Fix “QuickBooks Multi-User Mode Not Working” Error

Encountering QuickBooks Multi-User Mode not working error while switching from single-user mode to multi-user mode? If yes, here’s the solution to all your problems: stay connected till the end.

When the users try to switch from single-user mode to multi-user mode, they might notice some errors like QuickBooks Error H202, Error H303, and Error H505 on their computer screens. Such kinds of errors prevent them from using the software in multi-user mode.

Multi-user mode is an exclusive feature of QuickBooks software that allows several users to work on the same company file simultaneously. But for this, every user must have a QuickBooks License on the workstation.

QuickBooks Multi-User Mode not Working issue occurs due to poor network connectivity or interruptions while accessing the company file by the users. This error commonly arise when the multi-user setup fails to establish a connection with company files on the network.

This error may also slow down your productivity and your business growth; hence, it must be rectified at the earliest.

What Gives Rise to QuickBooks Multi-User Mode Error?

There are several reasons why this Multi-User Mode QuickBooks error may appear, such as:

1. The Database servers are unable to open the company file.
2. QuickBooks is improperly installed on the server.
3. The Hosting settings are misconfigured.
4. Windows file permissions are not correctly set.
5. Firewall or antivirus software may be interrupting communication between user computers.

How to Determine QuickBooks Multi-User Mode Not Working Issue?

Being a regular QB user, it’s important to identify and spot the issue to more efficiently deal with it.

Let’s have a look:

1. Switching to multi-user mode becomes more challenging.
2. You’re unable to access the company file stored on another PC.
3. Error codes H101, H202, and H303 may appear on your screen.
4. QuickBooks not only performs sluggishly but also crashes and freezes periodically.
5. Windows Operating System also doesn’t work normally.

Pointers to Be Considered Before Fixing QuickBooks Multi-User Mode Error!

Before proceeding with the solutions for QuickBooks multi-user mode not working, consider the following points:

• Make sure you install the same QB Database Server Manager version currently used in QuickBooks.
• Verify the Windows File Permissions as an Admin.
• Avoid opening multiple company files on the same workstation, as it causes issues in enabling multi-user mode.

Effective Troubleshooting Methods to Fix QuickBooks Multi-User Mode Not Working Error!

Here are some steps and solutions that will help you fix this QuickBooks multi-user mode not working error:

Solution 1: Download and Run QuickBooks File Doctor from the Tool Hub

If you are getting QuickBooks multi-user mode error due to improper installation of the software, carry out the steps inclined below:

Step 1: Download and Install QuickBooks Tool Hub

1. To begin with, shut down QuickBooks.
2. Now, download the latest QuickBooks tool hub version and save the file where it can be accessible easily, such as your Downloads folder or your Windows desktop. 

Note: If you’ve installed Tool Hub earlier, you can discover which version you use. For this, hit the Home tab, and the version will pop up on the bottom.

1. After this, open the file you downloaded with the extension QuickBooksToolHub.exe.
2. Follow all the on-screen prompts to install and agree to the terms and conditions.
3. Once the installation finishes, click the QuickBooks Tool Hub icon twice to access the tool hub program.

Step 2: Run QuickBooks File Doctor Tool

1. At first, click on Company File Issues from the tool hub program.
2. Now, select Run QuickBooks File Doctor. It may take up to one minute for the file doctor to open. It is to be noted that if the QuickBooks File Doctor doesn’t open, look for QuickBooks Desktop File Doc and try accessing it manually.
3. In QuickBooks File Doctor, choose your company file from the drop-down menu. If you don’t spot your file, hit Browse and Search to locate your file.
4. After this, click Check your file (middle option only) and press Continue.
5. Enter your QuickBooks admin password and then hit the Next tab.
6. The scan time relies on your file size, and it may take up to 10–15 minutes.
7. Once done, open QuickBooks and your company file.

Solution 2: Use QuickBooks Database Server Manager

To get over this, you need to scan for the folders holding them before you share your files.

Here’s how:

1. The initial step is to navigate to the Windows Start menu on your server computer that hosts your company file.
2. Now, type Database into the search bar and open QuickBooks Database Server Manager.
3. Select the Scan Folders tab.
4. Click Browse to choose the folders that hold your company files (QBW).
5. After this, press OK.
6. When you’re ready, hit the Start Scan icon.

Once the scanning is over, the folders display in the QB company files found section. You can now open the company files in such folders from other computers on your network.

Solution 3: Set up Multi-User Host Settings

Check Host Mode Settings on all Server Computers to tackle multi-user mode errors.

1. Navigate to the QuickBooks File menu on your system and then open the Utilities section.
2. If the “Host Multi-User Access” option appears on the list, go to a different computer. This indicates that the system you had earlier was not that one hosting the company file.
3. However, if you spot “Stop Multi-User Access” on the list, select Disable Hosting to turn on the QuickBooks single-user mode.
4. After this, press Yes to confirm the changes you made.
5. Once you disable the hosting mode on all systems, check whether the QuickBooks Multi-User Mode Not Working error still stands its ground.

Solution 4: Check the Windows File and Folder Permissions 

At this point, you need to verify that the folders that host the company file should have the right permissions so that they can be accessed through other systems on the network.

Follow the below-listed steps to check whether the Windows Permissions are set correctly. If not, then do the following:

1. Hover over the Windows Start menu and then hold and press Windows + E keys on your keyboard to open File Explorer.
2. Now, hit right-click on the folder that stores the company file. Then choose Properties.
3. Go to Security and click Advanced.
4. Select QBDataServiceUserXX and press Edit.

Set all the below-listed settings to Allow:

1. Create Folders/Append Data
2. Create Files/Write Data
3. List Folder/Read Data
4. Read Permissions
5. Read Extended Attributes
6. Read Attributes
7. Traverse Folder/Execute File
8. Write Extended Attributes
9. Write Attributes

If your permissions are set incorrectly

1. Click right on the folder containing the company file and then choose Properties.
2. Press Security, then hit the Edit tab.
3. Select QBDataServiceUserXX and click Full Control, then Allow.
4. Hit Apply, then press the OK button.

Solution 5: Configure Firewall Settings on Your Server

Windows Firewall settings, if not configured properly, can hamper every single operation on Windows. Below are the instructions to re-configure Windows Firewall settings so QuickBooks can run in multi-user mode.

Step 1: Include Firewall Port Exception for QuickBooks

If you’re using multiple QuickBooks Desktop versions on the same computer, implement the following steps for each version.

1. Head to the Windows Start menu.
2. Enter “Windows Firewall” into the search box and open Windows Firewall Settings.
3. Select Firewall Advanced options from the left sidebar.
4. Under Advanced Settings, you get the inbound and outbound rules.
5. After this, hit right-click on Inbound Rules and then choose the New Rule option.
6. Click on Port in the New Rule window and then press Next.
7. Next, be sure that TCP is selected.

Enter the particular ports  in the Specific local ports field required for the QuickBooks year version you are currently using:

• Enter 8019, XXXXX for QuickBooks Desktop 2020 and later.
• Type 8019, XXXXX for QuickBooks Desktop 2019.
• Enter 8019, 56728, 55378-55382 for QuickBooks Desktop 2018.
• Type 8019, 56727, 55373-55377 for QuickBooks Desktop 2017.

QuickBooks Desktop 2019, 2020, and later versions use dynamic ports.

Here’s how to get a dynamic port number:

1. Once you write down the port number, press Next.
2. Choose Allow the Connection and then hit the Next tab.
3. If you’re prompted, ensure all profiles are marked. Click Next again.
4. Create a rule and name it “QBPorts(year).”
5. When all set, select Finish.
6. Re-perform the same steps to create outbound rules.

Step 2: Create Windows Firewall Exceptions for QuickBooks Programs

QuickBooks uses executable files (.exe) to perform various tasks. Perform these steps to create exceptions for each executable on the table:

1. Navigate to the Windows Start menu and type Windows Firewall into the search bar, then open Windows Firewall.
2. Now, choose Advanced Settings.
3. Hit right-click on Inbound Rules and then hit the New Rule tab.
4. Select Program and then press Next.
5. Afterward, choose This Program Path and then click Browse.
6. Locate and select any one executable file from the table listed below. Then click Next.
7. Moving ahead, choose Allow the Connection and then hit Next.
8. If prompted, you need to review that all profiles are marked. Later on, press the Next button.
9. Create a rule and name it “QBFirewallException(name.exe)“.
10. And lastly, repeat the same steps to create outbound rules.

Here’s a list of some executable files along with their locations:

Once done, open QuickBooks Desktop and try switching to multi-user mode.

Solution 6: Make sure QuickBooks services are running properly

You need to ensure that QuickBooks services are running on your server computer. Follow these steps to check QuickbooksDBXX. Then repeat them for QBCFMonitorService.

Step 1: Go to the Windows Start Menu on your server computer.

Step 2: Type “Run” into the search and open it.

Step 4: Locate and double-click QuickBooksDBXX on the list. (XX represents the version number like QuickBooks 2023 is QuickBooksDB33)

Step 5: Click Automatic for the Startup Type.

Step 6: Check the Service status under the General section. It should be either Running or Started. If it’s neither, click Start.

Step 7: Hit the Recovery tab.

Step 8: Select Restart the Service from each of these dropdown menus: First failure, Second failure, and Subsequent failures.

Step 9: Press Apply and then hit OK to save the changes.

Step 10: Repeat the same steps for QBCFMonitorService.

When you’re done, open QuickBooks on each workstation. Navigate to the File menu and choose Switch to Multi-user Mode. If everything opens smoothly, the problem is fixed.

Solution 7: Ping your server from a workstation 

Ping your server from a workstation to check the connection. Ping your server from each workstation getting Multi-user mode not working error.

Step 1: Head to the Windows Start menu on your server and workstations.

Step 2: Type “Network” into the search bar and open Network and Sharing Center.

Step 3: Choose to Change advanced sharing settings.

Step 4: Ensure that the Turn on network discovery is selected in the Network Discovery and File and Printer sharing sections.

Step 5: Next, get your server name from your server:

1. Open the Windows Start menu on your server computer.
2. Type “Run” into the search and open the same.
3. Enter “CMD” into the Run window, then hit the Enter tab.
4. Write down “ipconfig/all” into the CMD window, then press Enter.
5. Locate the Host Name in the Windows IP Configuration section. Your server name is on the right.

6. Enter the host name, or copy it to a word document so you can access it quickly.

Return to your workstation to test the server and go through the steps below: 

Step 1: Move to the Windows Start menu from a workstation.

Step 2: Enter “Run” into the search and open Run.

Step 3: Type “CMD” into the Run window, and then hit the Enter key.

Step 4: Write down “ping [your server name],” and then press Enter. Don’t include the brackets around your server name just like this:

Step 5: Repeat these steps for each workstation that gets multi-user mode not working error.

Solution 8: Repair the QuickBooks Program

Step 1: Restart your system.

Step 2: Open the Windows Start menu and then click the Control Panel.

Step 3: Select Programs and Features, then Uninstall a Program.

Step 4: Choose QuickBooks from the list of Programs, then hit the Uninstall/Change tab.

Step 5: Press Continue, or Next.

Step 6: Click Repair, then Next.

Step 7: Once it’s done, hit the Finish icon.

Step 8: If prompted, restart your computer to complete the repair.

Summing-Up!

Hopefully, the information given above will be useful to you. But if you are still facing any kind of issues with your software and need professional assistance regarding accounting, bookkeeping & accounting software-related issues, then feel free to get in touch with us at +1-802-778-9005, or you can mail us at support@ebetterbooks.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Q 1. What if QuickBooks Multi-User Mode is Not Working on Windows 11?

Ans. Trying to switch from single-user to multi-user mode on Windows 11, but the QuickBooks Multi-user mode error prevents you from doing this? This may be due to having a corrupted.ND file in your database; hence it’s required to rename these files.

Here’s how:

1. Firstly, open the folder having your company file.
2. Now, locate the files with similar file names as your company files but with .ND and .TLG extensions.
3. Company_file.qbw.nd
4. Company_file.qbw.tlg
5. Hit right-click on each file and choose the Rename option. Then, add the OLD word at the end of each file name. For instance: company_file.qbw.nd.OLD.

Q 2. How to Resolve the QuickBooks Multi-User Mode Not Working on Windows 10?

Ans. Are you a Windows 10 user and dealing with the QuickBooks Multi-user mode error? Adding the server details to the Windows Host file may help Windows to connect with the server computer that saved your company file.

For this, do the following:

1. To begin with, use the Notepad on the system facing the “Cannot switch to multi-user mode” issue and access the Windows hosts file.
2. Now, locate the host file at (C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\Etc\).
3. Open Notepad as Administrator if required.
4. After this, enter the server’s IP address and then the last IP address.
5. Hit the Tab key and then type the Server name.
6. From the File menu, you must select the Save option.
7. At last, press Exit and check for the error status.

Q 3. Can I Prevent QuickBooks Multi-User Mode Not Working on Mac Software?

Ans. Yes, of course, if you switch to QuickBooks multi-user mode using Mac software and fail to do it due to some internal issues, then it’s mandatory to check the MacOS Firewall Settings.

Let’s see how:

1. Head to the Apple menu and choose System Preferences.
2. Click on the Security & Privacy icon, then press Firewall.
3. Select Firewall Options. If the button is grayed out, hit the lock icon to unlock it.
4. Ensure the QuickBooks Server app is set to Allow Incoming Connections.

Q 4. What to Do If the QuickBooks Multi-User Mode Does Not Work Even After an Update?

Ans. If you find that the QuickBooks Multi-user mode error doesn’t resolve even after an update, then you need to change the firewall and antivirus settings. The Firewall or antivirus may be the most appealing cause of this error.

Below are the steps to fix it from its root:

1. In the first place, press the Windows Start button and then open the Control panel.
2. Now, locate and select the Windows firewall and press Enter.
3. Choose the prompt to allow “An app through Windows firewall option.”
4. Hit Change settings and then tickmark the checkbox under the public list for the QuickBooks application.
5. Click OK and then select Public for the application.
6. To finish, run QuickBooks in the multi-user mode to see if the error still persists or not.

What are the most common QuickBooks Multi-User Mode Errors?

Here are some of the most common multi-user mode error code with there respective categories;

1. Network Connectivity Errors

These errors occur when QuickBooks fails to establish a connection with the server hosting the company file, leading to interruptions in multi-user access.

• QuickBooks Unable to Connect to Remote Server
• QuickBooks Error H202

2. Hosting Configuration Errors

Misconfigured hosting settings or improper activation of the hosting feature can trigger these errors, preventing seamless collaboration.

• QuickBooks Error H101
• QuickBooks Error H505

3. Firewall and Security Restrictions

Errors in this category are caused by firewalls or security software blocking QuickBooks from accessing the network or required ports.

• QuickBooks Error H303

4. File Access and Permission Issues

These errors arise when QuickBooks fails to locate or access the company file due to incorrect folder permissions or shared file path issues.

• Aborting in Multi-User Mode Error

5. Server and Database Manager Issues

Problems with QuickBooks Database Server Manager or server misconfigurations often lead to errors that disrupt hosting functionality.

• QuickBooks Error H505
• QuickBooks Error H202

Disclaimer: The information outlined above for “Fix “QuickBooks Multi-User Mode Not Working” Error” is applicable to all supported versions, including QuickBooks Desktop Pro, Premier, Accountant, and Enterprise. It is designed to work with operating systems such as Windows 7, 10, and 11, as well as macOS.