Fix: “We Were Unable to Create Your Notebook” Error in OneNote

When creating a new notebook, OneNote may display the error message “We were unable to create your notebook”. This typically occurs when the app fails to properly sync or connect with your OneDrive cloud. The issue is often caused by corrupted application files, incorrectly configured settings, or outdated credentials that block proper authentication. When this happens, OneNote may repeatedly try to sign in with the wrong details, which leads to the error.

The good news is that this problem is common and solvable. Follow the solutions below step by step to restore your ability to create notebooks in OneNote.

Before you begin: Make sure your internet connection is stable. A weak or intermittent connection can interrupt syncing and trigger the same error message.

1. Repair OneNote

Temporary cache files or corrupted settings can make OneNote unstable and disrupt its syncing. Using the built-in Repair tool can refresh the app’s core files without deleting your notes. This is often the quickest way to fix notebook creation issues.

1. Open Settings on your device.
2. Select Apps from the sidebar.
3. Click Installed Apps.
4. Find OneNote, click the three dots, and choose Advanced Options.
   
5. Scroll down and select the Repair button.
6. Wait for the repair process to complete.
   
7. Once finished, open OneNote again.
8. Sign in and try creating a new notebook.

2. Remove Outdated OneNote (2016) Windows Credentials

For those using the 2016 version of OneNote, Windows stores sign-in credentials in the Credential Manager. Over time, if your password or account information changes, these saved credentials may become outdated. When OneNote tries to use the old credentials, authentication fails, leading to the notebook creation error. Removing these outdated entries forces OneNote to reauthenticate with your current credentials.

1. Open Credential Manager from the Windows search bar.
   
2. Select Windows Credentials.
3. Locate Generic Credentials and find the entry named MicrosoftOffice16_Data***.
4. Expand the entry and click Remove.
   
5. Confirm the removal when prompted.
6. Restart OneNote, sign in again with your updated password, and try creating a notebook.

3. Create a Notebook via OneNote for Web

OneNote notebooks are stored in OneDrive. Sometimes, the desktop app fails to properly sync with OneDrive during notebook creation, which triggers this error. An effective workaround is to create the notebook directly through OneNote’s web version. Once the notebook is created online, the desktop app can easily access it.

1. Visit the official OneNote website.
2. Sign in with the same Microsoft account used on your desktop.
   
3. Select Create > Notebook and follow the prompts to name and create it.
   
4. Open the OneNote desktop app and select the new notebook from your OneDrive list.
   
5. You should now be able to use the notebook without encountering the error.

If the above methods don’t resolve the issue, the problem may be caused by:

• Network restrictions or firewalls blocking OneNote’s connection.
• VPN settings interfering with authentication.
• Temporary outages on Microsoft’s servers.

In such cases, it’s best to contact Microsoft Support. Provide them with the exact error message, any steps you’ve already taken, and your system details. This will help them offer a targeted solution specific to your environment.