QuickBooks Won’t Open? Here’s How to Open It Again

Even after multiple attempts, if your QuickBooks won’t open, it can be frustrating in a situation where you need to complete a task. However, we have all experienced a problem where another application also stops working on our computer. Because QuickBooks is also an application, it is not a big issue that can’t be resolved. Most probably, you can fix this too.

You should understand first that behind these troubles, QuickBooks is not always responsible. To resolve this, we must identify some of the causes that contribute to it. If you have recently made a sudden change related to this software, then this problem could occur.

This detailed guide will tell you how to troubleshoot this issue from your QB Desktop. It will enhance your understanding of this issue. Additionally, you will gain insights to protect the QBDT from being disrupted by these kinds of interruptions.

While troubleshooting it, you may not be aware of the technical aspects of this problem. In that case, you can contact us at +1(855)-738-0359. The dedicated team of professionals will be happy to fix this issue for you.

Common Potent Reason Behind QuickBooks Won’t Open

Here, we will discuss some of the most common and potential reasons why QuickBooks won’t open. It is just as important as resolving it, because these causes help you understand why it occurred. Let’s dive into this as the first step in determining the disturbance.

• Maybe you tapped on the QuickBooks icon multiple times, and it didn’t get a chance to load
• A faulty or corrupt QB data file might be why it doesn’t open
• A damaged data file can make this software inaccessible
• Program-related problems can also prevent you from opening the QBDT
• When you perform an incompatible update of the operating system or a third-party application, it can impact the operations you intend to perform
• You might be using an outdated version of QuickBooks can also create these issues
• If you are saving company files with lengthy names, it could be the reason
• A corrupted hard drive is another trigger for this problem
• In the case you are using a damaged Windows component, that can make your QuickBooks inaccessible after updating it
• Incorrect data formatting can also block your QuickBooks from opening
• An inactive subscription can also stop you from using the QBDT

The given was a list of some of the most common reasons why you are not able to open the QB Desktop.

Related Post: Resolve QuickBooks Won’t Open Company File After Update

Here is the List of Minimum Computer Requirements

This tabular data covers all the factors that should match the minimum requirements for the system to use QuickBooks Desktop.

Refer to the given table to determine the requirements your computer must meet when installing QuickBooks. Using this table, you can check if your workstation is compatible with the version of QB you are using. Even after making sure of the compatibility, if you continue to struggle with the same problem, then follow the instructions below.

Strategies to Resolve When You Can’t Open QuickBooks

The situation can feel hectic when your QuickBooks won’t open or take so long to open. Here are the best troubleshooting methods for this issue. Go through each of them in need, and we advise you to follow the appropriate solution in the given order to avoid any further inconvenience.

1. Launch the Quick Fix My Program

These types of problems mainly arise due to corruption in the QuickBooks program. Hopefully, there is a dedicated tool in the QB Tool Hub that can resolve the issue related to this problem. Yes, but the first thing to ensure here is that you should have the latest version of QuickBooks Tool Hub.

• Open QB Tool Hub
• Find and click on the Program Problems tab
• Then, tap on the Quick Fix My Program to run it
• Wait for the process to end, and close the application

Once done with that, proceed to check if the problem is fixed. After checking, if you are still unable to access your QuickBooks, then follow the next method.

2. Utilize the QB File Doctor Tool

Problems related to the QuickBooks company file, such as a corrupted data file, can cause this type of issue. The QB File Doctor tool can resolve the problems related to the company file.

• Double-click the QB file while holding the CTRL key
• Wait till you see the No Company Open window or error message pop-up on the screen, and do not release the CTRL key while waiting
• After opening it, tap on Open or Restore an Existing Company File and select the file you wish to access
• Run QuickBooks Tool Hub
• Choose the Company File issues tab
• Next, select QuickBooks File Doctor
• Then, choose your company file
• You can also browse the company file
• Select ‘repair the damage’ to the company file

When the process is completed, verify that you can now open QuickBooks. If you encounter the same problem again, try the following method.

3. Run the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool

A recently installed QuickBooks can be faulty or incomplete, which can result in the QuickBooks won’t open problem. In such cases, you should use the QB Install Diagnostic Tool. To do so, follow the instructions given below:

• Access the QB Tool Hub
• Find and select the Installation Issues tab
• Tap on QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool to run the diagnosis

After that, till the installation issues are repaired. Once done, restart the computer. Then, check whether the problem is solved. If you are still experiencing the same interruption, try the following method to resolve it.

4. Run the Windows Program Repair

You should run the Windows Program Repair feature to repair the utility from Windows. The first thing you need to ensure is creating a company file backup. Follow the next few instructions given below:

• Once done with backing up the data, your system needs a restart
• Next, head to the start menu
• Then, select Control Panel
• Click on Program
• Choose Program and Features
• Tap on Uninstall a Program
• Find QuickBooks from the list of programs
• Then, select the Uninstall/Change option
• When the Installation window appears on the screen
• Select Continue
• Then, choose Repair
• Finally, tap on Finish

After following all these instructions, you will need to restart your system. After that, check if the problem is solved. If the issue persists, try the following ways to resolve it.

5. Close the QBW32.exe in the Background

Suppose many programs running in the background can cause errors, which may prevent QuickBooks from opening. If the QBW32.exe process is active, you need to follow the steps to close it.

• Hit Ctrl + Shift + Esc to launch the Task Manager

• Head to the Processes section and locate QBW32.exe
• Now, right-click on the QBW32.exe process and click on End process

With this process, the hindrance from background programs should not occur, and QB Desktop should function as usual. In case QuickBooks won’t open after this, then follow the method below to rename the corrupted QBWUSER.ini file.

6. Rename the QBWUSER.ini File

When you can’t open QB, there’s a chance that the QBWUSER.ini file might be corrupt. You can follow the process below to rename this file and restore QB Desktop to its normal state.

• Head to File Explorer and locate the QBWUSER.ini file.
• Right-click on the file and select Rename.
• Enter ‘.old’ after the file name and hit Save.
• Now, restart your device and open QBDT.

If QuickBooks Desktop still won’t open, try accessing it with a new admin user, as outlined in the following method.

7. Manage QuickBooks with a New Windows Account

If your Windows user account has become corrupted, it may be the reason why QuickBooks won’t open. You should create a different Windows user account and then access QB Desktop with the following process.

• Access the Control Panel and head to the User Accounts section.
• Then, select Manage another account.
• You will be redirected to the Manage Accounts section.
• There, choose ‘Add a new user in PC settings’.
• Now you have to create a new admin user on your local PC.
• Once done, save the new user and now launch QuickBooks.

The QuickBooks won’t open issue should not recur, and you should be able to use it normally. If you still encounter the error, then rebuild your data file using the following procedure.

8. Utilize QuickBooks Verify and Rebuild Utility

The damaged or corrupted files can often lead to common errors, which prevent QuickBooks Desktop from opening. To resolve this issue, follow the guide to verify and rebuild the company file in the QBDT application. Once you complete this step, your company file will be repaired and the application will function normally.

If the problem still exists and you are unable to open QuickBooks, proceed to the following method and reinstall the software completely.

9. Rename Residual Files and Reinstall QuickBooks

An improper installation of QB Desktop may be the reason you are facing the QuickBooks won’t open error. Therefore, follow these steps to install the application correctly on your device.

• First, open the Control Panel and navigate to the Programs and Features tab.
• Select Uninstall a program and locate QuickBooks.
• Head to File Explorer after uninstalling the QBDT application.
• Search for one of these locations to open the QuickBooks file:
• C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
• C:\Users(current user)\AppData\Local\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
• C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
• 64-bit version C:\Program Files (x86)\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
• Locate and click on the Folder, then choose ‘Rename’.
• Enter “.old” after the folder name and hit save.

Now, use the QuickBooks clean install tool to reinstall it, and the QB won’t open error should be resolved.

10. Open QuickBooks in Compatibility Mode

A helpful solution to implement when QuickBooks won’t open even after updating it is to launch it in compatibility mode. Follow the steps given below to try it.

• Start by right-clicking the QuickBooks icon
• Tap Properties from the given options
• Find the Compatibility tab and mark the box for “Run this program in compatibility mode for…”
• Select a compatible Windows version from the given list

Once you have applied these steps, check if the problem is fixed. Even after that, if you encounter the issue, try resetting the app data.

11. Reset App Data

When QuickBooks doesn’t start, and after trying the above-given method, you are still unable to access it. In such cases, try to reset your QuickBooks data. To do so, follow the steps given below:

• Click on Help
• Tap on Reset App Data from the on-screen menu
• Spare some time for the process to finish, and leave the application
• Next, note that when you try to reopen it, right-click on the icon and then select Run as Administrator

The above instructions will help you launch QuickBooks after resetting it to resolve the issue where QuickBooks won’t open. If this persists even after trying the above method, then you should try the following approach.

12. Keep QuickBooks Window to the Front

If you can’t open QuickBooks but the application is running in the background, follow the steps below to bring it to the front.

• Click Ctrl + Shift + Esc to access the Task Manager.
• Select QuickBooks and hit Expand.
• The company file will be displayed in a sub-line.
• Right-click on the file and hit “Bring to Front”.
• The window will be displayed on your screen.

Through this process, you can bring out the QB window, which is running in the background. If you still can’t open QuickBooks, then follow the method below to run the application as an administrator.

13. Run QuickBooks as Administrator

If QuickBooks won’t open, then you may lack administrator permissions. Follow the steps given below to open QB Desktop as an administrator.

• Close all active programs on your device.
• Restart your computer.
• Select the QuickBooks Desktop icon and expand the menu.
• Choose Run as administrator.

It should resolve the QuickBooks Desktop won’t open error. If it does not, then follow the next method to run the QuickBooks Refresher Tool.

14. Run the QuickBooks Refresher Tool

If you can’t open QuickBooks, try using the QB Refresher Tool to fix the application. With the following process, you can use it to close all the processes that might be running in the background.

• Close the QB Desktop window.
• Head to the Intuit website and download the QuickBooks Refresher Tool.
• Install it onto your device.
• Open the tool and run it.
• Once done, launch QBDT again.

The QuickBooks Refresher Tool will also conduct a mini-repair of the application to prevent the QuickBooks won’t open error. If the issue persists, follow the method below to repair the potentially damaged Windows component.

15. Repair Microsoft .NET Framework

Damaged Microsoft .NET Framework components can cause the QuickBooks won’t open error. Therefore, you must repair the damaged Microsoft components with the following steps.

• Open the Control Panel and head to Programs.
• Navigate to the Programs and Features section
• Click on Uninstall a program.
• Find and select the ‘Turn Windows Features On or Off’ option.
• Now find the damaged .NET Framework in the version list.
• Disable the component and restart your computer.
• Follow the steps again and find ‘Turn Windows Features On or Off’.
• Enable the Microsoft .NET Framework component to reinstall it.
• Once installed, hit OK and restart your computer.

The QuickBooks won’t open problems should be fixed after repairing and reinstalling the Microsoft .NET Framework on the computer.

Conclusion

This detailed guide covers all the aspects to make you understand why QuickBooks won’t open and provides practical solutions to resolve the issue. Furthermore, we advise you to follow the appropriate resolving method according to the given instructions. However, it may be challenging for you to solve this problem if you are not familiar with these technical aspects. In such cases, you might encounter technical difficulties, which makes these methods quite hectic to implement. No worries, you can connect with us anytime by calling +1(855)-738-0359. Dedicated QB professionals will feel happy to help you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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.