Learn How to Fix QuickBooks Banking Error 185: Simple 4 Ways?

To resolve QuickBooks Online banking error 185, verify that bank security prompts, such as security questions or one-time passcodes, are enabled. Try using a different browser or incognito/private mode to bypass pop-up blockers, and ensure that your firewall or antivirus software isn’t blocking QuickBooks. If these methods fail, check the QuickBooks help menu for “Update QuickBooks Desktop” (for Desktop) or sign in to your bank’s website to ensure there are no pending issues on their end.

QuickBooks Error 185 typically appears when multi-factor authentication or connectivity validation between QuickBooks and a financial institution fails. This error interrupts transaction downloads and online banking synchronisation, leading to temporary account access restrictions. The main triggers include incorrect credential validation, blocked network ports, or outdated application files.

This guide provides a comprehensive explanation of QuickBooks Errors 185, covering its causes, key symptoms, and effective troubleshooting procedures. You will learn how to reconnect your bank account, verify identity through financial institutions, apply system repair utilities, and perform manual fixes such as disk cleanup.

By following these steps in sequence, you can re-establish secure data access, maintain consistent synchronisation with your bank, and prevent future occurrences of Error 185 as a QuickBooks user.

What Exactly is the 185 Error About?

QuickBooks Error 185 is a banking connection error that occurs when QuickBooks cannot complete secure communication with a user’s financial institution. It typically appears when the bank’s server requires additional authentication—such as a security question, temporary verification code, or one-time passcode (OTP)—to validate the user’s identity.

This error indicates that QuickBooks has successfully reached the bank’s login portal but cannot proceed further without confirmation of the user’s credentials or additional verification steps. The issue most often arises during online banking updates, transaction downloads, or account synchronisation.

Technically, Error 185 is part of a group of QuickBooks online banking errors that relate to multi-factor authentication (MFA) and data validation timeouts. When the bank’s system requests extra verification and QuickBooks does not receive or transmit the required response in time, the connection fails, triggering this specific error code.

In simpler terms, QuickBooks Error 185 means that your bank connection is active but incomplete because the system is waiting for identity verification from your financial institution before allowing access to transaction data.

Quick Fixes of QuickBooks Online Banking Error 185

Bank error 185 indicates that your financial institution requires more information once you enter your credentials. This may mean your financial institution has additional security requirements that you need to address, such as a security question or one-time passcode.

To fix this, check to see whether your bank asks you a security question or a One-time password (OTP).

Here’s what you need to do:

Security Question:

If your bank or financial institution asks you a security question, type your answer. However, if you have multiple security questions, you may get this error again the next time you update. As you enter your answers, QuickBooks Online will remember the security questions you have been asked and will answer for you.

If the security question doesn’t pop up, you might need to try another browser or disable your browser’s pop-up blocker.

Note: If you’ve forgotten your original answers, your bank will provide advice on the next steps to help you reset them.

One-time Password:

If your bank or financial institution asks for a one-time password, you can receive your one-time password (through a device, text, call, etc.) and enter it every time you get an error 185.

• Navigate to Transactions and then choose Bank transactions.
• Select Update and then follow the on-screen instructions. 
• If you’re prompted, enter One Time Passcode. 

However, if the issue persists, you’re recommended to log in to QuickBooks using an incognito or private browser, or try another browser troubleshooting option. Here are shortcut keys:

• For Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Edge Browser: Press Ctrl + Shift + P
• For Google Chrome: Press Ctrl + Shift + N
• For Safari: Press Command + Shift + N

Solutions: Fix QuickBooks Banking Error 185

Before troubleshooting QuickBooks Banking Error 185, ensure QuickBooks is updated to the latest version and back up your company file. Methods include using a PC repair tool, verifying identity with your financial institution, or manually fixing the error by cleaning up your disk space and restarting your system.

Method 1: Connect your Bank and Credit Card Accounts to Resolve QuickBooks Error 185

QuickBooks Error 185 may occur when the banking connection is interrupted during data synchronisation. Reconnecting the bank and credit card accounts helps re-establish the authentication link and complete pending transactions. Follow these steps in sequence:

Step 1: Perform a Manual Bank Data Download

1. Head to Bookkeeping and choose Transactions, then select Bank transactions.
2. Click on Update.

Tip: If you see a message about additional authentication, follow the on-screen steps to continue the update.

This action updates all your connected bank and credit card accounts. The number of transactions in each account tile will increase if QuickBooks downloads new transactions.

Note: You will not be able to download bank transactions past 90 days. If you want the transactions older than 90 days, you may need to manually upload transactions into QuickBooks Online.

Step 2: Verify Connection through the Bank’s Official Website

If downloads seem slow or stuck, the issue may be on the bank’s end. Sign in to your bank’s website to check.

Then, make sure you check the URL QuickBooks uses to connect your bank:

1. Move to Transactions, then choose Bank Transactions.
2. Click on the Link account. 

Note: You won’t add an account; you just need the listed URL.

3. Look for your bank and select it.
4. Copy the URL listed for your bank.
5. Sign in to your bank or credit card’s website using the copied URL.

If you can sign in, it’s a good sign that there isn’t a major issue.

Next, on your bank’s website, check the following:

1. Check your account for messages, notifications, or alerts.
2. Search for any display issues as you navigate the website. These can block QuickBooks from downloading new transactions.
3. Browse your bank’s website for any announcements about new security requirements.

If everything looks good, go back to QuickBooks and prompt a manual download:

1. Navigate to Transactions, then select Bank transactions.
2. Hit the Update tab.

Step 3: Update Banking Credentials within QuickBooks

If you’ve recently updated anything on your bank’s website, like your account number, username, or password, you need to update it in QuickBooks as well:

1. Navigate to Bookkeeping and select Transactions, then choose Bank transactions.
2. Click the tile for the bank account. Then, hit the Edit icon.
3. Select Edit sign-in info.
4. Update your info as required.
5. Start another manual download.

Method 2: Identity Verification With your Bank

How to resolve QuickBooks DB error 185: Open the linked account, answer your financial institution’s security questions, submit them, and enter the OTP received on your registered number.

Follow the step-by-step information given below:

1. Firstly, the user has to open the account linked with QuickBooks that is receiving the QuickBooks DB error 185.
2. After that, provide the correct responses to security questions. These are the questions of the Financial Institution/ Bank, saved by you earlier.
3. If the user has multiple security questions, then the error might pop up again (While updating next time).
4. Now, click the submit button. After that, QuickBooks will save this security question and its answer.
5. The user might have to fill in the OTP they receive on the registered number. It will resolve Error 185.

Method 3: Use the System Repair Tool

Repair tools are available for QuickBooks and other programs. They will also help in resolving Banking Error 185. To resolve QuickBooks Error 185, download and install a PC repair utility, run a scan, and click “Fix All” after scanning to clean and fix the issue.

1. Firstly, download and install the PC repair utility available online.
2. After that, open the software and click scan & clean.
3. Let it start scanning. When the process is complete, click Fix All Options. It would help get rid of QuickBooks Error 185.

Method 4: Manually Fix The Error

To manually fix the error, press the Windows key, open My Computer/This PC, select the C drive, click Properties, run Disk Cleanup, delete unnecessary files, and restart your system.

To fix the bug manually, follow these steps:

1. Firstly, the user has to press the Windows key on their keyboard.
2. After that, select My Computer/ This PC and open it.
3. Now, click the C drive on the system and choose properties.
4. Look for the disk cleanup option and press the same.
5. Now, another window will appear, showing how much space is left in the system.
6. Here, the user has to select all the files that are not required to free up some space.
7. After disk cleanup, restart the system and check if the error is removed.

Final Words!

This guide outlined the key causes and effective fixes for QuickBooks Online Banking Error 185. By reconnecting your bank accounts, verifying authentication, updating credentials, or running a quick system repair, you can restore secure communication between QuickBooks and your financial institution.

Regular updates and stable network settings help prevent this error from reccurring. If the issue continues, contact the QuickBooks Support Team at +1-802-778-9005 for immediate expert assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions!

What are Banking Errors in QuickBooks?

Banking errors come up with different technical error codes and problems that prevent you from connecting to your bank account. It may occur if there’s an issue with the bank’s website, whether it is a maintenance issue or some connectivity error. 

How to Determine the QuickBooks Bank Error 185?

Below are the indicators we’ve presented to identify this banking error:

1. QB Bank error 185 pops up with an error message stating, “ Error Code 185: An error appeared when processing the bank feed data.” 
2. Difficulty when trying to set up or use the online banking service within QuickBooks. 
3. Failed to download bank transactions into QuickBooks Online. 
4. Other Bank communication-related errors. 

When Does the QuickBooks Online Banking Error 185 Take Place?

QuickBooks Error Code 185 generally arises when QuickBooks is unable to establish a connection with your financial institution during online banking or when trying to download transactions. The error may also appear if there is a problem with your bank’s end or when they need additional information, such as answering security questions or updating your account details. 

How Can I Fix QuickBooks Bank Error 185?

QB Bank Error 185 can be resolved with the following solutions:

1. Make sure you correctly answer all the security questions. 
2. Refresh your bank connection. 
3. Immediately enter a one-time password when asked. 
4. Review your bank’s identity. 
5. Download and run the QuickBooks install diagnostic tool from the tool hub.
6. Update your bank information. 
7. Check that your internet connection is stable. 

Why Does My Bank Account Not Match QuickBooks?

There are two scenarios in which your QuickBooks doesn’t match your bank account.

• When your bank account balance is less than your QuickBooks balance: If there are expenses that have cleared the bank but haven’t been entered into QuickBooks, the balances will differ.
• When your bank account balance is higher than your QuickBooks balance: If you’ve received a payment but it hasn’t yet been entered into your QuickBooks, the balances will differ yet again. 

How Do You Reconcile a Bank Account in QuickBooks?

Once you get your bank statement, you can start reconciling. If you’re reconciling multiple months, start with your oldest bank statement. Reconcile each month separately, one statement at a time.

Important: If you’re reconciling a Merchant or Payments account and QuickBooks Desktop notices that you aren’t signed in, you’ll see a sign-in window. This ensures your account is successfully linked to a valid company ID.

1. Head to the Banking menu, then choose Reconcile.
2. Select the bank or credit card account you want to reconcile under the Account field.
3. The Statement Date is automatically filled in. Usually, it’s 30 or 31 days after the statement date of the previous reconciliation. You can change it as required to match your bank statement.
4. QuickBooks also automatically enters the Beginning Balance. It uses the ending balance from your last reconciliation to get this number.
5. Type the Ending Balance based on your bank statement.
6. Enter the Service Charge and Interest Earned according to your bank statement. Avoid entering charges you’ve already entered in QuickBooks.
7. Review the fields. If the info is correct, press Continue or OK.