A Guide on “QuickBooks is Unable to Complete This Operation and Needs to Restart” Error

Often, when you are carrying out crucial operations, you might find QuickBooks not able to complete them and shut down with an error message. Here’s what the error message might look like on the screen:

However, users may find out that QuickBooks doesn’t restart. Some users also notice that a Windows box pops up with this error message on the screen:

Then a Windows dialog box appeared that says
“*** FATAL ERROR *** (M=2188, L=1145, C=315, V=0 (0x0))”

This differs from instances when QuickBooks crashes unexpectedly without a message or warning. In this blog, we will explore why QuickBooks can’t complete an operation and how to resolve that. Alright, then, let’s dive right in.

However, we recommend you save time and get an expert to repair your QuickBooks right away. Dial +1(855)-738-0359 and speak to a QB expert now!

Possible Reasons Why QuickBooks Can’t Complete This Operation

Let us look at several reasons why QuickBooks is unable to complete this operation and needs to restart.

• It could be that the company file is damaged or corrupt.
• The QuickBooks program might be damaged, or the installation files and crucial components might be missing or corrupted.
• The error can come up due to an incomplete installation of QuickBooks Desktop.
• QB might stop working or shut down if the software is outdated
• Now, we will proceed to troubleshoot the ‘QuickBooks is unable to complete this operation and needs to restart’ error.

Troubleshooting Error: QuickBooks is Unable to Complete This Operation…

In this section, we have outlined the steps to repair the QuickBooks Desktop program so that you can resume your operations flawlessly. Follow the instructions given, and do not hesitate to reach out to an expert whenever the need be.

1. Update QuickBooks Application

You should begin with installing the latest updates for QuickBooks Desktop. This ensures your computer has the latest software components and security patches, not to mention new features that developers may roll out once in a while.

The following blogs can help you: Update QuickBooks Desktop To Latest Release 2024 – Explained

2. Quick Fix the Program

To resolve issues with QuickBooks, let us run Quick Fix my Program. This can often fix many errors. However, to do so, you will need QuickBooks Tool Hub installed on your system.

1. Launch QuickBooks Tool Hub.
2. Now, go to the tab for Company File Issues.
3. Click on the Run Quick Fix my Program button.
4. Now, restart the QB Desktop application and check if the error you faced earlier is resolved.

3. Repair QuickBooks Program

A damaged or corrupt program is often the reason why you get the error message stating QuickBooks is unable to complete this operation.

Therefore, it becomes essential to repair your QuickBooks Desktop. Assuming you have QB Tool Hub installed, follow the steps below:

• Open QB Tool Hub
• Go to the Program Problems tab.
• Now, click on the Run QuickBooks Program Diagnostic Tool option.
• It might take a while before the tool is finished repairing the QB program.

Once it is done, restart QuickBooks and resume your operation. Check if the error is taken care of.

4. Verify and Rebuild Company Data

The reason why you see the error message, “QuickBooks is unable to complete this operation and needs to restart” is because there is damage or corruption in the company file.

To fix that, run the QuickBooks Verify and Rebuild utility on the company file. When it is done, restart QB and log in to the company file. If the error persists, move on to the next solution on how to re-sort the list.

5. Resort the Lists

Another thing you can do to fix the data damage on the company file is to sort the list again.

Note: Once you sort a particular list, you will need to close and reopen the company file.

a.) Customer List

Here is how to re-sort the customer list in QuickBooks Desktop.

1. Go to the Customer Center.
2. From the left menu, select Edit.
3. Now, tap on the Re-sort list.
4. When you get the prompt stating, “Are you sure you want to return this list to its original order?”, select OK.

b.) Master List

Let us now guide you in re-sorting the master list in QuickBooks Desktop.

• Go to the Banking menu.
• Click on Write Checks.
• Hover the cursor over the Pay to the Order Of section.
• Press the Ctrl + L key on your keyboard, which will open the Master Name list.
• Check and make sure you have selected All Names at the bottom of the list. (If you are using an older version of QuickBooks Desktop, you should be able to see Include Inactive at the bottom instead.)
• From the left menu, select Edit.
• Now, tap on the Re-sort list.
• When you get the prompt stating, “Are you sure you want to return this list to its original order?”, select OK.

c.) Chart of Accounts

Now, we will learn how to re-sort the chart of accounts in QuickBooks Desktop.

1. Open the Lists menu.
2. Now, tap on Chart of Accounts.
3. Check and make sure you have selected All Names at the bottom of the list. (If you are using an older version of QuickBooks Desktop, you should be able to see Include Inactive at the bottom instead.)
4. From the left menu, select Edit.
5. Now, tap on the Re-sort list.
6. When you get the prompt stating, “Are you sure you want to return this list to its original order?”, select OK.

d.) Item and Class List

Finally, here’s how to re-sort the item and class list in QuickBooks Desktop.

• Go to the Item or Class list.
• Choose Edit from the left menu.
• Tap on Re-sort List.
• When you see the prompt stating, “Are you sure you want to return this list to its original order?” choose OK.

Now, restart QuickBooks Desktop and login to the company file. If you get the error message stating “QuickBooks is unable to complete this operation and needs to restart” yet again, continue to the next solution.

Recommended To Read: Fix QuickBooks Abort Error- Why QB Keeps Aborting or Crashing

6. Repair QuickBooks Installation

QuickBooks will crash or freeze suddenly or not work properly if the installation files or required components are damaged. To fix that, you need to run the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool from the tool hub.

1. Launch QuickBooks Tool Hub.
2. Go to the tab for Installation Issues.
3. Now, tap on the Run QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool button.
4. The tool will run a repair on the installation files and required Windows components to run QuickBooks.
5. Once it is done, you will need to restart the computer.
6. Finally, launch QuickBooks Desktop and sign into the company file.

Carry out your accounting operations as you usually would. If the error comes up yet again, carry out the next solution.

7. Repair QuickBooks Desktop from the Control Panel

Another way to repair QuickBooks Desktop is by using the control panel. Let us show you how to do that:

• Open the Start menu and type in Control Panel. Hit Enter.
• Double-tap the Control Panel when you see it to open it.
• Now tap on the Programs and Features option.
• Find QuickBooks Desktop from the list and right-click on it.
• Now, choose repair.
• Proceed with the on-screen instructions to repair QuickBooks Desktop.

Once done, open QuickBooks Desktop and check if it works properly now.

8. Clean Install QuickBooks

If nothing worked, a fresh start would. Clean installation gets rid of the damaged or corrupted components that are causing issues.

Therefore, clean install QuickBooks Desktop, and then sign into your company file. Check if the error you faced earlier is resolved.

Final Words

In this guide, we learned how to repair QuickBooks Desktop and resolve errors. However, if you find that still QuickBooks is unable to complete this operation and needs to restart, reach out to an expert. They will repair QuickBooks Desktop so that you can work on it flawlessly. Dial +1(855)-738-0359 and speak to a QB expert now.

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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.