How to Fix OneNote’s Devastating Sync Problems on macOS? Expert Solutions Inside

Why Is OneNote Failing to Sync on Your Mac? Critical Compatibility Issues Exposed

OneNote users on macOS are experiencing widespread synchronization failures that have effectively rendered the application unusable for many. This comprehensive analysis examines the root causes, affected systems, and viable solutions for this critical productivity disruption.

The Core Problem: Compatibility Breakdown

The primary issue manifests as a persistent sync error displaying the message “Sync error: please refresh this notebook to continue syncing. refresh now” accompanied by error code 0xE000006C cig68 30115. This error prevents users from accessing their stored notes and synchronizing new content across devices.

Microsoft’s recent OneNote update has fundamentally altered the application’s system requirements, creating an incompatibility crisis for users running older macOS versions. The updated application now requires macOS 13 (Ventura) or higher, effectively abandoning support for previously compatible systems.

Affected Systems and User Impact

The compatibility issue primarily affects users operating:

• macOS Catalina (10.15)
• macOS Mojave (10.14)
• Older iMac and MacBook hardware configurations

Users on these systems report complete loss of synchronization functionality, preventing access to existing notebooks and creation of new content. The issue emerged following a recent OneNote update that modified the application’s minimum system requirements without adequate user notification.

Interestingly, isolated reports indicate that even some users on macOS Sequoia 15.5 are experiencing similar synchronization problems, though these cases appear less common and may involve different underlying causes.

Technical Analysis: Why This Happened

Microsoft’s decision to restrict OneNote compatibility to macOS 13+ appears to be part of a broader strategy to leverage newer operating system features and security protocols. However, this transition has created significant disruption for users who:

• Rely on older but functional Mac hardware
• Cannot upgrade their operating systems due to hardware limitations
• Depend on OneNote for critical academic or professional workflows

The error code 0xE000006C cig68 30115 specifically indicates a synchronization protocol mismatch between the updated OneNote client and Microsoft’s servers when running on unsupported macOS versions.

Proven Solutions and Workarounds

Primary Solution: Version Rollback

The most effective workaround involves installing OneNote version 16.33, which maintains compatibility with older macOS versions. Users have confirmed this older version successfully restores synchronization functionality on affected systems.

Alternative Access Methods

If the version rollback fails, users can maintain access through:

• OneNote Web Application: Full functionality through any web browser
• Mobile Applications: iOS and Android versions remain unaffected
• Cross-platform synchronization: Changes made on alternative platforms sync normally

Troubleshooting Steps for Persistent Issues

For users experiencing continued problems, Microsoft recommends several diagnostic approaches:

• Force synchronization using Shift+Command+S on macOS
• Reset credentials by signing out and back into OneNote
• Clear cached data through the application preferences
• Optimize notebook files to resolve storage-related sync conflicts

Long-term Implications

This compatibility crisis highlights Microsoft’s evolving support strategy for legacy systems. Users on older macOS versions should anticipate similar compatibility challenges with future Microsoft Office updates. The situation underscores the importance of maintaining current operating systems or preparing alternative productivity solutions.

The incident also demonstrates the risks of automatic application updates for users on older systems, suggesting the need for more careful update management and compatibility verification before deployment.

Immediate Action Items

Users experiencing OneNote sync issues should:

• Verify their macOS version to confirm compatibility status
• Download OneNote 16.33 if running unsupported macOS versions
• Backup existing notebooks before attempting any fixes
• Test alternative access methods to maintain productivity during troubleshooting

This synchronization crisis represents a significant disruption for affected users, but the available workarounds provide viable paths to restore functionality while users evaluate long-term solutions.