Troubleshooting Ink Color Issues in GoodNotes

GoodNotes is a popular app for note-taking, especially for users who prefer to use the Apple Pencil or stylus for digital handwriting. However, some users may experience issues with ink colors not appearing as expected, making it harder to annotate or take notes effectively. If you're facing problems with ink color in GoodNotes, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot and fix the issue.

1. Check the Pen Settings

GoodNotes allows users to customize the ink color, thickness, and style of the pen. If you notice that the ink color is not displaying correctly, the first place to check is the pen settings.

• Fix: Open the pen tool in GoodNotes and ensure that the correct color is selected. You can access the color palette by tapping on the pen icon and selecting the color you want to use. Make sure you’re using the right pen tool for your needs—such as the fountain pen, ballpoint pen, or highlighter—as each may behave slightly differently with colors​.

2. Update the App and iOS

Sometimes, glitches or bugs related to ink colors can occur if you're running an outdated version of GoodNotes or iOS. Updates often include bug fixes that may address issues with drawing tools or color rendering.

• Fix: Check for updates by going to the App Store to ensure GoodNotes is up to date. Similarly, check Settings > General > Software Update on your iPad to make sure your iOS is also the latest version​.

3. Reset Pen Settings

If the pen settings are configured correctly but the issue persists, try resetting the pen settings to default. This can help resolve any unintended changes made to the pen or ink settings.

• Fix: Go to Settings > GoodNotes > Pen Settings and choose to reset or restore default settings. This can often fix issues where color settings might have been altered or misconfigured​.

4. Check for Layer Issues

If you're working with multiple layers or using a template that has layers (such as grid or lined paper), the ink color may not be visible if it's placed behind another layer. In some cases, the ink may appear faint or invisible due to how layers are arranged.

• Fix: Check the layer order in your document. If you're using images, templates, or imported PDFs, make sure the ink is not being obscured by any background images or content. You may need to adjust the layer visibility or reorder the layers to ensure your ink is visible​.

5. Ensure Proper Display Settings

Occasionally, the issue may be related to your display settings. If your iPad's brightness is too low, or if you have settings like True Tone or Night Shift activated, colors may appear different than intended.

• Fix: Adjust the display brightness and ensure that features like True Tone or Night Shift are turned off if you're experiencing unexpected color changes. To check these, go to Settings > Display & Brightness and adjust the settings accordingly​.

6. Reboot Your Device

If the ink color still isn't working correctly, try restarting your iPad. This can help refresh the app and clear any temporary glitches that might be affecting color rendering in GoodNotes.

• Fix: To restart your device, press and hold the Power button, then swipe to power off your iPad. After a few seconds, turn your device back on and check if the ink color issues are resolved​.

7. Test with Another Document

Sometimes, the issue may be isolated to a particular document or notebook. If the ink color works fine in one document but not another, the issue could be with the specific file.

• Fix: Try creating a new document and test the pen tool with different colors. If the problem is specific to a document, consider exporting the document, creating a new one, and re-importing the content​.

8. Contact GoodNotes Support

If none of these solutions resolve the ink color issues, it may be time to contact GoodNotes support. They can offer more specific troubleshooting based on your device, app version, and the nature of the issue.

• Fix: Visit the GoodNotes support page or contact their support team directly within the app to get more personalized assistance​.

Conclusion

Ink color issues in GoodNotes can be frustrating, but there are several ways to troubleshoot and resolve them. Whether it’s adjusting pen settings, updating the app, or fixing layer or display issues, these solutions should help you get back to smooth note-taking. If problems persist, GoodNotes support is always there to help you get the most out of your digital notes.