QuickBooks Multi User Mode not Working – 5 Solutions to Fix

QuickBooks Error

Does your “QuickBooks Multi-user Mode Not Working” and want to know the exact reasons and solutions to fix it? Then this blog will help you resolve the issue with proper explanations.

QuickBooks Multi-User Mode not working allow users to access and work in the same company file simultaneously. It is useful for businesses that have multiple employees accessing the company’s financial data. In Multi-User mode, each user has their own login credentials and access areas of QuickBooks with permission to view them.

The administrator of the QuickBooks company file can control who has access to features and data. But sometimes QuickBooks multi-user mode not working, and the other user can’t access the QuickBooks company file. Here Are The Possible Solutions to Fix QuickBooks Multi-User Mode Not Working.

Proven Solutions to Fix QuickBooks Multi-User Mode Not Working

When QuickBooks stops hosting multi-user access, follow the given solutions to restore it.

Solution #1: Use QuickBooks Database Server Manager

The QuickBooks Database Server Manager is responsible for managing the connection between the server and the client computers, so it needs to be running in multi-user mode to work properly. When the QuickBooks multi-user mode not working, use the Database Server Manager with the following steps:

  1. In the first step, download the QuickBooks Tool Hub
  2. Second, Open the downloaded Quickbookstoolhub.exe file and install it.
  3. After the installation, open the QuickBooks Tool Hub.
  4. Now, choose the Network Issues tab from the left pane.
  5. Next, choose the QuickBooks Database Server Manager.
  6. When QuickBooks Database Server Manager opens click on the Browse option to locate your Company File and then click on Start Scan.
  7. After that, click on Close.
  8. In the end, try multi-user mode in your workstation to check if the “Cannot Switch to multi-user mode” fix.

If your QuickBooks multi-user mode not working, then follow the next solution.

Solution#2: Rename .ND and .TLG Files

In QuickBooks, the .ND and .TLG files are associated with company file and are used for network data and transaction log files, respectively.

Sometimes, renaming these files can be a troubleshooting step to fix issues when QB multi-user mode not working after the update. Following are the steps to correct the QuickBooks multi-user mode not working issue:

  1. Close QuickBooks on Computers connected to the company file.
  2. Locate the location of the company file folder. This should be the folder you have shared on the server computer while using QuickBooks in multi-user mode.
  3. Look for the file with the same name as the company file, but with a .ND or .TLG extension. For example, if your company file name is “MyCompany.qbw”, the associated .ND and .TLG files name would be “MyCompany.qbw.nd” and “MyCompany.qbw.tlg” respectively.
  4. Right-click on the .ND and .TLG files and select “Rename” from the context menu. Add “.old” to the end of the file name for both files, for example, “MyCompany.qbw.nd.old“ and “MyCompany.qbw.tlg.old”.
  5. Open QuickBooks on the computer that acts as a host for the company file and open the company file. This will re-create the .ND and .TLG files.
  6. Once QuickBooks is open you can access the company file, open the QuickBooks on other computers and verify if they can access the file.

Also Read: QuickBooks Multi User Setup on QB Desktop

Solution# 3: Check Service on Your Server

There are a few different ways to check the status of services on a QuickBooks server and resolve QuickBooks multi-user mode not working issue. Here are a few methods:

  1. Use the Windows Services Manager: You can use the Windows Services Manager to view the status of QuickBooks-related services. Press the Windows key + R, then type “services.msc” and press Enter. Look for services that have “QuickBooks” in their names and check status.
  2. Use the QuickBooks Database Server Manager: If you have the QuickBooks Database Server Manager installed on the server, to check the status of services related to QuickBooks. To open the QuickBooks Database Server Manager, click Start, then click All Programs, and then click QuickBooks. Select QuickBooks Database Server Manager and check status of the services and fix the QuickBooks multi-user mode not working issue.
  3. Check the QuickBooks log files: QuickBooks logs various events, including service-related information, to log files. You can check the log files for information about service-related issues. By default, the log files are located in the C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks version\Log folder.

Use the command line to check if the services are running

  • Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
  • Type ‘net start’ and press Enter.
  • Look for services named ‘QBCFMonitorService’ and ‘QBDBMgrN’ and ‘QBGDSPlugin’ (If these services are not running, you will have to start them manually or troubleshoot).

Solution# 4: Configure Windows Firewall Settings for QuickBooks

When the QuickBooks multi-user mode not working, then configure the Windows firewall settings for QuickBooks. To configure Windows Firewall settings for QuickBooks, you will ensure that the necessary ports are open on the firewall, and that QuickBooks adds an exception to the firewall rules.

Follow general instructions for configuring Windows Firewall for QuickBooks:

  1. Open the Windows Firewall settings by pressing the Windows key + R, then type “control firewall.cpl” and press Enter.
  2. Go to the Advanced settings and click on “Inbound Rules“.
  3. Select “New Rule” from the right-hand pane.
  4. In the “New Inbound Rule Wizard” you have to select “Port” and click Next.
  5. In the “Protocol and Ports” section, you have to select TCP.
  6. In the “Specific local ports” field, enter the QuickBooks-related ports. These ports are 8019, 56728, 55378-55382.
  7. In the “Action” section, select “Allow the connection” and then click Next to proceed with the fix for  QuickBooks multi-user mode not working issue.
  8. On the next screen, Select “All profiles” and click Next.
  9. Name it such as “QuickBooks ports” and add a short description of the rule.
  10. Click Finish to create the rule.
  11. Repeat the steps from 3-10 for outbound rules.
  12. Now ensure QuickBooks is added as an exception to the firewall rules.
  13. Repeat steps 2-10 for QuickBooksDBXX.exe (XX is the version of the software)
  14. Restart the QuickBooks services.

Configure the Windows Firewall settings to allow QuickBooks to communicate through the necessary ports.

Also Read: QuickBooks Error H303

Solution# 5: Add your QuickBooks Server to Windows Host File

QuickBooks multi-user mode will not function if the QuickBooks server does not add to the Windows host file. So add the QuickBooks server to the Windows host file with the following steps:

  1. Open the Start menu and then type “notepad” in the search box. Right-click on the Notepad application and select “Run as administrator” to open the program with elevated permissions.
  2. In Notepad, click on “File” and then select “Open.”
  3. In the file explorer window that appears, navigate to the following directory: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc.
  4. Change the file filter drop-down box from “Text Documents (.txt)” to “All Files (.*).“
  5. Select the “hosts” file.
  6. Click on “Open.”
  7. At the end of the file, add a new line containing the IP address of the QuickBooks server, followed by the server’s hostname. For example 172.16.0.5 quickbooks-server
  8. Save the changes to the host’s file by clicking on “File” and then selecting “Save.”
  9. Close Notepad.

Your QuickBooks server now appears in the Windows host file, and you should be able to access it using the hostname you specified (QuickBooks-server in the above example). Now, check for the QuickBooks multi-user mode not working issue.

Note: Please be careful while editing the host file, as this leads to unexpected behavior or issues on your computer if done incorrectly.

Moreover, you’ll also want to know the reasons in advance. So this is the section that will enrich your knowledge and be informed.

Also Read: QuickBooks Error 6175

Why QuickBooks Not Working in Multi-User Mode?

There could be a few reasons why QuickBooks multi user mode not working. The following are the possible causes:

  • Network issues: If you are experiencing network issues, it can prevent QuickBooks from accessing the company file in multi-user mode.
  • Incorrect file permissions: When the file permissions for the company file are not set correctly, QuickBooks may not be able to access the file in multi-user mode.
  • Corrupted company file: When the company file gets corrupted, QuickBooks may not be able to open it in multi-user mode.
  • Incorrect folder permissions: When the folder that contains the company file has incorrect permissions, QuickBooks multi-user mode not working.
  • Incorrect hosting configuration: If you are hosting the company file on a server, make sure that the hosting configuration is set up correctly. Incorrect hosting configurations can prevent QuickBooks from accessing the file in multi-user mode.
  • Improper Installation of QuickBooks: When QuickBooks is not installed properly on the other computer then you face QuickBooks multi-user mode not syncing issue.
  • Incorrect DNS Settings: Due to improper setting of DNS, you can face issues when your QuickBooks switch to multi-user mode.

Pro Tip:

Now, you have handy steps that’ll resolve QuickBooks multi-user mode not working issue. It’s also important to note that QuickBooks is designed to utilize multi-user mode only on a network, so it’s important to ensure that the computer is properly configured for a network environment. If, after trying all of the above, the issue persists, it may be a good idea to contact our QuickBooks support team for further assistance. Thank You!