QuickBooks is a useful yet complex accounting software that could face several technical issues from time to time. All of its features and complexities, along with the user data, are stored and function through the company file. If QuickBooks cannot allocate the company file itself, the whole software could come to a standstill point. One such error message is – “QuickBooks cannot use the path to open the company file,” and it could show up due to several causes. Just like the causes, it has numerous solutions discussed in the blog below.
Users with a non-technical background may encounter the data file error message – “QuickBooks cannot use the path to open the company file” might need some external assistance from an expert to guide them through the troubleshooting process. Get one by calling on Asquare Cloud Hosting Helpline Number at any time.
Why I Cannot Open Company File in QuickBooks Desktop?
If a user cannot open their company file in QuickBooks, there could be multiple reasons behind the problem. Some of them are mentioned below.
- The QuickBooks is not updated to its latest release.
- The user is confusing the company with some other file having the same name as the data file and trying to open it instead.
- One or more workstations have hosting enabled along with the host server.
- The host server does not have multi-user hosting access turned on.
- There are some issues with the network data and transaction log files.
- The company file is either compressed or encrypted by someone.
- QuickBooks is freezing at the beginning due to several large files are also opening with it.
- The file location (folder) of the company file is corrupted or damaged.
- There might be some program issues with the QuickBooks software.
- Some damaged installation files are causing the error while opening the company file.
- There might be some data damage in the company file.
How To Fix QuickBooks Cannot Use The Path To Open The Company File Issue?
Below are mentioned are different solutions for you to try if you are receiving the QB error message – “QuickBooks cannot use the path to open the company file”.
Solution- 1: Update QuickBooks Desktop to its Latest Release
It could be possible that a bug from the last update of QuickBooks is blocking access to the company file. So, try to resolve the issue by updating the QB Desktop to the latest version via the given steps.
- Exit from the company files and QuickBooks and go to the desktop.
- Right-click on the QB icon and click on Run as an administrator while pressing the CTRL-key.
- Don’t release the key until the No Company Open screen comes up.
- Click on the Help menu and choose Update QuickBooks Desktop.
- Under the Options tab, click on Mark All and select Save.
- Navigate to the Update Now tab and click on the Reset Update checkbox.
- Select Get Updates and restart QuickBooks once the update is downloaded.
- Select Yes when the install prompt comes up on the screen.
- After the updates are installed, reboot the system.
- Open QuickBooks and try to open the company file again. If it is still not opening, move on to the next solution.
Note: To set up automatic updates for QuickBooks Desktop, follow our blog on the “Update QuickBooks Desktop to Latest Version 2021,2022,2023”.
Solution- 2: Ensure if You’re Opening the Correct File
There are various files with the same name as your company file but with different extensions like the backup file (company_file.qbb), portable files (company_file.qbm), auto data recovery file (company_file.qbw.adr), etc. It is possible that instead of the company file, you are opening one of these files. Make sure that you open the data file with only .qbw extension at the end of its name. If the problem “QuickBooks Won’t Open Company File” is not resolved, try the next solution.
Solution- 3: Check Whether the Issue is with Company File or QuickBooks
If the error is causing due to an issue in the QuickBooks program, then you need to follow a different set of solutions to fix the problem. To figure out the root of the problem, follow the steps below.
- Go to the Windows File Explorer and click on Computer.
- Type QuickBooks.exe under the Search Computer field and press Enter.
- Double-click on the QuickBooks.exe file while holding the CTRL key on your keyboard.
- Keep pressing the CTRL key until the No Company Open screen comes up.
- Click on your company file and select Open.
- If QuickBooks cannot open company file, perform the steps again and select Open a sample file this time.
If QuickBooks opens the sample file, then continue with the solutions below. However, if it cannot open the sample file either, then the issue lies with the QuickBooks program. To resolve them, download and install QuickBooks tool hub and clean install QuickBooks using the clean install tool. More tools that you can use within the tool hub to resolve the issues are stated below.
- Go to QuickBooks Tool Hub and click on Program Problems.
- Choose Quick Fix my Program, and once the tool finishes running, restart QuickBooks.
- Open the QuickBooks Tool Hub and select Installation Issues from the left pane.
- Click on QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool and let the tool run until it closes down automatically. Do not exit it manually.
- Restart QuickBooks and try to open the company file.
Another solution that you can try to resolve the issues with the QuickBooks program is to run a repair of the damaged installation files through the Windows Repair utility. To know how to run the utility, follow our article on QuickBooks Error 1328 and follow its third solution.
Solution- 4: Stop the Hosting Access on the Workstation/s
When one or multiple workstations are set to host company access, QuickBooks fails to recognize the path to the original location of the company file. To resolve the problem, follow the steps below to disable the unnecessary hosting access and restart the multi-user mode.
Step- 1: Turn Off the Access on Workstations
- Start QuickBooks on every workstation and don’t open the company file yet.
- Click on the File menu and select Utilities.
- Select Stop Hosting Multi-User Access on every workstation showing this option.
Step- 2: Start the Hosting Access on the Server
- Start QuickBooks on the server computer and select the File menu.
- Click on Utilities and select the Host Multi-User Access option.
- Repeat the steps and select Stop Hosting Multi-User Access to reset the multi-user mode.
- Repeat the same steps one last time to turn it back on by clicking on the Host Multi-User Access.
- Open QuickBooks and check if you can access the company file or not. If the answer is later, move on to the next solution.
Solution- 5: Update the Names of the .ND and .TLG Files
The network data and transaction log files are responsible for information dispersal in the multi-user mode. If the files get corrupted or damaged in any way, it could reflect badly on the company file access from the server. The users can rename these files to resolve the issue, as QuickBooks will automatically create fresh files after the user opens the company file.
- Go to the Windows File Explorer and navigate to your company file folder.
- Search for the files with the same name as your company file but with different additional formats, namely- .ND and .TLG.
- Right-click on either of the two files and click on Rename.
- Add the word .XYZ at the end of the file’s name.
- Perform the last two steps for the other file as well and open QuickBooks.
- Run your company file again to create the new .ND and .TLG files automatically.
Note: If you are still unable to open your company file, rename the data file and the .TLG file to anything, but within three letters without changing the original extensions of the files. Do not rename the .ND file.
Solution- 6: Verify the File Properties of the Company File
If the company file is configured as compressed or encrypted by Windows, then QuickBooks cannot find the file with the designated path. The user has to reconfigure the settings by following the given steps.
- Exit from the QuickBooks and go to File Explorer.
- Look for your company file [Company Name.QBW] by searching for it on the Search Computer field.
- Right-click on the data file and choose Properties.
- Click on Advanced and make sure that the checkboxes against Compress and Encrypt are unchecked.
- Click on OK to save and exit.
- Reopen QuickBooks and open the data file to check if the error is gone. If it still comes up, try the next solution.
Solution- 7: Deactivate the Save When Closing Feature in QuickBooks
Some users set the QuickBooks settings to pop up certain files and reports as soon as the QB Desktop starts. If those files are large enough, they could freeze QuickBooks and prevent it from opening the company file. To discontinue the feature, follow the steps mentioned below. Double-click on the QB icon on the desktop while pressing the CTRL-key. Don’t let go of the key until the No Company Open screen comes up.
- Double-click on the QB icon on the desktop while pressing the CTRL-key. Don’t let go of the key until the No Company Open screen comes up.
- Choose your company from the list and click on Open while holding down the ALT key. Don’t release the key until a log-in window comes up asking for your QB credentials.
- Enter your password and click on OK while pressing the ALT key.
- Click on the Edit menu and choose Preferences.
- Click on the Desktop View tab and deactivate the Save when closing feature by choosing the Don’t save the desktop option.
- Select OK and exit from QuickBooks.
- Restart QuickBooks and try to open the company file again. In case of no relief, try the next solution.
Solution- 8: Copy the Company File to a New Location
When the file path to open the company file is compromised, the user can copy the data file to another location and open it from there. If the file opens, then it implies that the file location was at fault. Its procedure and the after-steps are mentioned below.
- Go to File Explorer and navigate to the company file folder.
- Right-click on the company file and choose Copy.
- Go to your desktop and right-click on some empty space anywhere.
- Click on Paste and right-click on the copied company file to Rename it.
- Put an easy name on it or just write TEST and press Enter.
- Go to QuickBooks and click on the File menu.
- Choose Open or restore company and click on the copied company file on the desktop.
- Select Open, and if the company file opens, then the company file folder or the file location is the issue.
- Now, Cut the copied company file and place it at the original location along with the old company file.
- For your reference, rename the old company file to avoid confusion between the two data files.
Also Read: Best 6 Methods To Resolve QuickBooks Error 6177.
Solution 9: Open a sample company file on your device
To determine whether your company file or Quickbooks is having issues; you can try to open a sample file.
- Now, start the process by opening the start menu from your Windows Desktop.
- Next, hold “Ctrl” on the keyboard and then choose the QB icon. And do not let go of the button until the software opens.
- Lastly, you will have to choose the “open a sample file” option and wait for it to open.
Note: If in this process you are unable to open Quickbooks or the sample file- it means the program is posing issues. And you can rest assured that it isn’t your company file.
Solution 10: Refrain saving the desktop while closing your Quickbooks
Keep in mind that if you close the company file on your desktop. Quickbooks may re-open the window that wasn’t closed properly. So in this case, if there are multiple or large windows that open automatically, your device or software might freeze while starting up.
Here is how you can open the company files without saved windows.
- Firstly you will have to launch your Quickbooks Desktop.
- Go to the “no company open” tab and then select the company file there.
- Now, press the “alt” button on the keyboard and then click on the “open” tab option.
Note: Make sure that you do not leave the key until the file opens. There are chances that you might have to sign into your software using the password. After this, you should press and also keep holding “alt” after which you need to choose “Ok.”
If you are able to open the company file successfully; then just turn off the option “save the desktop” in “closing preferences.” And then just follow these steps.
- Navigate to the “edit” tab and just click on “preferences.”
- Next, you need to choose “desktop view” and then “don’t save the desktop.”
- After this, list choose “Ok” and close our software.
- Reboot the system and then open Quickbooks once again. After that you will have to try opening the company file.
If you are able to open the company file, you are good to go. The problem is fixed.
Additional Solutions for you to Follow
If none of the solutions above work out, then there might be some data damage in the company file, which must be repaired through any of these two methods and you don’t see the message”QuickBooks Cannot use the Path to Open the Company File” Error.:
- Run the QuickBooks File Doctor from the Tool Hub first. Follow our blog on how to use the QuickBooks File Doctor utility to understand its know-how. If it doesn’t help, go to the final solution below.
- Try repairing the data of your company file using the verify and rebuild data utility. To perform the troubleshooting, read our blog on the error message “QuickBooks Database Maintenance Repair is in Progress” and follow its third solution.
Need Technical Assistance
Before we conclude our blog on the error message – “QuickBooks cannot use the path to open the company file”, we would like to share one last resort with our readers. If the language of the solutions was too technical or none of the solutions worked out on your system to remove the problem, then call on Asquare Cloud Hosting Helpline Number at +1 855.738.0359 and get immediate assistance on the issue anytime.
FAQ’s
Ans: A company file in QuickBooks is a file that stores all of the financial information related to a business. This includes data such as customer information, vendor information, sales and expenses, employee information, banking information, and more. It is the central database of a business’s financials and is used to generate financial reports and manage all of the business’s finances.
Ans: The path to the company file in QuickBooks is typically located in the Documents folder on the computer. The exact path depends on the version of QuickBooks and the operating system being used. Generally, the path is C:\Users\[user name]\Documents\Intuit\QuickBooks\Company Files.
Ans: 1. Open QuickBooks and go to the File menu.
2. Select Open or Restore Company.
3. Choose Open a Company File and click Next.
4. Select the option to Open a Company File located on another computer.
5. Click Next and enter the new file path in the Open a Company File window.
6. Click Open and the company file path should be changed.
Ans: The file path for a document in QuickBooks can be found by navigating to the File menu, selecting Utilities, and then selecting Document Centre. This will open the Document Centre window and the path for the document will be listed next to the document name.
