How to Solve QuickBooks Multi-User Mode Not Working Error?

Nancy Brooke
5 min readJan 3, 2024

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Do you find it difficult to deal with QuickBooks multi-user mode not working error? Well, this is a common error that one experience due to a couple of factors. The efficiency of QuickBooks cuts down, when QuickBooks multi-user mode errors appears on the screen with a warning message. You can often experience such an error when trying to launch a company file stored on a server.

Moreover, if the software continues to work in single-user mode, then experiencing such an error is pretty much common. You can scroll through this segment to get a better grip on to QuickBooks multi-user mode not working problem. Or can also contact our tech personnel for any further support.

A List of QuickBooks Multi-User Mode Not Working Error

Users, however, may receive some unexpected errors while working on this mode.

Multi-user mode not working: This company file is on another computer and QuickBooks needs some help connecting.

Why you Experience QuickBooks Multi-User Mode Not Working Problem?

Experiencing this type of error can be expected due to the following reasons:

  • Just in case the Windows file permissions aren’t set in a proper manner, then you might land up in such an error.
  • Moreover, if the .nd file is corrupted or damaged, then landing into such an error is definite.
  • You might also experience similar issue if QuickBooks accounting software is not installed on the server.
  • If the hosting settings are configured incorrectly.
  • Another scenario can be if the QuickBooksDBXX services aren’t started yet.
  • Also, if the database server doesn’t have the rights to open the QuickBooks company file.

Corrective Methods to Fix QuickBooks Multi-User Mode Not Working Problem

Below is the list of corrective measures that can be performed, so as to deal with QuickBooks multi-user mode not working error. Let us dive in!

Method 1: Configure Default Setting

  • Open QuickBooks and click on Files tab.
  • You now have to click on Utilities tab.
  • Select the option to Host multi-user access.
  • Add the desired number of users with the company file.
  • Click on Cancel if multi-user mode is enabled already and you are asked to Disable it.
  • Create different login credentials for different users and setup will be done.

Method 2: Ping the Server From Workstation

  • Initially, open Start menu on the server.
  • Type network and open the Network and sharing center.
  • You are required to click on Change advanced sharing tab and from there Turn on network discovery and also file and Printer sharing.
  • Get the name of the server.
  • Enter in CMD in the run window.
  • Hit Enter tab
  • In the CMD window, you need to enter the Ipconfig/all text and also click on Enter tab.
  • You will see the Server name next to the Host name.
  • Note down the Host name and move to the Workstations.
  • Now hit a click on Start menu.
  • Open the run command window.
  • Type in CMD tab and then type Ping and hit Enter key.
  • Now type in Server name without the brackets.

Method 3: Ascertain the QuickBooks Services are Running

  • Head to the Windows search bar and search for Service.msc
  • Check if QuickBooksDBXX service in the Services window list.
  • In case the service is unavailable, then perform the necessary steps.
  • Double click QuickBooksDBXX and the value should appear Automatic within startup type.
  • Hit Start tab.
  • Choose restart the QuickBooksDBXX service for the fist second and following failures.
  • Repeat the steps for QBCFMonitorService.

Method 4: Verify the Host Mode on All The User Systems

  • Start the system and move to QuickBooks file menu.
  • Go for Utilities tab.
  • In case you find Host multi-user access on the list, then head to a different system.
  • In case you found Stop hosting multi-user access on the list, then select that and Disable hosting to enable QuickBooks single user mode.
  • When it is certain that the Hosting mode is turned off on all the user systems, then you need to check if multi-user mode is working or not.

Method 5: Using QuickBooks Database Server Manager

  • You need to go for QuickBooks database server manager on the server by typing the database in the Start menu.
  • Unable to locate the folder locations, then use Browse for locating the folder where the company file is stored.
  • Now finally, hit a click on OK tab and go for Start scan tab.

Method 6: QuickBooks Must be Able to Send Data

  1. Change the settings of firewall and antivirus.
  • Click on Windows key and Control panel.
  • After that click on Windows firewall option.
  • Click on the prompt to Allow an app through windows firewall option.
  • Tap on Change settings and click on checkbox under the Public list for QuickBooks application.
  • Hit OK tab.
  • Click on Public for the application.
  • Try running QuickBooks in multi-user mode.
  1. Test the path and ascertain if QuickBooks is able to communicate.
  • Press Windows + R keys.
  • After that type Ping and hit Enter key.
  • Use UNC to reach the shared folder in the server.
  1. Move to company file following the UNC path.
  2. Create a new company file folder
  • Create a New folder for the company file.
  • Make sure to make it on host system.
  • Set up the folder and permit for Windows to access permissions for the new folder.
  • The company files can be shared across the systems.
  • Copy the qbw file to the new folder.
  • Check if the Company file in multi-user mode opening.
  • If it opens up in a proper manner, then the issue definitely resolved.

Method 7: Configure Firewall Exception for QuickBooks Program and Port

  • Select ‘’Windows’’ button.
  • Open the Windows Firewall setting by typing “Windows Firewall” into the search box.
  • Select the option for Firewall advanced options in the left sidebar.
  • The inbound and outgoing rules can be found under the ‘’Advanced settings’’ tab.
  • After choosing the ‘’Inbound Rules’’ option, choose the ‘’New Rule’’ option.
  • Select TCP after selecting ‘’Port’’ in the ‘’New Rules’’ Windows.
  • Depending on the version of QuickBooks you have, add the Port.
  • Repeat the previous steps, excluding step 4 for the outbound rules.
  • QuickBooks Desktop 2022: 8019, XXXXX.
  • QuickBooks Desktop 2021: 8019, XXXXX.
  • QuickBooks Desktop 2020: 8019, XXXXX.
  • QuickBooks Desktop 2019: 8019, XXXXX.
  • QuickBooks Desktop 2018: 8019, 56728, 55378–55382.
  • QuickBooks Desktop 2017: 8019, 56727, 55373–55377.
  • Include QuickBooks in Firewall.
  • All of the aforementioned steps are the same, except that we’ll add QuickBooks Program to our inbound and outbound firewall rules this time around rather than selecting a port.
  • Click on the ‘’new Rule’’ under the ‘’advanced firewall setup’’ option.
  • Choose the application this time, then navigate to the directory containing the executable File for the software.

OnlineBackup.exe — IntuitSyncManager.exe — QBUpdate.exe — QBLaunch.exe — QBCFMonitorService.exe — QBServerUtilityMgr.exe — QBDBMgrN.exe — QBW32.exe QuickBooksMessaging.exe — FileMovementExe.exe — FileManagement.exe — DBManagerExe.exe Dbmlsync.exe — AutoBackupExe.exe

  • Follow the addition of each Program for the Inbound Rules.
  • Then, apply the outbound Rules using the same procedure.
  • Restart your computer last, and check afterward that the issue is fixed.

Conclusive lines!

After you go through the corrective steps scribbled above, it might be a little easier for you to tackle through the QuickBooks multi-user mode not working issue. In the scenario when such an error is experienced even after carrying out the required procedures, then contacting tech support professionals becomes a necessary step.

You can reach out to our QuickBooks error support team via using our dedicated tech support line and ask our accounting professionals to eliminate the issue for you permanently.

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