QuickBooks Multi-User Mode Not Working? How to Resolve It

QuickBooks comes with an outstanding functionality that makes it one of the most sought-after accounting software for small businesses – the ability to work in a multi-user environment. In the multi-user mode, a computer hosts the company file, and users on other computers in the network work on the same company file simultaneously.  

However, sometimes users find QuickBooks multi-user mode not working. Users need to have a QuickBooks License on their workstations to access the multi-user mode feature. It involves multiple components to work coherently. Slight failure in any of these components can lead to the QuickBooks multi-user mode not working. 

You might see an error when you try to open a company file located on the server computer. Sometimes, you won’t see the error, but QuickBooks will continue to open in single-user mode. Let’s explore various reasons why QuickBooks multi-user mode stops working. Then, we will go through the recommended solutions to fix the issue on both Windows and Mac computers.

Reasons Why QuickBooks Multi-User Mode Stops Working

Several reasons, such as inconsistent network settings, can result in QuickBooks multi-user mode not working. However, there are other possible causes as well. Below, we have listed most of them.

Here are some possible reasons why is QuickBooks multi-user mode not working:

1. You might not have installed QuickBooks on the server computer.
2. Windows Firewall or antivirus software is restricting QB from communicating with the other computers on the network..
3. QuickBooks Database Server Manager is unable to access your QuickBooks company file.
4. Windows file permissions are not set correctly.
5. Incorrect hosting settings on the QuickBooks Desktop application.
6. Corrupt or incorrect DNS settings might also be the reason why QuickBooks freezes when switching to multi-user mode.

Solutions to QuickBooks Multi-user Mode Not Working [Windows]

Now as you know the various reasons why QuickBooks multi-user mode not working let us go about addressing the issue. We have listed down detailed solutions. Carry out the instructions given in order. 

However, before you begin, you will need to update QuickBooks Desktop and Windows. Moreover, download and install QuickBooks Tool Hub on your system.

Note: If you get QuickBooks error H202 while switching to multi-user mode, we have dedicated a separate guide to that.  Learn how to resolve QuickBooks error H202.

1. Use the QuickBooks File Doctor Tool

QuickBooks File Doctor has the ability to check your company file and network for issues and repair them. This can prove helpful in fixing multi-user mode issues in QuickBooks.

Let us show you how to run QuickBooks File Doctor to check the company file and network.

• Launch QuickBooks Tool Hub. (If you haven’t installed QB Tool Hub on your computer, do that.)
• Go to the tab for Company File Issues.
• Tap on Run QuickBooks File Doctor button.
• QuickBooks File Doctor will appear in a minute or two. If it doesn’t, open the Start menu, type in QuickBooks File Doctor, and open the tool from there.
• In the File Doctor window, select the right company file. If you can’t see your company file in the drop-down list, click on Browse and search to locate the data file. 
• Now, choose Check your file and network. Hit Enter.
• Type in your admin password and click on Next.

Let the File Doctor scan your company file and repair it. Once it is done, it might say the scan was unsuccessful, even though it fixed the multi-user mode issues you were facing. Therefore, launch QuickBooks and log in to your company file. Check if the multi-user mode is working fine now.

If the problem persists, let us verify the folder permissions on the host computer

2: Verify the Folder Permission on the Server Computer

Ensure that the folders hosting your company file have the right permissions so that you can access it through other systems on the network. To make sure the folder permissions are set correctly or not, you may proceed with the below-mentioned steps:

• Open File Explorer and go to the location of the folder that contains your company file.
• Right-click on the folder and select the Properties option.
• Go to the Advanced tab and select ‘QBDataServiceUserXX’.
• Now, click on Edit, followed by Allow all the important settings option.
• Once you have corrected the settings, enable hosting on your server computer as well.

To do so, you may follow the below-given steps:

• Go to the File menu and click on the Utilities section.
• Now, click on the Host Multi-User Access option.
• At last, click on Yes to confirm the changes.

Is the QuickBooks multi user mode not working issue resolved now? If you continue to face a problem working on your company file in a multi-user environment, proceed to the next step.

3: Rename the *.TLG and the *.ND Files

Network data (.ND) and transaction log files (.TLG) are the configuration files that help QuickBooks connect and open the company file. Slight damage in any of these files can restrict you from accessing the company file in QuickBooks and, thus, results in QuickBooks multi-user mode not working issue.

Let us try to rename these files by following the steps below. This will create a new copy of these files and help us resolve if QuickBooks keeps opening in single-user mode or doesn’t work in multi-user mode.

• Login to the QuickBooks Desktop company file.
• Press F2 key on the Home page to open the Product Information window.
• You will find the location of your Company File under File Information. The .TLG and .QBW.ND files are found in the same folder.

• Right-click the above-mentioned files to rename them.

Now, restart your QuickBooks Desktop and check if the multi-user mode works perfectly now.

4: Utilize QuickBooks Database Server Manager

QuickBooks Database Server Manager allows you to easily access the multi-user mode. This enables multiple users to work on the same company file by sharing it with other computers over your network. 

When you install QuickBooks Desktop on the server to host the company file, QuickBooks Database Server Manager is automatically installed on the computer. 

Run the QuickBooks database server manager and scan for the company file on the server computer. This will help you resolve the QuickBooks multi-user mode not working error.

5:  Verify the Services on your Server

Several applications are running in the background that help QuickBooks to run efficiently in multi-user mode. You might face difficulties running QuickBooks in multi-user mode if any of these services stop running or functions automatically stop when Windows starts. You may also end up with QuickBooks multi-user mode not working.

However, by following the below-given steps, you can make sure that the QB database service is set to run automatically:

• Click on the Windows icon and type Run in the search box next to the Start menu to open the Run command window.
• Type services.msc into the Run window and press the Enter key.

• Double-click on the QuickbooksDBXX.
• Set the Startup type to Automatic. Make sure that the service status is set to either Running or Started..

• Go to the Recovery tab and click on Restart the Service from the drop-down menu in case of First failure, Second failure, and Subsequent failures.

• Lastly, click on Apply, followed by OK to save the changes.

Once done, repeat the same steps for QBCFMonitorService.

6: Configure the Windows Firewall Settings

QuickBooks can’t communicate with the server computer or workstations if the Windows firewall or antivirus restricts it.

Let us re-configure Windows Firewall settings to allow QuickBooks to run in multi-user mode and fix the QuickBooks multi-user mode not working issue.

• Click on the Windows icon and go to the Control panel.
• Search for Windows Firewall and press the Enter key.

• Click on Allow an app through the Windows Firewall option.

• Now, click on the change settings option and checkmark the box under the Public list for the QuickBooks application. Then, click on OK.
• Lastly, select Public for the application.

Now, try to run QuickBooks in the multi-user mode once again. If the problem persists, create firewall exceptions for QuickBooks.

7: Add your Server to Windows Host File

Try to access the windows hosts file by using the Notepad on the computer that has encountered a multi-user mode issue.

• The host file is located at: C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\Etc).
• If required, you may open the Notepad as an Admin.
• Further, you need to type the server’s IP address after the last IP address.
• Now, press the Tab key and type in the server name.
• Go to the File menu, and from there, click on Save, followed by Exit.

However, if the QuickBooks multi-user mode not working issue continues to arise, move to the next solution.

8: Ping your Server from a Workstation

Note: Before following the steps below, ensure to turn on the Network Discovery on the server and workstations.

• Click on the Start menu and. Now, type Network in the search box and open Network and Sharing Center.

• Now, click Change Advanced Sharing Settings and select the Turn on Network Discovery and File and Printer Sharing option from the drop-down menu.

• Further, note down the name of your server.
• Press the Windows+R key simultaneously to open the Run window, type CMD in the text space, and press the Enter key.
• Type ipconfig/all text in the CMD window and press the Enter key.

• Note down the Host and server Name.
• To test the server, go to the workstation. Click on the Start menu and open the Run command window. Type CMD in the text space
• Then, type “ping_[your server name],” and press the Enter key. Make sure to type in the server name without the brackets.

Note: Repeat the above steps on all the workstations that are unable to run QuickBooks in multi-user mode. This will tell you if your workstations are connected to the server via network.

Solutions to Fix Multi-User Mode Issues [MacOS]

That was how to fix multi-user mode not working in QuickBooks Desktop for Windows. However, the steps to troubleshoot multi-user mode issues on QuickBooks Desktop for Mac are different.

Learn how to fix QuickBooks multi-user mode issues in MacOS.

Conclusion

This was all about why is QuickBooks multi-user mode not working and how to resolve it. Carry out the solutions given in this guide carefully. However, if you find that the issue persists, reach out to an Asquare Cloud Hosting expert.

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Alastor Moody

Alastor Moody is an Author at Asquare Cloud Hosting with experience in technical and functional writing. He loves travelling for adventure and fun.

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QuickBooks Multi-User Mode Not Working? Easy Fixes to Get Your Team Back on Track

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Struggling with QuickBooks Multi-User Mode not working? Discover effective solutions here to troubleshoot and resolve multi-user mode issues, ensuring seamless collaboration and productivity for your team.

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Alastor Moody

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AsquareCloudHosting

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