When you see the error “Sync token invalid” in Notion, your app or integration has lost permission to access your workspace. This happens because the authentication token used to sync data has expired or been revoked. This article explains why the token becomes invalid and provides clear steps to re-authenticate your account or integration.
You will learn how to fix the error on the desktop app, browser, and for third-party integrations. The fix involves logging out and logging back in, or generating a new internal integration token. Follow the steps below to restore syncing and avoid data loss.
Key Takeaways: Re-Authenticating to Fix Sync Token Invalid
- Settings & Members > My Account > Log Out: Clears the cached token and forces a fresh login.
- Settings & Members > Connections > Disconnect: Removes a third-party integration that may be using a stale token.
- Integrations > Internal Integration > Regenerate Token: Creates a new token for custom API integrations.
Why the Sync Token Becomes Invalid
A sync token is a unique authentication key that Notion issues when you log in or when an integration connects to your workspace. This token proves that your app or browser has permission to read and write data. The token becomes invalid for three main reasons.
Token Expiration
Notion sets an expiration time on tokens for security. If you have not used the app for a long period, the token expires and the server rejects it. The error appears when the app tries to sync without a valid token.
Password Change or Session Revocation
Changing your Notion password or manually revoking a session from the security settings invalidates all existing tokens. The app cannot sync until you log in again with the new credentials.
Integration Token Revoked
For third-party integrations or custom API connections, the token can be revoked from the Notion Integrations page. This happens when you delete the integration or when Notion updates its API policies. The integration then shows the sync token invalid error.
Steps to Re-Authenticate Your Notion Account
The method depends on whether you are using the desktop app, the browser version, or a third-party integration. Follow the section that matches your situation.
Re-Authenticate in the Desktop App (Windows or Mac)
- Open Notion and go to Settings
Click your profile picture in the top-left corner. Select Settings & Members from the menu. - Log out of your account
In the left sidebar, click My Account. Scroll to the bottom and click Log Out. This clears the cached token. - Close and reopen the app
Quit the Notion desktop app completely. Open it again. You will see the login screen. - Log in with your credentials
Enter your email and password. If you use Google or Apple SSO, click the corresponding button. Notion issues a new token after successful login.
Re-Authenticate in the Browser (Web App)
- Open Notion in your browser
Go to notion.so and ensure you are on the workspace showing the error. - Clear site data for Notion
Click the lock icon in the address bar. Select Site Settings or Cookies. Click Clear Data to remove stored tokens and cookies. - Reload the page
Press Ctrl+R or Cmd+R. The login screen appears. - Log in again
Enter your credentials. Notion creates a new sync token and the error disappears.
Re-Authenticate a Third-Party Integration
- Go to Settings & Members
Click your profile picture and select Settings & Members. - Open the Connections tab
In the left sidebar, click Connections. You see a list of all connected integrations. - Disconnect the integration
Find the integration showing the error. Click the three-dot menu next to it. Select Disconnect. Confirm the action. - Reconnect the integration
Go back to the integration’s website or app. Start the connection process again. Grant permission when prompted. Notion issues a new token.
Regenerate a Token for a Custom Internal Integration
- Open the Integrations page
Go to notion.so/my-integrations. Log in if prompted. - Select your integration
Click the name of the integration that has the invalid token. - Regenerate the token
Under the Token section, click Regenerate Token. Copy the new token immediately. - Update your application
Paste the new token into your app’s configuration file or environment variable. Save and restart the app.
If Notion Still Shows the Error After Re-Authentication
Error persists on the desktop app
The app may have corrupted cache files. Quit Notion completely. On Windows, press Ctrl+Shift+Escape to open Task Manager and end all Notion processes. On Mac, press Cmd+Q and then open Activity Monitor to force quit Notion. Restart the app and log in again.
Error appears on mobile after desktop fix
Each device stores its own token. Open the Notion mobile app. Go to Settings > Log Out. Log in again with the same account. The new token syncs across devices.
Integration still fails after reconnecting
The integration may require a specific permission scope. Go to Settings & Members > Connections. Click the integration name to view its permissions. Ensure it has access to the pages or databases you need. If not, remove and reconnect with the correct permissions.
Notion Account vs Integration Token: Key Differences
| Item | Account Token | Integration Token |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Authenticates your user session | Authenticates a third-party app or API |
| Where it is stored | Browser cookies or app cache | Integration settings or environment variables |
| How to reset | Log out and log in again | Regenerate token from My Integrations page |
| Expiration trigger | Password change, session revoke, or inactivity | Manual revoke or API policy update |
When you log out of your Notion account, the account token is destroyed. Integration tokens remain valid until you revoke or regenerate them. If you see the sync token invalid error on a custom integration, regenerate the token rather than logging out of your personal account.
After re-authentication, your Notion workspace syncs normally. Check that all linked databases and integrations show recent data. To prevent future token issues, monitor your integrations on the My Integrations page and regenerate tokens before they expire. For regular account use, sign out and back in once every few months to keep the token fresh.