QuickBooks Not Opening Properly – Disappears or Minimizes

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Sometimes, you may find QuickBooks open but not showing. For example, let’s say you double-click the QB Desktop icon to launch it. The screen flashes, but as soon as it opens, it disappears. You might be able to see the QB icon on the taskbar, which implies that the application is open. However, it stays minimized, and you cannot see the QuickBooks Desktop window.

In this blog, we will explore an instance of QuickBooks Desktop not opening properly – when the QuickBooks screen flashes and then disappears as soon as opened. We will then guide you with the solutions you should run to fix it.

However, if your QuickBooks shuts down or crashes unexpectedly, you will need to check another article of ours.

Although this guide will prove useful when QuickBooks shows running but will not open, to save time and for guaranteed resolution, contact an expert. They have a track record of resolving such issues in less than an hour. Dial +1(855)-738-0359 and connect to an expert!

Reasons Why QuickBooks Shows Running But Will Not Open

There are various reasons why QuickBooks doesn’t open properly, or it opens but doesn’t show up, like:

• QuickBooks lacks adequate permission to run
• The QuickBooks program is damaged or corrupt
• There is data damage to the QB company file
• QBWUSER.ini file or EntitlementDataStore.ecml File is damaged or needs to be recreated
• Your computer is connected to multiple displays, and QuickBooks is open on a different display
• QuickBooks installation files or Windows components or registry are damaged.

However, this is not all, and you might find that the issue sometimes has a different cause.

Salient Ways to Fix QuickBooks Open But Not Showing Issue

In this section, we will walk you through proven solutions to run if you find QuickBooks open but not showing.

However, before you begin, download and install QuickBooks Tool Hub on your system. Developed by Intuit, the tool hub contains various tools you will need to run when carrying out the solutions listed below.

Once done, let us begin troubleshooting.

1. Restart QuickBooks Desktop

To fix the QuickBooks open but not showing issue, try restarting the application. To do so, use the above-given steps in the box to end tasks for QuickBooks programs.

Once done, restart the application. If you still find that QuickBooks flashes and then disappears, shut down the computer and switch it on again.

Now launch QuickBooks Desktop and check if it works smoothly. However, if the QuickBooks Desktop screen disappears after opening, proceed to the next step.

2. Run QuickBooks as Administrator

Let’s check whether the issue is due to launching QuickBooks with inadequate permissions.

1. To do so, close all QuickBooks windows.
2. Now, open the Start menu and locate QuickBooks.
3. Right-click on QuickBooks and click on Run as administrator.
4. If asked for the admin password, provide the same.

Check if QuickBooks opens properly now. If it seems to start, but you can’t see it, we need to perform further troubleshooting.

3. Repair QuickBooks Program

QuickBooks might not work properly if there is damage to the program. To resolve that, we will run two tools from the Tool Hub:

1. Quick Fix my Program
2. QuickBooks Program Diagnostic Tool

Now that you have installed QuickBooks Tool Hub, open it and carry out the steps below.

However, before you do so, end all QuickBooks tasks by following the instructions given in the box above Solution 1.

• Go to the tab for Program Problems.
• Tap on Quick Fix my Program.
• Once done, go back to the Program Problems tab.
• Now, select QuickBooks Program Diagnostic Tool and let it run. It might take around 15 to 20 minutes.

Once it finishes, open the Start menu and double-click the QB icon to launch it. However, if QuickBooks open but not showing, proceed to the next solution.

4. Add .Old at the End of QBWUSER.ini File

Let us do a quick refresh by erasing the list of previously opened company files from QuickBooks’s memory.

Note: When you rename the QBWUSER.ini file, you will need to manually open the company files in QuickBooks.

To do so, we will need to rename the QBWUSER.ini file.

• Close any QuickBooks windows open.
• Open File Explorer by pressing the Windows + E keys together.
• Now, navigate to the folder where the QBWUSER.ini and other QuickBooks Data is

The default location for this folder usually is: \Users[Your user name]\AppData\Local\Intuit\QuickBooks [year].

• If you go to the QuickBooks folder and can’t find the QBWUSER.ini file, you will need to enable hidden files and folders.
• Right-click on the QBWUSER.ini file and then click Rename.
• At the end of the file name, after the extension, add .old. The new name should become QBWUSER.ini.old

Now, relaunch QuickBooks Desktop and check if it opens without an issue. However, if the QB screen flashes and disappears, continue reading.

5. Add .Old at the End of EntitlementDataStore.ecml File

Have you enabled the hidden files and folder settings in Solution 4? If not so, go back to solution 4 and enable the same before proceeding with the instructions below.

When you are ready, follow these steps to rename the EntitlementDataStore.ecml file.

• Close any open QuickBooks window.
• Open the Start menu and type in ‘run’ in the search box.
• Select the Run program.
• Copy C:\ProgramData\Intuit\Entitlement Client\v8 and paste it into the box in the run window. Hit Enter.
• Locate the EntitlementDataStore.ecml file and right-click on it.
• Now, tap on Rename.
• At the end of the file name, after the extension, add .old. The new name should be EntitlementDataStore.ecml.OLD

Launch QuickBooks Desktop. Does it start normally now or is QuickBooks open but not showing? If you find the issue persists, move to the next solution.

6. Utilize the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool

If QuickBooks doesn’t start or crashes occasionally, an incomplete or damaged installation could be the culprit. To fix that, we will utilize the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool.

• Launch QB Tool Hub and go to the Installation Issues tab.
• Tap on QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool.
• Pour yourself a cup of tea and wait patiently while the tool repairs the QuickBooks installation.

Once it finishes, you need to restart the computer. Now, open QuickBooks Desktop and see if the error has been resolved.

7. Check the FISP Settings (for Windows 10 Pro and Higher)

Often, FISP settings are required for company operations, and thus, they might be enabled in your system. Let us disable the System Cryptography FIPS to resolve the QuickBooks open but not showing issue.

Note: Do not disable FIPS, if required by your company. Consult your IT advisor or a technician before you do so.

• Open the Start menu and type in Run.
• Select Run program.
• Type in GPEDIT.MSC.
• From the Local Computer Policy window, choose Computer Configuration
• Tap on Windows Settings, followed by Security Settings.
• Go to Local Policies and click on Security Options.
• Choose System Cryptography FIPS.
• Ensure that it is enabled, restart the computer, and launch QuickBooks Desktop.

Is the QuickBooks window visible now? If it minimizes or disappears, continue troubleshooting.

8. Check the Right Display in Case of Multiple Displays

It is possible that QuickBooks open but not showing because it is open on another display. This can be the case if your computer is connected to multiple displays.

Let us help you select the right display.

• Close QuickBooks Desktop
• Press Windows + P.
• Tap on the PC screen only.
• Now, relaunch the QuickBooks.

However, if you still can’t see the QuickBooks screen, let us show you the right way to reinstall it.

9. Clean Install QuickBooks Desktop

Clean installing QuickBooks is different than reinstalling it. In this, first we rid your system of damaged or corrupt components and then reinstall QB Desktop.

This gives you a fresh start and helps you troubleshoot many errors. Therefore, go ahead and clean install QuickBooks Desktop.

Wrapping It Up

In this guide, we saw why is QuickBooks open but not showing. We then saw various solutions to carry out when you find QuickBooks not opening properly.

However, QuickBooks issues can often be difficult to resolve and need technical assistance. Therefore, if you were unable to repair your QB, don’t be discouraged, an expert will help you. Dial +1(855)-738-0359 and connect to a QB expert!

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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.