Troubleshooting Notion errors

Below we've compiled some of the common issues with Notion and ways of fixing them.

Template won't duplicate

What’s happening: It’s often a temporary glitch or a permissions problem inside the template’s nested pages (usually databases). Fixes:

• Try duplicating from the mobile app - it often bypasses the hiccup.
• Check sharing on every page and database inside the template. If a sub-page has stricter permissions, duplication can fail even if the top page is shared. Explicitly share all nested pages/databases, not just the parent. Make sure the share chain doesn’t stop where permissions change.
• If all else fails, wait a bit and try again - this is a known issue on Notion’s side.

Notion won’t load at all

What’s happening: Network/DNS issues or a glitch in the desktop app. Fixes:

• Switch your DNS to 8.8.8.8 (Google DNS) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare). Some networks block Notion at the DNS level.
• Desktop app → View → Force Reload. This clears cached junk without a full reinstall.
• If the web app loads but the desktop app doesn’t, reinstall the desktop app. (You’ll keep your data—it lives in the cloud.)

Export fails

What’s happening: Big workspaces take time; the export job can stall. Fixes:

• Try again. For large exports, give it time - Notion processes in the background.
• If the ZIP won’t open, use 7-Zip to extract—more forgiving than default tools.
• PDF export caveats: Expect layout quirks—page breaks, wide tables, toggles, code blocks, and embeds don’t always render cleanly. Inline images can shift; complex databases flatten. For share-ready PDFs, you may need manual cleanup.