How to Fix QuickBooks Error 6000 83: A Company File Issue

QuickBooks error 6000 83 might show up when opening your company file or performing basic operations on it, such as backing it up or restoring the backup.

However, if we take a closer look at when the problem arises, it will help us to troubleshoot it. The error code 6000 83 arises:

While creating a backup of your company file
While restoring your company file
If you keep your company file on a Windows server
If you keep your company file on a Linux server

We will take a closer look at these scenarios and tell you how to resolve the errors in these scenarios. Alright then, let us begin!

Some Potential Reasons for QuickBooks Error 6000 83

First, let us list potential reasons for QuickBooks error 6000 83, before we see how to troubleshoot it.

The file extension is incorrect ( It is not .qbw, but something else)
More than a computer is set to host the company file
The company file or its backup is on the server (host computer), instead of the workstation
There might be a special character, symbol, or space next to the extension in the name of the company file

Section 1: When Creating a Backup of Your Company File

Let us show you how to resolve the error 6000 83 when you create a backup of your company file.

Note: In case you keep the company file on the server, move it to the hard disk. After following the steps below and fixing the issue, you can transfer it back to the server. In case you utilize Intuit Data Protect, speak to a QuickBooks expert.

If QuickBooks Desktop is open on the server computer, close it. For that, open the File menu and choose Quit QuickBooks Desktop.
Launch the Start menu, look for File Explorer, and open it.
Choose My Computer from the navigation bar (Often this might be called This PC).
Open the C: drive and right-click on a blank space on your screen, choose New, followed by Folder. This will create a new folder and assign it the name QBTestFolder.
Now, go back to your QuickBooks Desktop and try creating a company file backup. When asked where to save it, choose the QBTestFolder that you just created.

When you need to restore the company file backup, you can restore it from this location.

Section 2: While Restoring Your Company Backup

If you encounter QuickBooks error 6000 83 when restoring a company file backup, follow the steps below to resolve it.

1. Check the Name of the Backup File

Firstly, you need to check and make sure that your file name does not have unsupported characters like symbols, special characters, or spaces in the backup company filename. This should be the case with your company file folder as well.

Search for File Explorer in the search box beside the Start menu and open it.
Navigate to the folder with the backup company file and look for the backup company file (it will have .qbb extension)
Right-click on the backup company file and choose Rename.
Look for special characters, symbols, or spaces in the filename and remove them, if any.
Right-click the folder that contains the .qbb file and choose Rename. Remove any special characters, symbols, or spaces in the file name.

Now, try restoring the company file backup. If the problem persists, move to the next step.

2. Create a Portable Company

If you still cannot restore a company file backup, try creating a portable company file. Now, restore the portable company file.

If it doesn’t work, try the next step.

3. Restore Your Backup File from Your Local Hard Drive

If the company file backup is on the server, shared over the network, and you are restoring it from the workstation, you might face an error. Therefore, move it first to the local disk on your workstation, and then try restoring it.

Section 3: If You Keep Your Company File on a Windows Server

If you keep your company file on the server and run into error code 6000 83, here is what you should do.

1. Turn Off Hosting on Workstations

If you host the company file on the server, ensure that the hosting is not enabled on the workstation. The hosting should only be enabled on the server. Follow the steps below to check the hosting status on each workstation, one by one.

Open QuickBooks Desktop on the workstation. (Don’t open the company file.)
Open the File menu and go to Utilities.
In case you see the option that says Host Multi-User Access, don’t select it. The hosting is not enabled on this workstation. You may move to the next workstation.
If you see the option that says Stop Hosting Multi-User Access, tap on it.

Once you are done with all workstations, check if you can resume your work. If you get QuickBooks error 6000 83, try the next step.

2. Run QuickBooks File Doctor

QuickBooks File Doctor can automatically troubleshoot the issues in the company file and network, and automatically open the firewall ports.

Therefore, run QuickBooks File Doctor to repair the company file and network.

3. Restore Company File Backup

If the problem persists, try restoring a company file. If you don’t have a backup of the company file, move to the next step.

Firstly, update your QB software.
Check the firewall and antivirus settings and make sure that the QuickBooks programs have access to run freely and connect to the internet.
Moreover, to share QuickBooks files over the network, set up the folder permissions.
If the QuickBooks Database Server Manager is not installed on the server computer, install it.
To run the Database Server, in the Database Server search bar beside the Start menu, open QuickBooks Database Server Manager. Next, scan your company file.
Open the File Explorer by searching for it.
Look for the folder that you scanned moments ago.
Ensure that there is a .ND file in that folder. It will be something like companyname.qbw.nd

In case you don’t see the file, you will need to scan again.

4. Move the Company File

If you continue to face QuickBooks error 6000 83, you might need to move the company file.

Launch the Start menu, search for File Explorer, and open it.
Navigate to your company file, which will be [your company name].qbw.
Right-click the company file and choose Copy.
Go to the Desktop, right-click the space, and choose Paste. Now, you have saved a copy of your company file.

Important: QuickBooks might need you to rebuild your company file. If it does, follow the onscreen instructions.

Launch QB Desktop.
Choose Open or restore an existing company, and then tap on Open a company file.
Browse and look for the company file that you pasted to the new location.
Close QB Desktop. Open the File menu and choose Quit QuickBooks Desktop.
Right-click the company file and choose Rename. In the company file name, add Updated so that it is easier to find.
Now, open the location where your original company file is.
Right-click the original company file and choose Rename. Add .Old to the end of the filename after the file extension. We are doing it so that you don’t have to use it anymore.
Bring the copied company file from your Windows desktop by dragging it to the open folder.
Launch QB Desktop.
Choose Open or restore an existing company, and then tap on Open a company file.
Browse for your company file.

If you continue to face an error, troubleshoot multi-user mode.

Section 4: If You Keep Your Company File on a Linux Server

If you keep your company file on a Linux server and see QuickBooks error 6000 83, let us show you what you can do.

However, you will need permissions to make changes to the server computer. If the company file is not on the server, you need to connect with a QB expert.

1. Configure Your Linux Server

Firstly, follow the steps below to set up the Linux Server.

Open the Linux Database Server Manager on the server computer.
Now, set up Database Server Manager and the directory in the file with the name Initord.conf.
Launch QuickBooks Enterprise on the server computer.

Check if you can open your company file. However, if you see QuickBooks error 6000 83, move to the next step.

2. Set Up the Host File

We will begin by pinging the host computer to get the server name and IP address. Here is how to do that:

Go to a computer on the same network and pull up the Start menu.
Enter CMD into the search bar and select Command.
In the Command window, enter “Ping[enter the name of your Linux server here]”. Now, press the Enter key.
Note down the name of the server and the IP address.

Now is the time to edit the host files. This will ensure the correct IP address and Linux server name for the computers connected to the network.

Follow the steps below to do so, starting with the computer where you see error code 6000 83:

Open the QB application on a computer connected to the network and go to the File menu.
Choose Quit QuickBooks Desktop.
Launch the Start menu and search for File Explorer. Open File Explorer.
Go to My Computer or This PC.
Navigate to the C: Drive, followed by the System32 folder, then the Drivers folder, and finally the ETC folder.
Right-tap the file with the name Hosts or the path C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts. Choose Open with and select Notepad from the list of applications.
At the bottom of the file text, add the Linux server IP address. Press the Tab key and paste the name of the Linux server.

Important: System files in Linux are case sensitive, and therefore, make sure to enter the name as it is.

Choose File, followed by Save, and close Notepad.

Do this on all the computers connected to the computer and then launch QuickBooks Desktop. Check if the issue you faced earlier is fixed.

Conclusion

This was all about why you run into QuickBooks error 6000 83 when opening the company file, creating a backup of it, or restoring it from a backup. If you continue to struggle with the same problem, we recommend you connect to a QB expert. They are available at +1(855)-738-0359, around the clock.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to fix QuickBooks error code 6000-83?

If you see QuickBooks error code 6000 -83 when opening the company file, creating a backup of it, restoring the backup, etc., here is what you can do:
1. Stop Multi-User Access on Workstations: The hosting should be enabled only on the host computer. Disable it on all the workstations.
2. Run QuickBooks File Doctor: From the Tool Hub, tap on the Run QuickBooks File Doctor button to repair the company file and network issues.
3. Restore from a Backup: If you created a recent backup of the company file, restore it.
4. Check the Network Connection: Check your network connection and ensure it is strong and stable to facilitate multi-user mode.
5. Set Up Folder Permissions: Set up folder permissions to ensure QuickBooks can access the company file and share it over the network.

How to fix error 6000 in QuickBooks Desktop?

To resolve the 6000 series error in QuickBooks Desktop, run QuickBooks File Doctor and choose the option to repair the company file and network. Moreover, troubleshoot the folder permissions and ensure QuickBooks has access to the location where your company file is stored. If you share the company file over the network, troubleshoot the multi-user mode setup.

Kate Churchill

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.