How to Fix Missing Fonts in OneNote on Windows 10 and 11
Question details
The user is unable to access certain fonts in OneNote that are otherwise available in other Office applications.
- Product
- Microsoft OneNote
- Device & OS
- Windows 11 / Windows 10
- Scenario
- Setting up a new laptop and trying to use specific fonts for notes in the OneNote application.
- Observed behavior
- Fonts that are installed and working properly in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook are completely missing from the font dropdown list in OneNote.
Ensure your computer is connected to the internet to download any necessary updates, and verify that your OneNote notebooks are fully synced to OneDrive to prevent accidental data loss during troubleshooting.
Update OneNote via Microsoft Store and Install Windows Updates
Keeping the OneNote app and your Windows operating system fully updated ensures maximum compatibility and can resolve bugs preventing fonts from loading.
The OneNote app for Windows 10/11 receives regular updates through the Microsoft Store. Missing font issues are often patched in these routine updates.
Click the Start button, type 'Microsoft Store', and press Enter to open the store application.
Click the 'Library' icon in the bottom-left corner, then click the 'Get updates' button. If a OneNote update is available, it will download and install automatically.
Go to Windows Settings > Windows Update (or Update & Security), click 'Check for updates', and install all pending system updates.
Reset the OneNote Application
Resetting the application clears corrupted cached data and settings that might be causing the fonts to disappear from the menu.
Install the Desktop Version of OneNote (OneNote 2016)
The classic desktop version of OneNote provides additional features and better handles locally installed system fonts compared to the modern Windows 10/11 app.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Document and Note Management
If you frequently encounter font compatibility issues or application glitches in Microsoft Office, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a powerful, free, and highly compatible Office suite that perfectly renders your local fonts across all document types.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for Windows.
- 2. Install the software: Run the downloaded setup file and follow the quick on-screen instructions to install the suite.
- 3. Start creating: Open WPS Writer to draft documents and take notes with full access to your entire system font library.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do fonts show up in Word but not in the OneNote for Windows 10 app?
The OneNote for Windows 10 app is built as a Universal Windows Platform (UWP) application. UWP apps manage system resources differently and may restrict access to certain user-installed fonts, whereas desktop apps like Word and Excel can access all fonts installed on the OS.
Will resetting OneNote delete all of my notebooks?
Resetting the application will clear local app data and cached preferences. As long as your notebooks are successfully synced to your OneDrive account beforehand, your notes are safe in the cloud and will automatically download when you sign back into the app.
How do I install custom fonts so they work in all Windows apps?
To ensure custom fonts are available system-wide, right-click the downloaded font file (.ttf or .otf) and select 'Install for all users' rather than just 'Install'. This places the font in the root Windows Fonts directory, improving visibility for UWP apps.
