Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-15

How to Fix: Getting this error when trying to create new notebook in jupyter notebook

Error fixing notebook creation in Jupyter Notebook on Windows 10

Quick Answer: Check for corrupted or locked files, and try reinstalling Python or resetting the Jupyter Notebook settings.

The error 'Unexpected error while saving file: Untitled.ipynb attempt to write a readonly database.' occurs when trying to create a new notebook in Jupyter Notebook on a Windows 10 machine. This issue affects users who have recently installed and uninstalled Python versions, specifically from 32-bit to 64-bit.

This error can be frustrating as it prevents users from creating new notebooks and working with their data. In this guide, we will walk you through the root causes of this issue and provide two primary methods to fix it.

🛑 Root Causes of the Error

  • The main reason for this error is a corrupted or incomplete Jupyter Notebook configuration file. When Python versions are installed and uninstalled, this can cause issues with the notebook's settings. Additionally, a mismatch between the Python version used in the notebook and the system Python version can also lead to this error.
  • Another possible cause is an issue with the Windows registry or environment variables, which can affect the way Jupyter Notebook interacts with the operating system.

🚀 How to Resolve This Issue

Reinstalling Jupyter Notebook

  1. Step 1: Open a command prompt as an administrator and navigate to the directory where you installed Jupyter Notebook. Type the following command to uninstall Jupyter Notebook: `pip uninstall jupyter`.
  2. Step 2: Once uninstalled, type the following command to reinstall Jupyter Notebook: `pip install jupyter`. Make sure to use the correct Python version (e.g., `python3` for 64-bit or `python2` for 32-bit).
  3. Step 3: After installation, restart the Jupyter Notebook server by running `jupyter notebook --no-browser` in the command prompt. This will allow you to create a new notebook.

Resetting Jupyter Notebook configuration

  1. Step 1: Open a Python interpreter and type the following command to reset the Jupyter Notebook configuration: `from IPython import get_ipython; get_ipython().config.new()`.
  2. Step 2: This will create a new configuration file for Jupyter Notebook. Restart the Jupyter Notebook server by running `jupyter notebook --no-browser` in the command prompt.

💡 Conclusion

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the 'Unexpected error while saving file: Untitled.ipynb attempt to write a readonly database.' issue in Jupyter Notebook. If you continue to encounter problems, try reinstalling Python versions or seeking further assistance from our support team.

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