office provides a stable, native desktop application. It offers full offline capabilities without relying on web browsers, ensuring your formatting and input tools work perfectly every time.
- 1. Download the Linux Package: Visit the WPS Office official website and download the appropriate native package (.deb or .rpm) for your Linux distribution.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the package installer or use your terminal to complete the installation.
- 3. Edit Seamlessly: Open WPS Office and start creating, editing, and saving your documents with perfect formatting and hardware compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my OneNote cursor stuck on drawing mode in Teams on Linux?
This is typically caused by a rendering glitch or cached data conflict within Chromium-based browsers on Linux when handling the Microsoft Teams embedded iframe. It prevents the browser from properly registering the switch back to typing mode.
How do I force OneNote back to text mode?
Navigate to the 'Draw' tab on the OneNote ribbon and click the 'Type' icon, which looks like a cursor or text bar. If this button is unresponsive in Teams, open the notebook in a dedicated browser tab.
Can I use a native Microsoft Teams app on Linux to avoid browser bugs?
Microsoft has discontinued the native Teams desktop client for Linux, replacing it with a Progressive Web App (PWA). Therefore, users must rely on web browsers like Edge, Chrome, Chromium, or Firefox, which makes browser troubleshooting essential.
