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How to Fix OneNote Sync Error 0xE4020108 on Windows and iOS

Khadija Khan Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are unable to synchronize their OneNote notebooks, receiving error code 0xE4020108 on desktop and mobile applications.

How to Fix OneNote Sync Error 0xE4020108 on Windows and iOS

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: Windows, iOS, iPadOS
Scenario: Attempting to sync notebooks stored in OneDrive across the Windows desktop client, iPad, or iOS apps.
Observed behavior: Notebooks fail to synchronize locally and return error 0xE4020108 for both written notes and inserted images, even though they remain fully accessible via OneNote on the web.

Before you start

Verify that your device has a stable internet connection and log into OneNote for the Web to confirm your latest notes are safely stored in the cloud before attempting to force a local sync.

Solution 1Recommended

Manually Force Sync in the OneNote Desktop App

Since the underlying server issue has been addressed by the OneNote team, manually triggering a sync can resolve the lingering error in your desktop application.

Sometimes the desktop application requires a manual push to re-establish the connection with OneDrive after a server-side interruption.

Option A: Sync via Notebook List

Open the OneNote desktop app, locate the affected notebook in the left-hand panel, right-click on the notebook name, and select 'Sync this notebook now'.

Option B: Sync via File Menu

Navigate to the top ribbon, click on 'File', then 'Info'. Click the 'View Sync Status' button on the right side, and in the dialog box that appears, click 'Sync All'.

Manually Force Sync in the OneNote Desktop App

Synchronization Restored: Once the manual sync completes, the error code should disappear, and your text and inserted images will update correctly.

Solution 2

Use OneNote for the Web Temporarily

If your desktop or mobile apps are still experiencing the error despite the fix, use the web version to maintain workflow continuity.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Choose WPS Office for Reliable Document Management and Syncing

If frequent sync errors in Microsoft Office apps disrupt your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible, lightweight suite for document creation and note-taking with dependable cross-platform cloud synchronization.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the WPS Office application on your computer or mobile device.
2. Activate Cloud Storage: Sign in to your WPS account to unlock your free cloud storage space.
3. Sync Documents Automatically: Create or import your documents; changes will automatically sync across all your connected devices without hassle.

Seamless format compatibility with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files.Reliable built-in WPS Cloud syncing across Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices.Free, lightweight architecture that ensures smooth performance even on older devices.All-in-one workspace to easily manage your notes, documents, and PDFs without switching apps.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why am I getting error code 0xE4020108 in OneNote?

This specific error code typically points to a temporary server-side issue with Microsoft's OneDrive synchronization infrastructure, which prevents local desktop and mobile apps from successfully uploading or downloading changes to the cloud.

Will I lose my un-synced notes when error 0xE4020108 occurs?

No, your un-synced notes remain cached locally on your device. However, you should avoid signing out of your account or uninstalling the OneNote app while the error is active, as doing so will permanently delete those local, un-synced changes.

Why does OneNote for the Web still work when the desktop app fails?

OneNote for the Web interacts directly with the OneDrive servers, bypassing the local synchronization protocols required by desktop and mobile applications. This makes it a reliable fallback when local apps experience sync errors.

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