QuickBooks Data Missing After Update? Recover It Quickly

Is QuickBooks data missing after update on your system? You can explore this verified blog to learn how you can recover all your company file data by using simple, effective, and reliable techniques. 

It is possible that when you open your company file after installing new QB updates, it might appear noticeably slimmer than usual. You might notice that specific sections, such as accounts receivable, accounts payable, and inventory, have significantly less data. Furthermore, you can fail to discover specific transactions, reports, and invoices in the company file. 

The missing company file data can prevent you from completing major business projects. Quite often, your overall productivity and efficiency take a hit. The encouraging fact is that you can effortlessly resolve this problem using simple tactics.

Let’s move into the blog to learn about all the common factors that can cause missing data in QuickBooks and explore how we can recover data using precise techniques.

QB Data Missing After Update? An Overview

QuickBooks Desktop is one of the most technically advanced accounting software available in the global market. It helps you meticulously store financial data and you can effortlessly streamline your daily business operations.

Sometimes, you notice that your company file data has vanished after getting a QuickBooks software update. This is a highly annoying and stressful situation. You notice that your reports, transactions, and relevant invoices have gone missing. 

Furthermore, the company file size might appear to be reduced due to the missing data. You can find that different sections in the company file do not display all the crucial data that previously existed. In some cases, it is even possible to encounter error messages when you attempt to access all the missing data.

It is also possible to notice unexpected behavior within QuickBooks, such as freezing, crashing, or difficulties when navigating across different menus. Moreover, you cannot reconcile your accounts due to the missing data. 

To fix this issue, you need to know about all the prominent factors that can provoke it. Let’s jump to the following section to learn about the major reasons behind QuickBooks data missing after update. 

Why Has QuickBooks Desktop Data Disappeared After Update?

You can review the following points to learn why you cannot find your company file data after updating QuickBooks:

• Many times, new QB Desktop updates do not interact correctly with existing company files, corrupting them and making the information inaccessible.
• Choosing an invalid company file after an update won’t allow you to access all the relevant data.
• If new QB updates have interrupted the ongoing company file data backup process, you will fail to access the required information.
• Software bugs introduced by new QB updates can cause missing company file data.

Now, you can jump to the following section to explore all the relevant techniques to fix this problem

4 Easy Ways to Recover QuickBooks Data Missing After Update

You can effortlessly get back QuickBooks data missing after updates by using the following troubleshooting tactics:

1. Verify the Company File Location

New QB Desktop updates often introduce unexpected changes in the company file location. As a result, you might be unable to open all the relevant company files. You need to verify the precise location of the company file that you intend to access on your system. 

Moreover, you must always open the newest version of the company file. The following steps will help you verify the actual location and version of the company file:

• Open your QB Desktop application and access the No Company Open window.
• After that, click the Find a Company File icon located on the No Company Open window.
• Now, the current locations of all the company files (‘.QBW’) will be displayed on the Find a Company File window.
• You can now discover the precise location of the company file that you intend to access on your system. The standard location of all QB company files is C:\Users\Public\PublicDocuments\Intuit\QuickBooks\CompanyFiles.
• At this point, look at the file name, timestamp, date, or file size to find the latest version of the company file. 
• Finally, you can access the newest version of the relevant company file using your QB Desktop application. 

If you are still unable to access your company file data, you can move to the next solution.

2. Restore the Backup Company File

You can comfortably get back all your QB company file data by restoring the backup company file. Once you restore the backup company file, QB Desktop will create a new company file, allowing you unhindered access to all your data.

The following steps will help you successfully restore the backup company file:

• Access your QB Desktop application window and choose File.
• After that, tap the Open or Restore Company tab and click the Restore a backup copy option.
• Click Next and choose the Local Backup option.
• At this point, tap Next and discover the actual location of the backup company file (‘.QBB’).
• Now, you must choose a separate folder to save the restored company file. Once you have selected a folder, tap Open.
• Finally, tap Save to put the restored company file in the selected folder. 
• You can now access the restored company file to recover all your crucial data.

Are you still unable to recover your company file data? If yes, you can jump to the next solution.

3. Utilize the QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery Feature

You can use the QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery (ADR) feature to obtain all your crucial data. This feature allows you to swiftly recover all your company file data using the transaction log file and a copy of the company file. 

Before using this feature, you need to review some important points related to it:

• You can find the ADR feature only in QuickBooks Pro, Premier, and Enterprise Solutions. 
• You won’t find the ADR feature in QuickBooks Accountant editions.
• The maximum size of the recovered file using the ADR facility is limited to 1.5 Gigabytes. 

Now, you can implement any of the following two processes to recover your QB company file data:

(a) Use the ADR Company File and Original Transaction Log File

• Firstly, create a fresh folder on the Windows desktop and affix a new name to the folder, such as QBNEWTEST.
• Now, access your company file folder and identify the file having the ‘.TLG’ extension. This file will have the same name as your QB company file. 
• At this point, right-click the icon of the ‘.TLG’ file and tap the Copy tab.
• After that, open the QBNEWTEST folder and right-click the empty space to select Paste.
• The ‘.TLG’ file will be pasted into the QBNEWTEST folder.
• You must open the QuickBooksAutoDataRecovery folder on your system. This folder is saved in the same location as your company file.
• Find the file with the ‘.QBW.adr’ extension in the QuickBooksAutoDataRecovery folder.
• After that, you should copy the ‘.QBW.adr’ file and paste it to the QBNEWTEST folder.
• In the QBNEWTEST folder, right-click the ‘.QBW.adr’ file and choose Rename.
• Erase ‘.adr’ from the file name and tap Enter.
• Finally, access QB Desktop and open the company file saved in the QBNEWTEST folder.

If you still cannot get back your data, follow the process mentioned below.

(b) Use the ADR Company File and ADR Transaction Log File

• The first step is to create a new folder on the Windows desktop with a suitable name, such as QBCOMPTEST. 
• Now, access the QuickBooksAutoDataRecovery folder. This folder is available in the same location as your QB company file.
• Inside the QuickBooksAutoDataRecovery folder, identify two files having ‘.TLG.adr’ and ‘.QBW.adr’ as extensions. These files will possess the same name as your QB company file. 
• Now, copy both files (‘.TLG.adr’ and ‘.QBW.adr’) and paste them to the QBCOMPTEST folder.
• Open the QBCOMPTEST folder and erase ‘.adr’ from the names of both files. You will now have two files with ‘.TLG’ and ‘.QBW’ extensions in the QBCOMPTEST folder. 
• Access QB Desktop and seamlessly launch the company file, which is available in the QBCOMPTEST folder.

You can utilize the following method if you are still unable to recover your company file data.

4. Run the Verify and Rebuild Data Utility

It is possible that fresh updates cause internal changes in the company file data. In such cases, it is best to repair the company file so that you can recover all your data. You can remove minor errors from the company file data by repairing it using valid tools. One of the most advanced technical utilities that can detect issues in the company file is the Verify and Rebuild Data utility. The following points describe how you can run this utility on your computer:

• You must access the QB Desktop window to choose the File menu.
• After that, choose Utilities and immediately tap the Verify Data icon.
• You need to allow sufficient time for the Verify Data utility to scan the company file on the system.
• If you receive the ‘QuickBooks detected no problems with your data’ message, it means your company file data is absolutely valid. However, if you receive the ‘Your data has lost integrity’ message, it indicates that you need to repair the company file.
• You must navigate back to the File menu to choose Utilities. 
• After that, tap the Rebuild Data icon, and QB Desktop will ask you to save a new backup file. 
• Tap OK to save a fresh backup file in a relevant folder. After that, the Rebuild Data utility will begin the repair process for your company file.
• When you receive the ‘Rebuild has completed’ message, it means that your company file has been repaired.
• You can now access all your company file data using the QB Desktop application.

Winding Up

In this extensive article, we have thoroughly discussed reliable strategies to recover your QuickBooks data missing after update. Hopefully, you can now access all your company file data for various business projects. If, however, you are still failing to access your company file data, or if you want more assistance, dial Asquare cloud hosting helpline number to connect with a QuickBooks professional.

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Oriana Zabell

Oriana Zabell, a professional cloud engineer, has over three years of experience in desktop, online QuickBooks support and troubleshooting. She is currently working as a cloud hosting consultant with Asquare Cloud Hosting. She loves to read and write about the latest technologies such as cloud computing, AI, DaaS, small businesses, manufacturing. When not writing, she is either reading novels or is indulged in a debate with movie fanatics.