Troubleshooting Notion errors

Updated: October 28, 2025

Below are some of the common issues with Notion and ways of fixing them.

Template duplication failed

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

• Try duplicating from the mobile app - it could bypass the issue.
• 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.
• If all else fails, wait a bit and try again - this is a known (temporary) issue on Notion’s side.

Notion won’t load at all

If you can't load Notion from your browser, it could be a network/DNS issue 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 corporatenetworks block Notion at the DNS level.
• Desktop app → View → Force Reload. This clears cache without a full reinstall.
• If the web app loads but the desktop app doesn’t, reinstall the desktop app. (You won't lose your data)

Export fails

Large or complex workspace exports can take time - up to several days. Fixes:

• Try again. For large exports, give it some time - Notion processes the export in the background.
• If the ZIP won’t open (on Windows), use 7-Zip to extract the backup.
• Expect layout quirks for PDF exports: page breaks, wide tables, toggles, code blocks, and embeds don’t always render cleanly. Inline images can shift; complex databases flatten.

It is a good idea to make regular backups of your workspace to avoid losing your data.