Although QuickBooks makes it simple to collaborate on the same company file, switching to multi-user mode can sometimes be tricky. This might result from firewall blockage, incorrect hosting configuration, or a corrupt network data file. When this happens, you are prone to see an HX0X error, such as QuickBooks error H101, on your screen.
If you have come across an HX0X error (such as H101, H202, H303, or H505), do not worry. In this blog, we will discuss various reasons that gave way to the error and tested ways to troubleshoot it.
Why Can’t You Switch to Multi-User Mode?
Firstly, let us understand what leads to QuickBooks error H101 when switching to a multi-user environment. The possible reasons are:
- Your QuickBooks Desktop application is outdated or damaged
- There is corruption in your company file
- .ND file or .TLG file is damaged
- Windows or antivirus firewall is restricting QuickBooks from communicating with the server
- The multi-user environment is not correctly configured
- Crucial QuickBooks services are not running on the server computer
Now that we are well-equipped to troubleshoot the error, let us move to the next step.
Top Ways to Troubleshoot QuickBooks Error H101
There are several things involved in the smooth working of the multi-user environment, and if one of them goes wrong, you can run into QuickBooks error H101. Therefore, it is vital to troubleshoot all these aspects individually, which we will do in this section.
Go through the various steps listed below and follow the instructions given there. However, first, update your QuickBooks Desktop and operating system (such as Windows, MacOS, or Linux).
1. Launch QuickBooks Database Server Manager
For the users to be able to access the company file in a workstation in the multi-user environment, QuickBooks Database Server Manager needs to be running on the server. You can launch QB Database Server Manager from the QuickBooks Tool Hub.
- Open QuickBooks Tool Hub and tap on Network Issues from the left pane.
- Click on the QuickBooks Database Server Manager (QBDBMgrN) button. In case the Database Server Manager is not installed on the host computer, you will get a prompt asking you to do so.
- Now, when the QBDBMgrN opens, check if you see your company file folder on the screen. If not, tap on the Add Folder option, Browse to the location of your company file, and select the folder.
- Finally, tap on Start Scan.
Now, try accessing your company file over the network.
2. Run QuickBooks File Doctor
If you run into the error code H101, Run QuickBooks File Doctor to repair the Network Issues.
When doing so, choose the first option, to check your file and network (recommended), as shown in the image above.
3. Direct QuickBooks to Create Fresh Copies of .ND and .TLG Files
Another thing that can affect a multi-user mode environment is damaged .ND and .TLG files. However, it is quite easy to address that — all we need to do is rename them, and QB will create fresh copies of them automatically.
- Close QuickBooks processes and open the QuickBooks Folder, which is usually in this location –
C:\Users\Public\PublicDocuments\Intuit\QuickBooks\Company Files
- Look for the files with .tlg and .nd extensions and rename them; add .old to the end of the file name, after the original extension.
The file name should now appear as company_file.qbw.tlg.old and company_file.qbw.nd.old, where company_file denotes your company file name. Now, restart QuickBooks Desktop and sign into your company file.
4. Check Hosting on the Server and Workstations
The right way to configure hosting is to enable hosting access on the server computer and disable it on the workstations. Let us ensure that one by one.
(i) Disable Hosting Multi-User Access on Workstations
Go to all workstations and ensure that hosting access is not enabled there.
- Open the File menu and go to Utilities.
- Tap on Stop Hosting Multi-User Access and then choose Yes.
Note: If you see the option to Host Multi-User Access, don’t select it. This means that the workstation is not hosting the company file.
(ii) Enable Hosting Multi-User Access on Server
Once you have checked the hosting configuration on all the workstations, it is time to do so on the server computer.
- Open the File menu and go to Utilities.
- Tap on Host Multi-User Access and then choose Yes.
Note: If you see the option to Stop Hosting Multi-User Access, don’t select it. This means that the server computer is already hosting the company file.
Finally, resume working in a multi-user environment. However, if you are met by the QuickBooks error H101, move to the next step.
5. Ensure Crucial QB Services are Running on the Host Computer
QuickBooks services like QuickBooksDBXX and QBCFMonitorService should be running on the host computer all the time. On the server computer, follow the steps below to check that the QBCFMonitorService is running. After that, follow the same steps for QuickBooksDBXX.
- Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run window.
- Type services.msc and hit Enter.
- Locate QBCFMonitorService from the list of programs and double-click on it.
Note: Here, in place of XX, you will see the last two digits of your QuickBooks version years plus 10, such as QuickBooksDB33 or QuickBooksDB34.
- Tap on Startup Type and choose Automatic.
- Check the Service status. If it is neither Running nor Started, choose Start.
- Go to the Recovery tab, and then select First failure, Second failure, and Subsequent failures dropdown menus. In each of them, choose Restart the Service.
- Tap on Apply and choose OK.
Follow similar steps for QuickBooksDBXX.
Note: Here, in place of XX, you will see the last two digits of your QuickBooks version years plus 10, such as QuickBooksDB33 or QuickBooksDB34.
Now, try switching to multi-user mode. If you continue to encounter error code H101, configure the firewall.
6. Configure Windows and Antivirus Firewall
QuickBooks needs access to firewall ports to communicate with the server. Therefore, to ensure that, one needs to manually configure the Windows firewall to allow QuickBooks to go through.
Moreover, if there is an antivirus or security software installed on your computer, create QuickBooks exemptions to it.
Conclusion
We discussed why you run into QuickBooks error H101 when switching to multi-user mode. Moreover, we explored expert-recommended ways to troubleshoot it. However, if you continue to face the same problem, speak to a QB expert. Dial +1(855)-738-0359!
Frequently Asked Questions
Error code H101 in QuickBooks Desktop is an error that prevents users from switching to multi-user mode. This can result from various reasons, such as Windows firewall blocking QB, incorrect hosting configuration, and QB services like QuickBooksDBXX and QBCFMonitorService not running on the host computer, to name a few.
Here’s what you can do to resolve error code H101 and resume working in QuickBooks in multi-user mode:
1. Launch QuickBooks Database Server Manager: Run QuickBooks Database Server Manager on your host computer and scan your company file folder.
2. Run QuickBooks File Doctor: From the Company File Issues tab in QB Tool Hub, run QuickBooks File Doctor to resolve company file and network issues.
3. Add .Old After the .ND and .TLG Extensions: Open the QuickBooks folder and rename the .nd and .tlg files to add .old at the end of the extensions.
4. Check QuickBooks Services on Server: Ensure the crucial QuickBooks services like QuickBooksDBXX and QBCFMonitorService are running on the host computer.
5. Configure Windows and Antivirus Firewall: Manually configure Windows and antivirus firewall to ensure QuickBooks can access the required ports.
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.