Contents
- 1 Why Does QuickBooks Desktop Fail to Connect to the Server?
- 2 Quick Ways to Fix When QB Desktop Cannot Connect to the Server
- 3 6 Practical Ways to Fix QuickBooks Not Connecting to Server
- 3.1 1. Restart the Server and All Workstations
- 3.2 2. Ensure Proper Multi-User Hosting Settings
- 3.3 3. Run QuickBooks Database Server Manager on the Server
- 3.4 4. Restart QuickBooks Services on the Server
- 3.5 5. Verify the Network Connection If You Find QuickBooks Not Connecting to Server
- 3.6 6. Utilize a UNC Path to Connect to the Server
- 4 Wrapping Up
- 5 Common Queries Related to QB Desktop Server Connection
When attempting to open the company file by using the multi-user mode facility, sometimes, you may find QuickBooks not connecting to server. As a result, you cannot access your financial data for different business projects. The common error messages that you might see on the screen are as follows:
“Can’t Communicate With QuickBooks Server”
Or
“QuickBooks Desktop Unable to Connect to the Remote Server”
This problem can also occur when you try to send any form from various workstations to the server.
You might also note frequent system lags and freezing due to such errors. The network connection can function quite slowly, and abrupt computer shutdowns can also occur. The good point is that you can resolve this issue using easy techniques. Let’s quickly explore the article to learn why we face this problem and how we can fix it reliably.
Why Does QuickBooks Desktop Fail to Connect to the Server?
Here are the main reasons why you might notice QuickBooks not connecting to server:
- Unstable Internet service connection on the network.
- Outdated QB software application.
- Windows Firewall and antivirus program interference.
- Imprecise multi-user hosting settings.
- Non-functional QB services on the server.
- Program faults in the QB Desktop application.
Now, let’s learn some super fast hacks to fix this issue in the next section.
Quick Ways to Fix When QB Desktop Cannot Connect to the Server
The following table illustrates the easiest tactics that you need to use when you find QuickBooks not connecting to server. Go through it and ensure a perfect QB connection to the server.
Relevant Causes | Effective Fixes |
Incorrect multi-user hosting setup. | Reconfigure the multi-user hosting settings. |
Obsolete QB version. | Install QuickBooks updates. |
Non-operational QB services on the server. | Restart the relevant QB services. |
Defective network settings. | Utilize the QuickBooks File Doctor utility. |
Faulty Internet connection setup. | Check the Internet service connection. |
Inaccurate settings of Windows Firewall. | Exempt QB Desktop in Windows Firewall. |
Let’s go to the following section to explore step-by-step techniques to resolve this problem.
Expert Note: Discrepancies Between Inventory On Hand and Quick Report in QuickBooks: An Updated Guide
6 Practical Ways to Fix QuickBooks Not Connecting to Server
Before using any solution for QuickBooks not connecting to server, you need to do the following:
- Install the most recent QuickBooks Desktop updates. This will assist you in utilizing newly devised bug fixes and tools for the troubleshooting process.
- Download and install newly released Windows updates. This will help ease the troubleshooting process by allowing you to use fresh features and improvements.
Now, you can use the resolutions mentioned below in the precise order:
1. Restart the Server and All Workstations
The first effective approach to fix this issue is to restart your server system and all workstations. This will help you easily fix various issues, and you will be able to connect to the server to access all your data.
If you still find QuickBooks not connecting to server, try the following solution.
2. Ensure Proper Multi-User Hosting Settings
An imprecise multi-user hosting setup can cause a failed QB connection to the server. You need to maintain the server system as a multi-user host on the network. Moreover, you shouldn’t designate any workstation as a host on your network. This will allow you to connect to the server easily. Here’s how to do so:
- Firstly, go to any workstation and immediately open QuickBooks.
- Choose File and tap Utilities, after which you should check the Stop Hosting Multi-User Access box.
- Now, repeat the previous steps on all the remaining workstations. This will ensure that no workstation acts as a host on your network.
- Next, access QB Desktop on the server system and choose File.
- Go to Utilities and mark the Host Multi-User Access option.
- The server system will now function as a host on your network.
- Finally, you can connect to the server from any workstation to access your data. If you find QuickBooks cannot communicate with the company file, you need to get that fixed instantly.
Do you still notice the QuickBooks application not connecting to server? If that’s the case, consider running QB Database Server Manager on your server as described below.
3. Run QuickBooks Database Server Manager on the Server
QuickBooks Database Server Manager can help you fix company file issues on the server. Additionally, it can repair Windows Firewall permissions very effectively. Here’s how you can run this utility on the server:
- First of all, install QuickBooks Tool Hub on your server computer.
- Now, double-click the icon of QuickBooks Tool Hub to open it and select Network Issues.
- Choose QuickBooks Database Server Manager, after which you should select Browse.
- At this point, select the company file and tap the Start Scan button.
- Next, QB Database Server Manager will repair the company file and reconfigure all the Windows Firewall permissions.
- Finally, move back to any workstation and connect to the server to access your QuickBooks data. If you notice QuickBooks multi-user mode not working, you should resolve it immediately.
Is QuickBooks not connecting to server even now? If so, consider checking the QB services on the server, as discussed below.
4. Restart QuickBooks Services on the Server
You need to make sure that crucial QuickBooks services remain operational on the server. This will help you easily connect to the server from different workstations. Here’s how you can verify different QB services on the server:
- Tap Windows + R and get the Run window on your server computer.
- Type services.msc and immediately click OK to open up the Services window.
- Now, locate the QuickBooksDBXX (‘XX’ denotes the version) icon and double-click it.
- At this point, choose Automatic via the Startup Type menu.
- Go to the Service Status and select Start. After that, jump to the Recovery tab.
- Next, you have to select Restart the Service from the three menus displayed on the window: First Failure, Second Failure, and Subsequent Failure.
- Tap Apply and click OK, after which you should repeat all these steps for QBCFMonitorService.
- When you are done, navigate to any workstation and access the QB data present on the server. If you encounter QuickBooks error code 80070057 when opening your data file, you can resolve it easily.
Do you continue to find QuickBooks not connecting to server system? If so, consider checking the network connection as outlined below.
5. Verify the Network Connection If You Find QuickBooks Not Connecting to Server
An improper network connection can hinder the communication between the server and various workstations. As a result, you might discover the QB application is not connecting to the server. Furthermore, you can get error messages stating that QuickBooks already has a company file open.
To fix this, you need to ensure that your network is properly configured to allow seamless communication between various systems. Here’s how to do so:
- First and foremost, you should open the Run window on the server by tapping Windows + R.
- Type CMD and hit Enter. After that, type ‘ipconfig/all’ in the Command Prompt.
- Hit Enter to run the command and discover the Host Name provided in the Windows IP Configuration section.
- Note the Server Name and go to any workstation.
- Open Command Prompt on the workstation and run the following command: ‘ping [server name]’. Ensure that you don’t include brackets around your server name.
- Now, if you receive replies for every packet, it shows that the network connection is fine. However, if you note packet loss or slow replies, you have to contact an IT professional to fix your network.
Is QB Desktop not connecting to server computer even after fixing your network? If so, consider using a UNC path to connect to the server, as described below.
6. Utilize a UNC Path to Connect to the Server
A UNC (Uniform Naming Convention) path is a standard route used to access shared resources on a network. It enables you to access resources regardless of network setup. Here’s how you can use it to connect to the server:
- Firstly, open QuickBooks on any workstation and select File.
- Click Open or Restore Company, after which you need to choose Open a Company File.
- Tap Next and choose My Network Places to access the location on the server computer where company file data is stored.
Finally, you can open your company file saved on the server to access and utilize all your financial data.
Wrapping Up
In this extensive guide, we showed what you need to do when you discover QuickBooks not connecting to server. Hopefully, you can now access the server system to obtain all your company file data. If, however, you still experience numerous challenges or have a query, you can contact a QB professional for reliable assistance.
Common Queries Related to QB Desktop Server Connection
You might discover QuickBooks not connecting to server due to faulty network setup, interference from Windows Firewall, and imprecise multi-user hosting configuration. Some error codes, such as QuickBooks error H202, can also appear on the screen.
You need to install QB updates and verify the Windows Firewall permissions if you find QuickBooks software not connecting to server. Additionally, you should check the multi-user hosting setup.
Some common preventive measures for QuickBooks not connecting to server include installing regular QB updates, keeping the Windows Firewall updated, and constantly monitoring the network connection. Moreover, you can exempt QuickBooks from your antivirus software.
To configure the QuickBooks server for multi-user access, you need to install QB Database Server Manager. In addition, you should grant required access permissions for the company file folder and enable the multi-user hosting mode.
To fix QuickBooks multi-user mode errors, you can check your network connection, exempt QB in Windows Firewall, and verify hosting settings. Moreover, you can transfer the company file to a new folder on the server system.