QuickBooks Freezing: How to Unfreeze QuickBooks Desktop Without Losing Data

Last Updated on November 20, 2025

QuickBooks is highly useful for performing accounting operations and managing employee paychecks. However, when carrying out various tasks like updating the tax table, sending paychecks, or carrying out day-to-day bookkeeping, you may find QuickBooks freezing. This problem is often seen when one of the QuickBooks Desktop or Windows OS is outdated. This problem can severely hamper your workflow.

If you are stuck and can’t work due to your QB freezing, this blog will be helpful. Let us understand the problem in-depth and provide troubleshooting methods to eradicate this issue.

If you are still facing any issues with your QuickBooks freezing continuously, feel free to get in touch with our experts. Dial +1(855)-510-6487.

What are the Reasons When QuickBooks Freezes?

If your QuickBooks Desktop freezes, multiple issues can be the cause of these problems. Here are the common culprits:

• When the company name exceeds the word limit or is too lengthy, it may be shortened.
• If the cache or temp files in the browser are taking up extra space, it can affect the performance of QB Desktop, resulting in unexpected crashes, and sometimes the app stops working.
• The .dat files are corrupted or damaged, causing trouble while loading the company files.
• The QBW32.exe program might be linked with the payroll value, leading to your application freezing
• n your system might be damaged or outdated, which can slow down the speed of QBDT.
• When your Windows operating system is not updated, this error can occur in QB due to compatibility issues.
• QuickBooks is not running on the latest version
• If there are any network connection problems, it could trigger the QuickBooks Desktop freezing issue.
• The TEMP files or cache files can be causing a problem with freezing QB.

These are the reasons why you can see your QB freezing. Now, let’s take a look at the troubleshooting methods for the same.

Section A: 16 Fixes You Can Try when QuickBooks is Freezing

When your QBDT keeps freezing, try the methods mentioned below to fix it. Moreover, follow the steps in the order given.

Solution 1: Launch the QuickBooks Program Diagnostic Tool

Running the QuickBooks Program Diagnostic Tool from the QB Tool Hub will help you fix this issue.

• Close QuickBooks and download the QuickBooks Tool Hub installation file.
• After the download is complete, access the .exe file and install the tool hub by following the on-screen instructions.
• Click Finish to complete the installation.

• Now, launch the QB Tool Hub.
• Under the Program Problems tab, choose the QuickBooks Program Diagnostic Tool.
• This will take 20 minutes to run and fix the issue.
• Once the running process has completed, reboot the system and then access QB.

This will help you avoid this problem with the use of the Program Diagnostic tool.

Solution 2: Run QuickBooks Desktop After Suppressing

When working in multiple tabs, your QuickBooks might start freezing and hamper your important business processes. Suppressing the QuickBooks application can fix this problem. 

• Press and hold the Ctrl key on the keyboard and then double-click on QB.
• Hold the Ctrl key on your keyboard until the No Company Open window appears.
• Open QB and verify if this problem persists for you.

If your QB still freezes, try the following method.

Solution 3: Reinstall QuickBooks

Sometimes the issues can be fixed by just reinstalling the QB Desktop. Here’s how to do it.

• Search for Control Panel in the Windows Start menu.
• In the Programs and Features tab, select the Uninstall a Program option, then right-click on the QBDT.
• Select the Uninstall/Change option, then click Next to remove.
• Now, once the uninstall is done, reinstall the QBDT.

Now, try to reassess the QuickBooks Desktop.

Solution 4: Rename the QBWUSER.ini File

Renaming the QBWUSER file can help overcome this error. To do so, follow these steps:

• Head over to the tab where the QBWUSER.ini file is saved. Typically, the location is Users\AppData\Local\Intuit\QuickBooks.
• If the file is not visible, access the hidden files folder to view it.
• Rename by right-clicking on the QBWUSER.ini file.
• Include the .old extension on the file name.
• Rename the EntitlementDataStore.ecml file also to fix this issue.
• Re-access QuickBooks Desktop.
• Try to access a sample company file in ECML format when the problem is fixed.
• If you are still facing this problem, then your company file may be damaged. Try accessing the previous backup of the file version.

Solution 5: Check for the System Requirements

Verify and check the system requirements to run QuickBooks without any errors.

1. OS Requirements:
Windows 11, or the latest version of the Windows OS, is available.
If you are using a Mac, the version should be OS X v12.0 or the newest version.
The iOS version should be 12.0 or at least the latest available update.

2. Browser Requirements:
The browser should be updated.
It should allow Intuit as a trusted site to visit and perform operations.

3. System Requirements:
The minimum processor needed is 2.4 GHz to run QB smoothly.
A minimum RAM of 8GB or, according to the server, 16 GB.

These are the requirements that should be ensured to avoid the error.

Solution 6: Get the Latest Version of QBDT

To get the latest version of QuickBooks, access the QB Desktop and move to the Help menu. Next, tap the Update QuickBooks Desktop option to find the latest version available. Click on Update Now, then select the Get Updates option. Once the update is done, re-access the QBDT.

Solution 7: Change the Sleep Settings

If QuickBooks freezes more often, check the sleep timer on your primary host system. If the timer is set to 20 minutes, then change the settings by moving to Settings > System > Power and Sleep to modify the system settings for the sleep timer and avoid this error.

Solution 8: Verify and Rebuild the Data Files

Often, damage in the company file can cause QuickBooks to become unresponsive or run slowly. Therefore, check your company file for data integrity. Verify and rebuild the data by following the steps below.

• Go to the File > Utilities > Rebuild Data.
• Under the QuickBooks Information window, tap on OK.
• Now, follow the on-screen setup to perform a backup of the files.
• Allow the tool to repair your file.
• After the tool finishes the repair process, tap on OK.
• Head over to the File menu > Utilities > Verify Data.
• The tool will run and access the file data issues.

However, if you still face this issue, choose Rebuild Now by heading to File > Utilities > Rebuild Data. This will help you fix this problem.

Solution 9: Eliminate the QuickBooks Process

Eliminating the background process can be one of the fixes for this error. Follow the steps below to do so:

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc altogether and access the Task Manager.
• Tap on the Processes tab.
• Now, right-click on QBW32.exe and all related QB processes.
• Then, select End Task.
• Lastly, access QuickBooks again

Check if it is still freezing. Following this step will help you close the QB and start the process again.

Solution 10: Create and Restore Company File

Creating and restoring the company file by following the steps can fix the QuickBooks freezing issue in your system:

• First, move to the File menu.
• Then, click on the Create Copy option.
• Select the Portable company file option.
• Then tap on Next.
• Select the destination to save the copy.
• Opt for the Save option and then tap on OK to apply the changes.
• Now, choose the File menu and then opt for the Open or Restore Company option.
• Here, select the option saying “Restore a portable file” and then tap Next.
• Select the location where the .qbm extension file is saved and tap Open.
• Locate and select “Where do you want to restore the file?” and select the Next option.
• Choose the desired location to save the file.
• Tap on Save.

This will help you create and restore the company file and fix this freezing error.

This will help you create and restore the company file and fix this freezing error.

Solution 11: Rename the QBprint.QBP File

Change the name of the QBprint.QBP file name to avoid the QuickBooks freezing error.

• Look for the QBprint.qbp file.
• Select the Rename option after right-clicking on the QBprint.qbp file.
• Include the .old extension to the file and save it.
• Access the QuickBooks Desktop.
• Head over to the File menu and choose the Printer Setup option.
• Choose any transaction from the Form Name list and tap OK.
• Try to access and print any transaction.

Now, try to clean install the QBDT if you are still facing this problem.

Solution 12: Perform a Clean Install of QuickBooks Desktop

Cleanly installing the QuickBooks Desktop can help you fix the freezing or stuck problem in your QB. To perform a clean installation, follow these steps.

• The first step is to Uninstall the QuickBooks Desktop.
• Then, follow the steps to access the hidden files and folders in your system.
• Tap on the Windows Start menu and search for File Explorer.
• Now, locate and access the folder containing your QuickBooks company files. Usually, the default location is as follows:
  • C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
  • C:\Users(current user)\AppData\Local\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
  • C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
  • For the 64-bit version: C:\Program Files (x86)\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
• Now, to rename the folder, right-click on it.
• Add the .old extension to the file name. 
• Now, reinstall QuickBooks Desktop by running the exe file and following the on-screen instructions to install it.

These steps will guide you through a clean installation of QuickBooks.

Solution 13: Create an Admin User

You can create an admin user and then try accessing QuickBooks using the given steps:

• Click on Start > Settings and then select the Accounts option.
• Choose the Add account option next to the Add other user section.
• Click on the I don’t have this person’s sign-in information message. 
• Then, click Add a user without a Microsoft account on the page.
• Here, input the username, password, or password hint. You can also opt for security questions, then tap on Next.
• Tap on Settings and then Create another account.
• Now, turn the local user account into an administrator account.
• To do that, tap on Start, go to Settings, and choose the Accounts option.
• Choose the account owner’s name under the Family & other users option, and then hit Change account type.
• Under the Account type, choose Administrator and OK.
• Now, sign in with the new administrator account.

These steps will guide you through creating a new admin user and accessing administrator privileges. 

Solution 14: Launch File in Trial Mode

When your QuickBooks is freezing and you are stuck with this issue, you are recommended to access the file in trial mode. However, creating a backup for old files will help you with this problem, as files that are upgraded won’t be accessible for the older versions.

Solution 15: Access QuickBooks as Administrator

Accessing QuickBooks as an administrator can be an easy task and is done by following the steps below:

• Right-click on the QuickBooks icon on the desktop.
• Click on the “Run as administrator” option to launch QuickBooks as an admin.

If the issue still troubles you even after using QuickBooks as an administrator, try the next troubleshooting solution.

Solution 16: Update the Windows OS

There can be times when your older version of Windows can cause you this trouble.

• Choose the Settings tab under the Start menu.
• Then go to the Update and Security option.
• Under the Windows Update column, tap on the Check for Updates option.

If you notice an available update for your OS version, download and install it to resolve this issue.

Section B: Fix the QuickBooks Freezing Problem in QuickBooks Online

The QuickBooks freezing problem can also be seen in the QuickBooks Online version. The steps below will help you address that and also help you fix it.

Solution 1: Delete the Cache Files

If the cache and the temporary files are full, follow the given steps:

• Go to the Control Panel > Internet Options after you right-click on the Start menu.
• Then, move to the General tab and under the Browsing History, choose Delete.
• Tap on Delete all, then Yes, and OK.

These steps will help you delete the cache files.

Solution 2: Clear Application Data

To clear the app data for QB, follow the steps as mentioned.

• Tap on Help & Feedback in the top right menu.
• Select Refresh Data and choose the Refresh option.

Let’s now move on to learning how to fix the POS in the QB versions.

Section C: Top Solutions For QuickBooks Desktop POS Freezing

The steps below are for troubleshooting the POS for the QB version in both the online and desktop versions.  

Solution 1: Update the Point of Sale in QBDT

• Under the Help menu, tap on Software Update.
• Next, select the Updater Preference and then choose the General tab.
• Choose the box with the message Automatically download updates.
• Enabling the notification will help you get the latest updates whenever there’s a new update.
• After the selection is made, tap OK.

Following the steps mentioned above will help in fixing the POS on the Desktop version.

For QuickBooks Desktop POS

The steps below are for troubleshooting the POS for the QB version in both the online and desktop versions.

Solution 1: Update the Point of Sale in QBDT

• On the Help menu, click Software Update.
• Select the Updater Preference and choose the General tab.
• Select the box of Automatically download updates.
• Enabling the notification will help you get the latest updates whenever there’s a new update.
• After the selection is made, tap OK.

Following the steps mentioned above will help in fixing the POS on the Desktop version.

Solution 2: Allow Windows Admin Permissions to QBPOS

• Download QBPOSAdminUtility to the directory on your system.
• Perform this operation on every client and host workstation.
• Right-click on the QBPOSAdminUtility.exe.

• Select the Run as administrator option.

After the utility runs and completes the process successfully, tap OK.

Conclusion

This blog serves as a guide to help you overcome the QuickBooks freezing issue and continue performing operations in the software. We have created a list of reasons that cause this error and stop your working processes. Moreover, we also discussed the troubleshooting methods you can use to fix this error and start working with your QuickBooks version again, effectively and smoothly. If you still need any help with your QuickBooks freezing issue, feel free to get in touch with our experts at +1(855)-510-6487.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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.