Notes will not let me create a new note on Macbook

Question

Notes will not let me create a new note on Macbook

I have a MacBook Air and recently updated to macOS Mojave and ever since the Notes application has not been working properly.

I think it is an issue with the connection to iCloud. It will let me view all of my notes and will let me edit them, but it won't let me make a new note.

I have tried:

Turning computer on and off
Unselecting and reselecting Notes in iCloud settings
Signing in and out of iCloud account completely
Installing system updates

None of this seems to work.

When I unselect Notes in iCloud settings then reselect it, it does seem to look like it is loading the iCloud account in full for a second or two, but then it just disappears again. The actual notes are there the whole time, but they appear then disappear in the side bar.

Please help!

MacBook Air (2018 or later)

Posted on Jan 10, 2019 11:47 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

rose_10

Community Specialist

Jan 13, 2019 11:53 AM in response to CATHERINE0802

Hello CATHERINE0802,

Thanks for reaching out to the Apple Support Communities! You’ve done a great job troubleshooting already and working to isolate the issue which is happening when you go to create a new Note on your MacBook Air. There are a few more steps you can take which come to mind:

1 - Go to the iCloud website and try creating a new note there. If the issue persists when you’re on the iCloud website, then you’ll want to reach out to Apple - Support for more help with iCloud. If you can create a new note and it not disappear on the iCloud website, then continue on to the next step below.

2 - Create a new user and test out Notes: How to test an issue in another user account on your Mac.

If Notes works as expected in the new user, then you know that the issue is isolated to only occurring in your user. This is a great article which will even help you with the next steps to take if the issue persists.

Have a great day!

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Answer 2

Jan 14, 2019 12:43 PM in response to rose_10

Hello,

Thank you for your advice, but it is still not working.

I am able to create a new note on the iCloud website (and on my iPhone), and they appear on my MacBook and I can edit them or delete them, but I still cannot create a new note on my MacBook.

I have created a new user account and tried using Notes on this account and the problem still persists - I can see and edit notes, but cannot create a new note. I have double checked that my software is up to date and it is. I have restarted my MacBook in safe mode and the problem still persists. I have followed the instructions for checking if it is a software or hardware issue, and the problem still persists.

Do you have any further advice?

I am not sure if this information help, but when I go to Notes > Preferences > Enable On My Mac account, then all of my iCloud notes disappear altogether. With On My Mac account still selected, if I unselect and reselect Notes in iCloud settings, this is when I can see iCloud notes loading for a couple of seconds, then they disappear altogether then.

It is only when I have 'Enable On My Mac account' NOT selected that I can see and edit my iCloud notes, but not create a new one.

It might also be worth noting that when I have 'Enable On My Mac account' selected, then the choice of Default Account is just 'On My Mac'. When I 'Enable On My Mac account' is NOT selected, there are no account options in the Default Account dropdown at all.

Thanks,

Catherine

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Answer 3

CarlAVII

Community Specialist

Jan 14, 2019 4:19 PM in response to CATHERINE0802

Hello again, CATHERINE0802!

Thanks for getting back with us and letting us know what’s happening. Nice work isolating the issue to the iCloud account on your MacBook. You’ve done a great job isolating the issue to occurring when you have “Enable On My Mac account” turned on, both in your current user and the new user account. With the issue occurring in both users, the next step will be to Contact Apple Support. Be sure to provide them with the details and troubleshooting results you’ve provided to us.

Have a great day!

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Notes will not let me create a new note on Macbook

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