OneNote Sync Error 0x80070005

Understanding and Resolving OneNote Sync Error 0x80070005

Encountering error code 0x80070005 in OneNote can be frustrating, preventing you from seamlessly syncing your notebooks across devices. This error typically signifies an "Access Denied" situation, meaning OneNote lacks the necessary permissions to access or modify files and folders required for synchronization. This article provides practical steps to diagnose and resolve this common issue.

Common Causes and Initial Troubleshooting

The 0x80070005 error often stems from several causes:

• Insufficient Permissions: Your user account might not have the required read/write permissions to the OneNote cache folder or the notebook location on OneDrive.
• Antivirus Interference: Some antivirus programs can mistakenly flag OneNote files as suspicious, blocking access and causing sync errors.
• OneDrive Issues: Problems with your OneDrive account, such as storage limitations or sync conflicts, can also trigger this error.

Before diving into more advanced solutions, try these initial troubleshooting steps:

1. Restart OneNote and your device: A simple restart can often resolve temporary glitches.
2. Check your internet connection: Ensure you have a stable and active internet connection.
3. Verify OneDrive status: Confirm that OneDrive is running correctly and not experiencing any outages. Look for the OneDrive icon in your system tray (typically the bottom-right corner of your screen).

Advanced Solutions to Fix Error 0x80070005

If the basic steps don't resolve the issue, consider these more advanced solutions:

Granting Full Control Permissions

This is a common fix. You need to grant your user account full control permissions to the OneNote cache folder. To do this:

1. Close OneNote.
2. Navigate to the OneNote cache folder. The default location is usually: C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneNote. Note: You might need to enable "Show hidden files and folders" in File Explorer to see the "AppData" folder.
3. Right-click on the OneNote folder and select "Properties".
4. Go to the "Security" tab.
5. Click "Edit".
6. Click "Add".
7. Enter your username and click "Check Names".
8. Select your username and check the "Full control" box in the "Allow" column.
9. Click "Apply" and then "OK".
10. Restart OneNote and try syncing again.

Temporarily Disabling Antivirus Software

Temporarily disabling your antivirus software can help determine if it's interfering with OneNote's synchronization process. Important: Only disable your antivirus software briefly for testing purposes, and re-enable it immediately afterward. If disabling the antivirus resolves the issue, consider adding OneNote to your antivirus's exception list. Consult your antivirus software's documentation for instructions on how to do this.

By following these steps, you should be able to effectively troubleshoot and resolve OneNote sync error 0x80070005. If the problem persists, consider contacting Microsoft support for further assistance.