Last Updated on December 11, 2025
The QuickBooks email invoices not working issue can be seen in your QB software and cause more trouble than you can imagine. When you encounter this error in your system, you might be unable to send invoices to your clients and customers. This issue can be caused by a damaged QB installation or incorrect email settings in your system. When facing this error, you might encounter an error message saying:
| “QuickBooks is unable to send invoices.” |
| “Error: QuickBooks is unable to send your email to Outlook.” |
With this thorough guide, you will understand this error in depth and how to troubleshoot it.
If you need any help with sending invoices to your customers, feel free to contact our experts at (855)-510-6487 for free guidance.
Reasons Causing QuickBooks Email Invoices Not Working
There are several factors that might prevent QuickBooks Email Invoices Not Working. Listed below are the reasons to help you understand what may be the cause for you.
- If the email settings in your system are misconfigured or not set appropriately, you will not be able to send invoices.
- When you are dealing with an internet connection issue.
- If the firewall or the antivirus application is blocking the QuickBooks operations.
- Check if the invoices are sent to the spam category of the email.
- If the QB version is outdated, you might observe that your QuickBooks email invoices not working.
- There may be a reason the email service provider is experiencing a temporary issue or limitations.
- If your company file is corrupted or damaged.
- If the QuickBooks installation folder is damaged, that may have caused the invoice error.
- The mapi32.dll file, which is responsible for sending and processing invoices, is damaged.
- When the Outlook application is not installed correctly in your system.
- If there is any background application that is causing trouble for QB operations.
Once you understand the reasons behind the error in your system, let’s move on to the fixes you can try to overcome it.
Note: Improve your workflow with a simple QuickBooks Email Setup guide. Learn to configure email preferences, adjust SMTP settings, and resolve common issues to ensure smooth, efficient communication directly through QuickBooks Desktop or QuickBooks Online.
Methods to Try When Facing QuickBooks Email Invoices Not Working
In this section of the blog, we will discuss troubleshooting methods to help you resolve QuickBooks Email Invoices Not Working in your system.
Method 1: Modify the Email Preferences in QuickBooks
To modify the email preferences in your QuickBooks, here are the steps to follow:
- Access the QBDT application.
- Head to the Edit section.
- Tap on the Preferences option.
- From the left side, click on My Preferences.
- Tap on Edit.
- Choose Default from the options.
- Ensure that the email provider name is the same as the Server Name.
- Now, change the server name to smtp.mail.outlook.com for Outlook to intuit.smtp.mail.outlook.com.
- Check that the Use Enhanced Security option is enabled.
Ensure that you are using the correct password for your webmail. To check if the error is fixed, run a test by:
- Go to the File menu.
- Choose the Close Company option.
- Now, tap on the Open a Sample File option under the No Company Open window.
- Select the sample company file you wish to open.
Once done, try sending the email to see if the error persists.
Method 2: Use the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool
To use the install diagnostic tool, you need to first download and install the QuickBooks Tool Hub on your system.
- Access the QuickBooks Tool Hub.
- Go to the Installation Issues tab.
- Then tap the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool to run it.
Let the tool run and fix the issue in your system. If this method doesn’t fix your issue, try the next troubleshooting method.
Method 3: Check if QuickBooks is Running as an Administrator
Ensure that QB is not running as an admin. If yes, here’s how to fix it:
- Right-click on the QuickBooks icon.
- Tap on the Properties option.
- Now, go to the Compatibility tab.
- Unmark the Run this program as administrator option.
- If the section is greyed out, then choose the Show Settings for All Users.
- Tap on OK.
Now, restart the program to check if the error persists.
Method 4: Send a Test Mail in MS Word and Repair your MAPI32.dll
If the issue is related to the mapi32.dll, listed below are the steps you need to follow to fix it.
- Firstly, restart your system.
- Access the Microsoft Word application.
- Create a new document.
- Head to the File menu.
- Tap on the Email as PDF attachment option.
If the mail is sent as an MS Word file, and you are unable to send an email in QuickBooks. Follow the steps below:
- Ensure that all running programs are eliminated.
- Open the Windows Start menu and search for File Explorer in the search bar.
- Access the File Explorer.
- Now, search C:\Windows\System32 in the search box.
- Find and access the Fixmapi.exe file.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to launch the repair.
- Now, restart your system after the repair is done.
Open QuickBooks Desktop and try sending a test email to check if QuickBooks email invoices not working.
Method 5: Set up the Server Information for Comcast
There may be times when the server information for your Comcast email can help you fix this issue. Follow the steps below to do so:
- Access the QuickBooks application.
- Go to the Edit tab.
- Choose the Preferences option.
- Then, select the Send Forms menu.
- Tap on the My Preferences tab.
- From the Send email section, hover over WebMail.
- Tap on Add and enter your email ID.
- Choose the Other option as your email provider.
- Input smtp.comcast.net as the server name and 587 as the Port.
- Tap on Ok.
This will help you fix invoice-not-working issues if they are due to the server information in the email.
Method 6: Clean Install QuickBooks Desktop
If you are facing this issue with the application, try a clean install of the QBDT application to fix it. This procedure includes deleting and reinstalling the file, which will help you install the application from scratch.
Method 7: Create a Firewall Exception for QuickBooks
You can easily create exceptions for your Windows firewall by following the steps below for the QuickBooks program. First, add a firewall port exception for QuickBooks.
- Access the Start menu.
- In the search box, look for Windows Firewall.
- Choose the Advanced Settings.
- Now, right-click on the Inbound Rules.
- Tap on the New Rule option.
- Choose the Port and then choose Next.
- Ensure that the TCP option is selected.
- Under the Specific local port section, enter the specific ports that are needed for the QuickBooks year version:
- QuickBooks Desktop 2020 and later: 8019, XXXXX.
- QuickBooks Desktop 2019: 8019, XXXXX.
- QuickBooks Desktop 2018: 8019, 56728, 55378-55382.
- QuickBooks Desktop 2017: 8019, 56727, 55373-55377
- Once you have entered the port number, choose Next.
- Choose the Allow the connection option.
- Tap on Next.
- Ensure that all the profiles are selected and then tap Next again.
- Make a new rule, allot a name such as “QBPorts(years).”
- Tap on Finish.
Now, follow the steps to create a Windows Firewall exception for the QuickBooks application.
- Open the Windows Start menu.
- Enter Windows Firewall into the search and open Windows Firewall.
- Select Advanced Settings.
- Right-click Inbound Rules.
- Then select the New Rule.
- Select Program and then Next.
- Choose This Program Path and then Browse.
Find and select one of the executable files in the table below.
- Then select Next.
- Select Allow the Connection.
- Then select Next.
- When prompted, make sure all profiles are marked.
- Click on Next.
- Create a rule. Give it a name like QBFirewallException(name.exe).
When performing the steps for outbound rules, the following table is provided to help with the exceptions:
| Executable Files | Location |
| AutoBackupExe.exe | C:\Program Files\Intuit\QUICKBOOKS YEAR |
| Dbmlsync.exe | C:\Program Files\Intuit\QUICKBOOKS YEAR |
| DBManagerExe.exe | C:\Program Files\Intuit\QUICKBOOKS YEAR |
| FileManagement.exe | C:\Program Files\Intuit\QUICKBOOKS YEAR |
| FileMovementExe.exe | C:\Program Files\Intuit\QUICKBOOKS YEAR |
| QuickBooksMessaging.exe | C:\Program Files\Intuit\QUICKBOOKS YEAR |
| QBW32.exe | C:\Program Files\Intuit\QUICKBOOKS YEAR |
| QBDBMgrN.exe | C:\Program Files\Intuit\QUICKBOOKS YEAR |
| QBServerUtilityMgr.exe | C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intuit\QuickBooks |
| QBCFMonitorService.exe | C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intuit\QuickBooks |
| QBLaunch.exe | C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intuit\QuickBooks |
| QBUpdate.exe | C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intuit\QuickBooks\QBUpdate |
| IntuitSyncManager.exe | C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intuit\Sync |
| OnlineBackup.exe | C:\Program Files\QuickBooks Online Backup |
These steps will help you create an exception for the QBDT application if the firewall is blocking your operations.
A Quick Glance at QuickBooks Email Invoices Not Working
In this section, let’s have a summary of what we have talked about in this blog.
| Description | You might notice that the QuickBooks email invoices not working in your QBDT. This problem can halt your operations and slow down your process. |
| Causes Behind it | This issue can be caused by the Windows firewall or antivirus software blocking operations, an outdated QuickBooks version, or misconfigured email settings in your system. |
| Ways to Fix | You can modify the email preferences in QuickBooks to fix the error, run QB as an admin, clean-install the QBDT application, send a test email in MS Word, and check if the troubleshooting methods help you fix the issue you are facing. |
Conclusion
We have discussed the contributing factors that are causing the QuickBooks email invoices not working issue in your application. Additionally, we have added troubleshooting steps to ensure the email invoice is working properly. If you face any further problems with your invoice in QuickBooks, don’t panic and contact our experts at (855)-510-6487 to get a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the steps to check my QuickBooks email setup?
To check the email setup for QB, here are the steps to follow:
1. Access the QuickBooks application.
2. Go to the Edit option.
3. Then tap on the Preferences tab.
4. Choose the Send Forms option.
Ensure the preferred email service is selected and test the connection. If it fails, then update your password, adjust the SMTP settings, or reconnect the email account.
How to allow QuickBooks to email invoices?
When you want to allow the email invoices feature in QB, here’s how:
1. Click on the Main menu.
2. Choose the Email dropdown menu.
3. Click on the Invoice.
4. Look for the invoice message.
5. Tap on Send when ready.
What are the reasons why I am unable to send invoices to QuickBooks?
If QuickBooks fails to send invoices, it usually indicates a problem with email settings, the internet connection, or software configuration. The reasons for the error can include incorrect email preferences, outdated QB versions, or antivirus or firewall blocking outgoing emails.
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.