Sometimes, QuickBooks closes unexpectedly, or the desktop application crashes out of the blue. This could be because of issues with the company file, QuickBooks program, installation files, Windows registry, or even Microsoft components.
Common occasions when you might find QuickBooks shuts down automatically are when emailing a large report, working in the report center, starting to work on transactions, or choosing different centers to work.
The problem is not limited to one edition of QuickBooks Desktop; it can also manifest itself in Pro, Premier, Accountant, or even Enterprise editions. The same holds true for operating systems such as Windows and MacOS.
In this guide, we will explore different reasons why QuickBooks Desktop keeps crashing and tell you how to repair your program and damaged Windows components. Alright then, let us begin.
Possible Reasons Why QuickBooks Desktop Keeps Crashing
QuickBooks crashes when opening company file if the file name is 32 characters or longer or the name might have an invalid special character. However, there are several other factors that can give way to the problem. You might find that the QuickBooks closes unexpectedly if:
- Microsoft .NET Framework or MSXML DLL files might be missing or damaged
- QB Desktop version and operating system are incompatible with each other
- QBWUSER.ini file might be either damaged or missing
- The hard drive is corrupt or damaged
- Windows operating system is either outdated, corrupt
- Your computer doesn’t meet the minimum system requirements for QuickBooks
- An unrecoverable error keeps appearing and interrupting QuickBooks operations
Now, let us see how to resolve it.
QuickBooks Closes Unexpectedly – Top Methods to Troubleshoot It
In this section, we will take you through some things to try if QuickBooks closes unexpectedly, and even so, quite frequently.
Follow the steps below to methodically resolve the issue. However, before that, make sure to update your operating system to the latest release.
1. Restart the Computer and QuickBooks Desktop
Often, technical glitches and program issues can be fixed by restarting the computer. Therefore, the first thing you should try is to reboot the computer and then launch QuickBooks Desktop.
However, if that doesn’t help, move to the next step.
2. Utilize Quick Fix my Program
As the name suggests, Quick Fix my Program is designed to fix the program issues with QuickBooks Desktop instantly. First, install QuickBooks Tool Hub, and then follow the steps below:
- Open QuickBooks Tool Hub.
- Tap on the Program Problems tab and choose QuickBooks Program Diagnostic Tool.
Once done, restart QuickBooks Desktop and check if it works fine.
3. Run QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool
If you still find that QuickBooks closes unexpectedly, let us run a complete repair on the program and installation files, Windows registry, and Microsoft components.
This can be done by running the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool from the Tool Hub. The steps for the same are listed below:
- Launch QB Tool Hub and select Installation Issues.
- Tap on the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool button.
The tool will appear on your screen in some minutes and begin repairing, which may further take 10 to 15 minutes. After its completion, reboot your computer and open QuickBooks. If QuickBooks Desktop or Enterprise keeps crashing, try renaming the qbwuser.ini file.
4. Rename the QBWUSER.INI File
The qbwuser.ini file stores user configuration and settings information, and if it is corrupt or damaged, you will find that QuickBooks crashes when opening company file or working on it.
However, this can be easily fixed by renaming the file.
- Open the QuickBooks folder that contains the qbwuser.ini file
- The file path should be: Users[Your user name]AppDataLocalIntuitQuickBooks [year]
- Locate the qbwuser.ini file, right-click on it, and choose Rename.
- Type .old at the end of the name, so that the file name now becomes qbwuser.ini.old
Now, open QuickBooks Desktop and browse for your company file.
5. Repair QuickBooks from the Control Panel
The Control Panel can repair the program issues the tool from Tool Hub wasn’t able to. Follow the steps below to repair QuickBooks Desktop from the Control Panel:
- Close all QB processes and also the programs that you don’t need right now.
- Launch the Start menu, search for the Control Panel, and open it.
- Go to Programs and Features or Uninstall a Program.
- Now, browse the list of programs and choose QuickBooks from it.
- Select Uninstall/Change, followed by Repair. ( Make sure not to uninstall QuickBooks Desktop).
Follow the on-screen instructions to repair the QuickBooks program and then resume your QB operations.
6. Launch QB Desktop in No Company Window
If QuickBooks crashes when opening the company file or when initiating, this might be because the application is trying to open too many Windows on startup.
- To prevent this from happening, open QuickBooks in the No Company window:
- To do so, first close all QB processes.
- Now, hold the Ctrl key, and with the Ctrl key still held, double-click the QuickBooks icon to open it.
- Only let go of the Ctrl key when the No Company Window appears.
- If you see your company file there, select it to open it. Otherwise, tap on Open or restore an existing company, Browse and select the company file and then open it.
If you continue to struggle with the same problem, the reason might lie with Microsoft components.
7. Manually Repair .NET Framework and MSXML DLL Files
Robust programs like QuickBooks require certain Microsoft components to run. If programs like QuickBooks closes unexpectedly, there could be a problem with the .NET Framework and MSXML DLL Files. Let us troubleshoot them one by one.
(i) Repair .NET Framework 3.5, 4.5 and Later
We will begin by repairing the .NET Framework. To do so, follow the steps below to disable and enable the .NET Framework
- Launch Control Panel and go to Programs and Features.
- Tap on Turn Windows features on or off.
- Now, deselect the checkboxes that are marked for Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 or 4.5 or later.
- Tap on OK.
- Now, back in the Programs and Features window, followed by Turn Windows features on or off.
- Mark all the checkboxes for Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 or 4.5 or later.
- Tap on OK.
(ii) Repair MSXML DLL Files
Now, follow the steps to repair MSXML DLL files on your computer with the 64-bit operating system.
- In the Start menu, type cmd and right-click on it.
- Choose Run as Administrator.
- In the C: prompt line, type cd\windows\syswow64.
- Now, type regsvr32 MSXML6.dll
- Finally, press the Enter key.
Finally, restart your computer and then open QuickBooks Desktop.
8. Try Logging in With a New QuickBooks User
The QuickBooks user that you are logged in with might be corrupt or erroneous. You can try logging in with a new QuickBooks admin user, and if that helps, delete your current user and recreate it.
If you don’t have the login credentials of another admin user, or you are logged in with the only admin user, follow the steps below to create a new user.
- Launch QB Desktop, navigate to Company > Set Up Users and Passwords, and select Set Up Users.
Note: If you are on QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise, navigate to Company > Users > Set Up Users and Roles.
- Select Add User… and type in the username and password that you want to set. (Make sure to provide a non-existing username).
- Set the user preferences and configure admin permissions.
- Finally, tap on File and choose Close Company/Logoff.
9. Clean Install QuickBooks Desktop
If nothing helps, a fresh start is recommended. Perform a clean installation of QuickBooks Desktop and then activate the desktop application to resume working.
If QuickBooks Keeps Crashing in Multi-User Mode
However, if you find that QuickBooks keeps crashing in the multi-user mode, the issue might lie with how the hosting mode is configured. Therefore, troubleshoot the multi-user mode.
Conclusion
In this blog, we explored various reasons why QuickBooks closes unexpectedly and comprehensive ways to fix it. if the application keeps crashing or freezing, it is best to speak to a QB expert. Dial +1(855)-738-0359 now!
Frequently Asked Questions
QuickBooks might continue to close automatically if the qbwuser.ini file is damaged or there is an issue with the program, its installation, Windows registry, or Microsoft components like .NET Framework and MSXML DLL files. The QuickBooks program might be damaged, or the crucial components required to run it are damaged or missing.
If QuickBooks keeps crashing or closing down suddenly, here are a few things that you can try:
1. Run Quick Fix my Program: From the Tool Hub, run Quick Fix my Program to instantly repair the program.
2. Repair QuickBooks Installation: Run the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool to repair damaged installation files, Windows registry, and Microsoft components.
3. Rename the QBWUSER.INI File: Right-click on the QBWUSER.ini file, and add .OLD to the end of the file name to direct QB to create a fresh copy of it.
4. Repair .NET Framework and MSXML: Manually repair the .NET Framework 3.5, 4.5, and later, and MSXML DLL files.
5. Try With a New QuickBooks User: Set up a new admin user and try logging in with it to check if the issue arises from a damaged user
6. Clean Install QuickBooks Desktop: Perform a clean installation of QuickBooks Desktop to start anew.
The reasons for QuickBooks crashing while running or when opening the company file in MacOS or Windows can lie with corrupt or damaged program or installation files or missing components required by the application to run smoothly. Other factors can be an incompatibility between the operating system and QuickBooks or the system lacking crucial updates.
Kate is a certified public accountant (CPA) with expertise in various accounting software. She is technically inclined and finds passion in helping businesses and self-employed people carry out bookkeeping, payroll, and taxation without worrying about errors. Every once in a while, Kate loves to travel to far-off places and relax in the lap of nature.