Resolve OneNote “You’re Out of Disk Space” Error

2024/11/15

If you’re facing sync issues in OneNote accompanied by messages like You’re out of disk space, You’ve run out of space, or Not enough space, don’t worry; we have solutions to resolve this problem. These error messages might arise under different circumstances, yet the remedies are quite similar.

We’re sorry, we can’t sync because you have insufficient space in your OneDrive or Office 365 account.

Sometimes, this message includes an accompanying error code: 0xE0000796 (Quota Exceeded).

We’re sorry, we can’t sync this section because your OneDrive or Office 365 account is out of space (Error 0xE00C0796).

Troubleshooting OneNote Disk Space Error

To resolve the disk space error in OneNote, consider the following solutions:

Check available storage
Optimize your OneNote notebook
Remove old backups
Clear the OneNote cache

For detailed guidance on these solutions, please continue reading.

1] Check Available Storage

OneNote may struggle to sync notebooks if available storage is low. Confirm where your notebook is saved, either on OneDrive or SharePoint.

If it’s on OneDrive, you will need to free up some space there.

Log into your OneDrive account and check the storage metrics (as depicted in the image). You can also empty the Recycle Bin to reclaim space; just navigate to onedrive.live.com and select Empty recycle bin.

Additionally, verify if your local computer has adequate disk space and consider cleaning up files from there as well. Clearing the OneNote cache might also be beneficial.

If your notebook is on SharePoint, be sure to reach out to your SharePoint administrator for assistance.

2] Optimize Your OneNote Notebook

Optimizing your OneNote notebook can create additional space for new storage. To do this, follow these steps:

Launch the OneNote application on your device.
Select File > Options.
Go to the Save & Backup tab.
Look for the Optimizing files section.
Press the Optimize All Files Now button.
Hit the OK button to confirm.

3] Remove Old Backups

OneNote generates backups that are saved on your local drive, typically the C drive. If disk space on your C drive is insufficient, it could trigger the same error. Follow these steps to assess and eliminate outdated or unnecessary backups:

Press Win+R to access the Run prompt.
In the dialog box, input %localappdata% and hit Enter.
Follow this directory path: Microsoft\OneNote\16.0\Backup
Remove obsolete backups from this folder.
Restart OneNote.

4] Clear OneNote Cache

Occasionally, a bug or temporary issue may arise that can be fixed by clearing the cache. Here’s how to clear the OneNote cache:

Open File Explorer.
Navigate to: C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneNote\16.0
Right-click the Cache folder and delete it.
Restart the OneNote application.

That’s it!

How to Monitor OneNote Storage

Since OneNote data is stored in OneDrive, checking your OneDrive storage is crucial to understanding your usage. Simply visit the OneDrive webpage and look at the Storage section.

To better manage your storage, click on the utilized storage or navigate to onedrive.live.com.

How to Free Up Disk Space in OneNote?

To create additional disk space within OneNote, consider the following actions:

Delete files stored in OneDrive, as it hosts all OneNote notes.
Remove unnecessary old backups.
Clear out the OneNote cache.
Eliminate old notebooks that are no longer needed.

How to Resolve Running Out of Disk Space?

If OneNote is reporting a lack of disk space, you should create more storage on your OneDrive account. Alternatively, you can change the Save & Backup location in the OneNote options. Finally, consider clearing cache files and possibly increasing your OneDrive storage plan.