Get to know the easiest steps to rectify QuickBooks won’t open your company file issue like a Pro
Noticed an error, where you fail to open your company file in QuickBooks desktop? Well, no need to stress over it, all you need is a better insight into the error and you will be able to shun it away easily. At times, when you try opening your company file, it might show up on the screen: QuickBooks can’t find your company file. If you moved your QuickBooks company file recently, you’ll point QuickBooks to the location. You can do this by searching for your company file using ‘Find‘ in the start menu. This could be due to damaged company file or some issue with your QuickBooks software. Fixing the error becomes mandatory, as the company file stores crucial and sensitive information of the business.
To assist you in tackling through the “Can’t open company file in QuickBooks desktop error”, here we are with this quick segment sharing the most helpful information. However, if you feel any need of technical guidance while performing the troubleshooting steps given here, then feel free to reach out to our accounting experts.
You may also like: Solutions for fixing the QuickBooks subscription error
Why does company file not opening error occurs in QuickBooks desktop?
At times, while working on QuickBooks software, you may stumble upon an error message that says “QuickBooks can’t open company file error”. This error may crash your running program or freezes your screen and also you might loss any of your unsaved accounting data. There are various error messages associated to this company file. The different forms of such error messages that may appear on the screen are as follows:
| QuickBooks company file stopped responding | You can’t access company files |
| QuickBooks can’t access company files. | QuickBooks not responding when opening company file |
What causes QuickBooks can’t open company file issue?
There can be some common factors driving into can’t open company file error. This includes:
- In case there is some issue with the company file, which can be either a damage or some sort of corruption.
- The file is already open on another computer on the same network.
- One of the basic factors can be if you are not following the right path or method to open the file.
- Another possible cause can be if the hard drive file storage is corrupt.
- You can also end up in similar error if there are issues with the location and extension of the file.
- Often an issue with the QBW.tlg file can trigger company file error in QuickBooks.
- You can further end up in similar error if you are still using an outdated QuickBooks version creating troubles.
- QuickBooks version and file are not compatible.
- Another possible trigger is your company file name is exceeding more than 32 alphabets. (It should be under 32)
Signs & symptoms of QuickBooks not responding or can’t open company file error
- You may not be able to open your company file after multiple tries.
- Sudden shutdown of your system, while trying to accessing the company file.
- Another sign can be, your system will respond very slow.
- An error message will repeatedly pop-up on your screen.
Things to do before you start with the troubleshooting process
- Please check if you are using the latest version of QuickBooks. (Current latest version is QuickBooks desktop 2024)
- Check if the issue is with the file or the program:
- Press and keep the CTRL key down and open QuickBooks Desktop by clicking on the icon.
- If the software doesn’t open, the issue is with QuickBooks Desktop.
- If it opens, proceed with the next step.
- The QuickBooks File in question should only be hosted on one system on the network. Turn off hosting for all other systems before proceeding further.
- Also, go to File > Click on Utilities > Click on “Stop hosting multiuser access” option.
- After this, move on to perform the troubleshooting steps.
Check Also: How do I fix error 404 in QuickBooks?
Steps to Solve Can’t open your company file in QuickBooks Desktop problem
Once you understood the causes behind the occurrence of the error, implementing the solutions become easier, as you might know what solutions can work for you. You can try out the below given DIY methods to fix QuickBooks desktop can’t open company file error.
Method 1: Updating QuickBooks Desktop
- At first, you need to open QuickBooks Desktop.
- Then press F2 key to open the Product information window.
- Check your QuickBooks version and release.
Option 1:
You can set up automatic updates to keep you QuickBooks Desktop updated.
- Go to Help menu and click on Update QuickBooks Desktop.
- After that, click on Update Now tab. (You can click and check the Reset Update checkbox to clear all previous update downloads.)
- And further, select Get Updates and start the download.
- Now wait for a while to download.
- Once done, reboot your system.
Option 2:
You can also schedule automatic updates to take place later on in case you don’t want to immediately download updates.
- Go to Help menu and select Update QuickBooks Desktop
- In the next step, go to Options tab and select Yes to turn on automatic updates.
- Next, checkmark on the Mark All opt to select all the updates.
- Lastly, select Save and Close to apply the changes.
Method 2: Turn off hosting on the workstations
You need to turn off the hosting on the workstation, using the steps below:
Skip this step If a network isn’t hosting your QuickBooks company and you don’t use Multi-User mode.
It should ne noted that turning off the Host Multi-User Access option on your computers. These computers, connected to your network, don’t host your company files. The file should only be hosted by your server computer.
- At first, open QuickBooks desktop on one workstation.
- After that go to File menu and move to Utilities.
- Here you need to verify if the “Host Multi-User Access” opt is visible, don’t select it and move on to next workstation. This computer isn’t causing the problem.
- Now select If you see the Stop Hosting Multi-User Access option, in the new workstation.
- Repeat the above-mentioned steps on all of your workstations.
Next, move on to the computer that hosts your company file.
- Open QuickBooks on your server computer.
- And then, go to File menu and go to Utilities.
- In the next step, you need to select Host Multi-User Access.
- Also, change the setting and repeat the process.
- Now select Stop Hosting Multi-User Access to reset Multi-user Mode.
- Repeat the process once again and select Host Multi-User Access this time and also tap on Yes.
- Once you’ve done everything, try again to open the company file.
Read it also: Resolve Script Error When Accessing QuickBooks
Method 3: Open a sample company file
- To open a sample company file, you simply have to open Windows start menu.
- Furthermore, choose Ctrl and then go for QuickBooks.
- Once done with that, choose Open a sample company file.
In case the sample company file doesn’t open, then the software is the main issue. And if the company file opens up, then you need to proceed further with the solutions.
Method 4: Check the company file you’re opening
QuickBooks Desktop has many types of company files with different different types of extensions. Every extension has it’s different role. Make sure you open a company file (QBW) with a .qbw extension at the end of the filename. Other file types, such as backups (QBB) and portable files (QBM) can’t be pulled up in the same manner.
Check Also: How to Fix Web Connect Import Issues in QuickBooks Desktop?
Method 5: Move company file
In case your company file’s location is an issue, then you can simply fix it by moving the file and open it from the new location. You need to proceed with the steps below:
- Head to start tab and further enter File explorer into the search bar.
- You now have to open file explorer.
- Once done with that, find the folder with the company file.
- And then, right click the Company file and choose Copy.
- The next step is to right click anywhere and then you need to click on Paste.
- Also, open QuickBooks.
- Head to file and choose Open or restore company.
- The next step is to choose the company file you copied to the desktop and then choose Open.
In case the company file opens from the desktop, then the file location is the issue.
Method 6: Rename .TLG and .ND files
- Under this solution, go to QuickBooks company file folder location.
- After that, select transaction log file and hit a right-click on it.
- Rename the company file (OLD.qbw.TLG).
- Now, open the file.
- QuickBooks create files of the .TLG and .ND extensions.
- Don’t lose or delete these files as they are important to recover the lost data.
Read Also: How to Fix QuickBooks Payroll Keeps Turning Off Issue?
Method 7: Change your file properties
- Press the Windows Start and open File Explorer.
- After that, find your company file named with [Your company name].qbw.
- Hit a right click on the company file and select Properties.
- Now, select Advanced and uncheck the Compress and Encrypt checkboxes.
- Once done with that, click on OK and reopen company file.
- If your QuickBooks company file still doesn’t open, move on to last step.
Method 8: Run a repair
Move your QuickBooks company file to another computer and see if it opens. If it does, the problem is with your computer. In that case you can perform the following troubleshooting steps on your first computer.
Run the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic tool
You can run the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic tool from the QuickBooks Tool Hub program. This program is a set of multiple of tools and help you to fix many errors. If you don’t already have an updated and most recent version of Tools Hub installed on your Windows, install it and then run it. See if the file open. If not, move on to the next option.
Run a repair on your installation files
You already have installed diagnostic tool in the previous step. Now, run Quick Fix my File and file doctor tool one by one and then open your company file.
See it Also: How to Fix QuickBooks Error Codes: 6189, 816?
Summary
Eliminating can’t open company file QuickBooks desktop isn’t that challenging, especially when you have the steps in handy. Just in case you continue to face the error, then reaching out to our technical support team at 1(800)761-1787 will help. Our 24*7 QuickBooks error support team will help you fix the issue permanently.
FAQs
Company file and network related issues can be easily resolved by using QuickBooks File Doctor and verify and rebuild tool.
There can be many reasons behind to not opening the company files. Most common ones are if you have damaged company file or company file has corrupted data.
The company files have a .qbw extension.
Try these quick steps to set the maximum number of company files:
1. Open your QuickBooks and login to any available file on the server.
2. After that go to file menu and select open previous company.
3. Now here you can set the number of previous companies and select the number of files.
4. To save the changes, select Ok. That’s it!
Other recommended posts:
How to Troubleshoot QuickBooks Error 6177, 0?
+1-800-761-1787