What’s causing the ‘Onenote needs a password to sync this notebook’ error?
Method 1: Re-Sign with your OneNote account
As it turns out, in most cases, the ‘Onenote needs a password to sync this notebook’ will occur due to a generic glitch that can be easily resolved by logging out and back into the OneNote application. In most cases, this issue has started occurring after a major Windows 10 update was installed. But keep in mind that this method should be regarded as as a workaround rather than a proper fix since it doesn’t fix the underlying problem that created the error message in the first place. Furthermore, some users have reported that the issue returned a couple of days after the fix was originally applied. Here’s a quick guide on re-signing with your OneNote account in order to fix the ‘Onenote needs a password to sync this notebook’ error: In case this hasn’t resolved anything and the syncing feature still doesn’t work, move down to the next potential fix below.
Method 2: Removing account via Credential Manager
Another situation in which this problem will persist even after you try to sign out conventionally is a scenario in which Windows Credentials holds corrupted data that is causing issues with your Microsoft account. In this case, chances are you will experience similar issues with other Office apps other than OneNote. If this scenario is applicable, you can fix this problem by using the classic Control Panel interface to access the Credentials Manager and remove any Generic Credentials belonging to your Microsoft Account. Here’s a quick guide on how to do this:
Method 3: Adding a Sharepoint URL to Trusted Sites (if applicable)
If you are encountering the ‘Onenote needs a password to sync this notebook’ error with notebooks hosted on an on-premise SharePoint site, it’s possible like that besides this issue, you will still be queried to complete the Sharepoint login every time you try to open OneNote. In this case, the only viable fix is to open the Internet Options window and add the Sharepoint URL to the list of Trusted Sites. This operation will allow the machine to pass right through, eliminating the repeating password query and the ‘Onenote needs a password to sync this notebook‘ error. Here’s a quick guide on how to do this: Note: The operation will work on every recent Windows version (Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10). If the same ‘Onenote needs a password to sync this notebook’ error is still occurring when you launch OneNote, move down to the next method below.
Method 4: Disabling VPN / Proxy Server (if applicable)
As it’s been already confirmed by several affected users, Windows doesn’t like authentication over a private internet connection. This is a wider issue that will affect every Office application (not just OneNote). If you’re using a VPN or proxy solution, chances are it conflicts with the Windows authentication client, which forces the app to throw the ‘Onenote needs a password to sync this notebook’ error. In case this scenario is applicable to your current situation, you will not be able to resolve the issue unless you disable, change or uninstall the VPN client or Proxy server that you’re using. This doesn’t mean that you need to get rid of it completely, but you need to at least utilize alternatives. Several affected users have confirmed that they managed to fix the issue after disabling their Proxy or VPN client and restarting their computer. As soon as they did this, the ‘Onenote needs a password to sync this notebook’ error stopped occurring. To help you with this, we’ve created two separate guides – One for uninstalling a VPN client and one for disabling a Proxy server. Feel free to follow the one applicable to your current situation.
Uninstalling a VPN Client
If this method wasn’t applicable or it didn’t allow to fix the problem, start with the next guide below.
Method 5: Repairing the Office Installation
If none of the methods above has allowed you to resolve the issue, chances are you’re actually dealing with some kind of corruption problem that originates from your Office installation. In case this scenario is applicable, you can most likely resolve the issue by following a series of instructions that will repair your Office installation and fix the ‘Onenote needs a password to sync this notebook’ error. Several affected users have confirmed that the issue was resolved after they did this. Here’s what you need to do to repair your Office installation:
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