QuickBooks Cannot Communicate with the Company File? Fix It Out

Accounting

Most often, the users might experience QuickBooks cannot communicate with the company file error while trying to connect with the files hosted on the server. This issue might occur when the network firewall creates discrepancies with the connection, which causes it to fail to access your file. So, in that case, all you require is to reconfigure the settings of the Windows Firewall to fix it. In this detailed post, we have given you with proper instructions regarding what causes this issue and simplified solutions to fix them.

Is it getting difficult for you to troubleshoot QuickBooks cannot communicate with the company file issue? Well, in that case, connect with our highly-certified QB professionals and get the issue fix under the expert’s supervision.

Why QuickBooks Software Cannot Communicate with the Company Files in Windows?

Finding the exact reason that’s causing QuickBooks software cannot communicate with the company files in Windows issue is important to get the right solution. Below, we have given all those possible causes resulting to this issue. Let’s have a quick glimpse at all those root causes outlined below closely.

Working on an Incompatible Version of QuickBooks:

Sometimes, the issue may arise when the QuickBooks Desktop version you are presently using is older. Thus, it might prevents QuickBooks to communicate with the company file.

Issues Associated with the Folder Permissions:

If the folder hosting your company file doesn’t have enough admin access then it might create discrepancies while opening the file. Eventually, it might blocks the access to the file causing disruption in the ongoing business task.

Improper Hosting Settings on Your Workstations:

In other cases, the users might come across the QuickBooks cannot communicate with the company file due to the incorrect hosting settings of the workstations.

Problems Lies at the End of the QuickBooks Database Server Manager:

Another possible reason behind the issue is that the QuickBooks Database Server Manager has stopped working due to which you encounter issues accessing the application.

Issues Related to Your Business Data File:

If the company file you are trying to access in QuickBooks is either damage or corrupt, then there is a high possibility of getting this issue.

Warning Signs When QuickBooks Cannot Communicate with the Company File

Users might discover the following signs and symptoms when they get the QuickBooks and cannot communicate with the company file issue.

• Inability to access the company file might hamper the ongoing business process which might cause a heavy loss to the organization.
• When the users discover this issue, they started experiencing the sudden freeze or crashing of the Windows operating system.
• An active QuickBooks program began to work slowly and you might see the sudden delays in completing the daily accounting operations.
• This issue might slows down the performance of the QuickBooks program which may cause problem in accomplishing the business tasks.

QuickBooks Cannot Communicate with the Company File: Step-by-Step Fix

The users must undertake the following troubleshooting methods to recover the QuickBooks software cannot communicate with company file due to firewall issues.

Step 1: Hosting On All Your Workstations Must Be Turn-Off

Before moving further the users must assure that the host multi-user access option is turn off on all the workstations. Herein, you must verify that only the server computer must holds your data file not your workstations. So, to resolve the issue it is necessary to fix the hosting settings on workstations with the help of the steps instructed below.

• Begin the process of launching the QuickBooks on any one of your workstations.
• When you are done, switch to the File menu and then move to the Utilities option.
• Now, if you notice that the “Host Multi-User Access” option is turn-off, then avoid selecting it. Instead, you must skip to the another workstation and this is the one which surely isn’t generating the problem.
• Later on, you must click on the Stop Host Multi-User Access option.

Once you are done verifying all of your workstations, jump to the server computer and try resetting of the hosting settings.

• In the first place, the users must launch the QuickBooks application on your server computer.
• After this, jump to the File menu > Utilities to move further with the process.
• If you see the Host Multi-User Access option, then choose it and try implementing the steps again. Later on, go ahead with the Stop Hosting Multi-User Access option. Doing so will immediately reset the multi-user mode in QuickBooks.
• Now, you must resume the process once again and choose the Host Multi-User Access.

Step 2: Start Utilizing the QuickBooks Database Server Manager on Your Server

Basically, the server computer is the one that carries your QuickBooks data file. Whereas the other computers which are linked with the network are your workstations.

• In the first stage, reach the main website of Intuit and from there download the latest version of the QuickBooks Tool Hub.
• Once the updated version of the Tool Hub is downloaded, get it installed with the help of the on-screen instructions carefully.
• After this, launch the QuickBooks Tool Hub and choose the highlighted Network Issues tab from its dashboard.
• Thereon, you must opt for the QuickBooks Database Server Manager to proceed ahead with the process. Later on, if you see that the QuickBooks isn’t previously install on your server, then it might ask you to do the same.
• Afterwards, from the QBDBMgrN, you must go with the Start Scan option if your data files are displayed.
• With this, you will notice that the QuickBooks Database Server Manager will begin repairing the firewall permissions manually.
• After completing the scanning process, hit the Close tab and then start looking for the folder that you have recently scanned. Herein, you must verify that the .ND file is present in the folder and it will be shown as [your company file]qbw.nd.
• Furthermore, if you fail to find the .ND file, start scanning the folder once again to see if the error still exists.

Step 3: Setting Up of the Folder Permissions Accurately to Resolve the Issue

To verify that the permissions are set up appropriately, the users must try implementing the stepwise instructions below.

• Initiate the process by clicking on the Start menu and then launch the File Explorer on your computer.
• Afterwards, you must right-click on the folder that carries your company file and then opt for the Properties option from the drop-down menu list.
• Thereon, the users must switch to the Security tab and choose the Advanced tab.
• When you are all set with the above steps, move to the QBDataServiceUserXX, followed by the Edit menu.
• Now, what you require is to set the following settings to Allowed:
  • Traverse Folder/Execute File
  • List Folder/Read Data
  • Read Attributes
  • Read Extended Attributes
  • Create Files/Write Data
  • Create Folders/Append Data
  • Write Attributes
  • Write Extended Attributes
  • Read Permissions

If you notice that the file permissions aren’t set up accurately, they will implement the steps as given below.

• In the first stage, the users must right-click on the folder that carries the data file and then go ahead with the Properties tab.
• When you are all set, then jump to the Security tab, followed by the Edit menu.
• Afterwards, move on to QBDataServiceUserXX > Full Control and then hit the Allow tab.
• When you are done making the above changes, go ahead with the Apply and then the OK option.

Step 4: Make the Necessary Changes to the Windows Firewall Manually

• For making changes to the Windows Firewall, tap on the Start menu and include “Windows Firewall” into the search box.
• With this, you may notice that the Windows Firewall window will appear on your computer screen.
• Thereon, you must proceed to the Advanced Settings tab and then right-click on the Inbound Rules option followed by New Rule.
• Furthermore, the users must pick the Port option followed by the Next tab.
• Later on, you must verify that the TCP checkbox is marked.
• Now, within the Special Local Ports field, you must insert the specific ports required for your QuickBooks year version.
  • QuickBooks Desktop 2020 and the higher editions, you must include port 8019, XXXXX.
  • For the QuickBooks Desktop 2019 edition, include ports 8019 and XXXXX.
  • QuickBooks Desktop 2018 edition: 8109, 56278, 55378- 55382.
  • QuickBooks Desktop 2017 edition: 8109, 56727, 55373- 55377.
• Once you have added the port number accurately, move to the Next step and hit the Allow the Connection tab.
• Later on, you must verify that all the profiles are chosen and then tap on the Next tab.
• Now, you must generate a new rule and assign a new name which shows as “QBPorts(year).”
• After doing the mandatory changes, you must go with the Finish tab and try implementing the above steps for establish the outbound rules.

Step 5: Get Ready to Download & Install the Latest QuickBooks Desktop Updates

Another troubleshooting method you must try to resolve the QuickBooks cannot communicate with the company file issue is to verify that you are using the latest version of the QuickBooks Desktop. If it’s not, then install the newly launched QuickBooks updates to fix the issue easily using the steps below.

• Firstly, the users must access the Product Information window to get the QuickBooks Desktop version you are presently using.
• The latest version available for the QuickBooks Desktop for Windows are as follows:
  • QuickBooks 2024 R10_19
  • QuickBooks 2023 R14_49
  • QuickBooks 2022 R17_41
• However, if you notice that you are not working on the latest QuickBooks Desktop version, then update them immediately using the steps below.
  • Under this process, you must opt for the Update Available option. then, tap on the Install Now tab to get the new updates.
  • After this, you must hold on for sometime unless the updates gets install on your device. Herein, you may see that the update might consume some time to get the updates on your device.
  • When you are done downloading the latest QuickBooks updates then get it install on your device.

Step 6: Get Rid of the Company File Issues Via the QuickBooks File Doctor Tool

• Firstly, the users must ensure that they have download the updated version of the QuickBooks Tool Hub.
• After this, move to the Download section and double-tap on the setup file to initiate the installation process.
• Thereon, you must thoroughly review the Terms and Conditions and rest follow the online instructions to complete the installation process.
• Once you are done with the installation part, run the QuickBooks Tool Hub with the help of the desktop icon.
• Furthermore, open the QuickBooks Tool Hub, then click the Company File issues tab and the Quick Fix My Program tab.
• After that you are done by clicking the OK tab and then try accessing the company again in QuickBooks Desktop.
• Soon after this, you must move to the Company File Issues tab and then click the Run QuickBooks File Doctor Tool.

• At last, choose the options to repair the damage data file and let the tool automatically configure the identified issues.

Summarizing the Above!!

Hopefully, we assure that the solutions given above will help you deal with the complex QuickBooks cannot communicate with the company file issue. If this issue is still bothering you, then communicate with our QB experts and let our professionals help you get out of the issue.