Troubleshoot QuickBooks Unable to Connect to Server

Occasionally, QuickBooks does not connect to the server when you’re doing accounting tasks or generating an invoice. It is possible that the company file on the server is inaccessible to QuickBooks, or that the connection to it is lost. QuickBooks unable to connect to server is an error that can disrupt workflows, especially in a multi-user setup where multiple users need simultaneous access to the company file. This server connection issue usually arises when the QuickBooks Database Server Manager cannot connect properly to the server. Additionally, network issues, using an outdated version of QuickBooks, and incorrect settings are also the causes of this error.

In this article, you will learn about the QuickBooks not connecting to server error, its causes, and how to resolve this. Also how to fix the ‘QuickBooks workstation not connecting to server’ ‘QuickBooks POS not connecting to server, ‘QuickBooks could not connect to the email server’ issue. Updating QuickBooks, configuring the Database Server Manager, and setting up antivirus software are the resolutions for this error. Following the step-by-step guide mentioned here will help you restore connectivity and ensure uninterrupted access to QuickBooks.

Troubleshooting Issue QuickBooks Unable to Connect to Server

If QuickBooks unable to connect to server, as we have seen above, you may receive a range of error messages. Examining each of these concerns individually will help us to troubleshoot it.

Error 1: QuickBooks workstation not connecting to server

To fix the workstation not connecting to server error in QuickBooks Desktop try these solutions:

• Restart the Server: Power down your server computer (where QuickBooks is hosted) and restart it. When it comes to icing such errors, simply rebooting the server is enough to fix the connection.
• Check Firewall and Antivirus Settings: Temporarily disable any firewall or antivirus software on the server and the workstation experiencing the issue. These security settings can sometimes block QuickBooks from connecting.
• Update QuickBooks Tool Hub: Download and run the “Quick Fix My Program” tool from the QuickBooks Tool Hub. This tool can resolve common issues affecting QuickBooks connections.
• Set Up Firewall Rules: Configure inbound and outbound firewall rules on the server.
• Rename QBWUSER.ini File: Locate and rename the QBWUSER.ini file. Renaming this file can resolve issues related to configuration conflicts.

Error 2: QuickBooks could not connect to the email server

When logging in with your login credentials in QB Desktop webmail; you may occasionally see the following messages.

“We were unable to connect to the email server for your email provider“

QuickBooks was unable to send your form as it was unable to comprehend the response from the remote server, but it was able to connect it. Seeing as how QuickBooks could not connect to the email server, let’s see how to resolve it.

Make QuickBooks Desktop Updates

To make sure your program has the newest features and bug fixes, you must first update QuickBooks Desktop. In order to make sure your application is always up to date, you can also schedule automatic updates.

Check your Webmail Settings and Preferences

• Open QuickBooks Desktop and select the Edit menu.
• Select Preferences.
• In the left pane, select Send Forms.
• Navigate to the My Preferences area and select the email account that you are currently using.
• Press the Edit button.
• The Edit Email Info screen will be displayed to you.
• Assign the server name and port to the email provider’s settings in the SMTP Server Details field.

The specifics will vary based on the email or internet service provider you are using.

Restore the Original Explorer Settings

The internet settings are something else we should check. Open Internet Options and follow the instructions to return to the default settings.

• Launch the Start menu.
• Look up “Internet Options.”
• Press and hold the Advanced tab.
• Press the Restore Advanced Settings button.
• Once completed, shut the window.
• Verify that QuickBooks can now connect to the email server after finishing.
• There’s No Webmail Usage

A Few Particular Concerns

To help you with a few specific problems you might run into when using Webmail in QBDT, we have put some advice below.

• Your firewall is preventing the connection or you are not connected to the internet.
  • Launch any webpage in your Microsoft Internet browser (Microsoft Edge or Internet Explorer), then see if it functions.
• The settings for your email server are not correct.
  • To set webmail preferences, proceed as directed in step 2.
• Either your email address or password was entered incorrectly.
  • To see if it functions, open your web browser, go to your email service, and log in using those credentials.

Factors such as antivirus settings or incorrect email details submitted are responsible if these Methods don’t work and you continue to get the error. Follow the given Methods as per the error message displayed on your computer screen.

Error Messages	Solutions
“Your email server settings are incorrect”	Ensure correct settings by referring to Method 2.
“You are not connected to the internet or your firewall is blocking the connection”	Open Internet Explorer and check whether any other website is accessible or not.
“You entered an incorrect email address or password”	Verify whether your email and passwords work by logging into another web browser.

Error 3: Connection to the company file has been lost

An error message similar to the one below may appear in QuickBooks Desktop when it encounters difficulties accessing the company file:

• The company file’s connection has been lost. QuickBooks needs to shut down right away. It will be necessary to reenter any unsaved data.
• In both single-user and multi-user modes, QuickBooks may lose connection to the company file.

If you are utilizing QuickBooks as a Single-user mode

Here are some possible causes for the error message “The connection to the company file has been lost” that appears when using QuickBooks in single-user mode:

• The company file’s folder may not be accessible to QuickBooks due to insufficient permissions.
• QuickBooks Desktop may be blocked by an antivirus or security program.
• The QuickBooks company file may have data damage.

Come with us and we’ll see how you can fix this.

Restart QuickBooks Desktop

Sometimes, the problem might just be momentary, and restarting your program will take care of it. To sign into the company file, restart the QuickBooks application. Verify if the problem still occurs.

Launch Quick Repair My Program and QuickBooks File Doctor

For resolving company file problems, QuickBooks Tool Hub includes a special section. QuickBooks File Doctor and Quick Fix My Program is available when you select the company file issues tab.

• To resolve the connectivity issue to the company file, run File Doctor and Quick Fix My Program.
• Open QuickBooks Desktop and log into the company file after you’re done. Verify that you can work without problems.

If you have a portable drive with QuickBooks on it

• Verify that your portable drive and computer are connected properly by checking.
• Turn off and then turn on the drive again.
• Let’s now see if you can locate your company file on the portable drive by looking through My Computer or My PC.
• Make sure the drive has sufficient free space—at least the size of the company file.
• To make sure it’s operating properly, you can also try saving another file to your drive. Your drive is having problems if it doesn’t work. You have access to another drive.

If the QuickBooks multi-user mode is being used

This entails taking several actions to guarantee that you can operate in a multi-user setting without encountering an error.

Error 4: Cannot Communicate with the Company File Due to Firewall

In such a scenario, the company file that is kept on the server will not be accessible to QuickBooks Desktop. While we look for a solution, let’s make sure you can connect to the server.

Make QuickBooks Desktop Updates

Install the most recent version of QuickBooks Desktop before starting to troubleshoot the connectivity issue with the QuickBooks server. This guarantees that the software and parts you have are up to date.

Open QuickBooks File Doctor

QuickBooks File Doctor resolves common network and company file problems. As a result, launch QuickBooks File Doctor and see if you can now establish a connection with the server. Proceed to the following given steps in case you are facing issue.

Set up the Firewall Configuration

Permission for QuickBooks must be obtained via your operating system’s firewall, whether it is MacOS or Windows. Thus, make sure the QuickBooks application has network access by configuring your firewall.

Verify if any antivirus software is blocking

Make sure QuickBooks isn’t being blocked by antivirus or security software after you’ve examined and confirmed the Mac OS or Windows firewall. Make QuickBooks antivirus exclusions for the security or antivirus programs you use if you have any suspicions about that.

After restarting your computer, see if QuickBooks can establish a connection with the server.

Diagnose and Fix Multi-User Problems

But if, even after trying the aforementioned fixes, you still can’t get the workstation to connect to the server, there may be problems with the hosting configuration or folder permissions.

Error 5: QuickBooks POS Not Connecting to Server

You are encountering QuickBooks POS not connecting to server error due to a few different reasons, such as:

Reasons for QuickBooks POS not connecting to the server

There are several causes for the server connection issue with QuickBooks POS. For instance:

• Possible non-multiuser mode on the server
• The company file could be broken.
• The server may not be reachable by the workstation over the network.
• Windows security prevents the connection from being made.
• The installation of QuickBooks Point of Sale (POS) is damaged.
• There is a chance that the workstation and the server have different subnet masks.

To fix the ‘QuickBooks POS Not Connecting to Server’ error, you will have to refer to the Methods provided below:

Troubleshooting of QuickBooks POS is not connecting with the server

Even though you can ping back and forth and your firewall is open on all recommended ports, is your QuickBooks Point of Sale not connecting to the server? There’s still no connection between the QuickBooks POS and the firewall, even after you disable the ports and check.

Let’s investigate the issue and learn how to fix it so that QuickBooks POS can connect to the server.

Verifying the Server’s Connectivity for QuickBooks POS

Having ascertained the causes of POS’s failure to establish a connection with the server, let us examine potential fixes

Activate the Workstation’s Network Discovery

Now let’s verify that the workstation’s network discovery is activated.

• Establish an administrator login in Windows.
• To access the Control Panel, open it.
• Hit the Network and Sharing Centre button. Press the Adjust advanced sharing settings button now.
• Go over to the section for Network Discovery.
• Make sure that you will enable the Network Discovery.

Navigate to the next step once you are done with all.

Ascertain that the workstation and server are in multi-user mode

Making sure the workstation and server are in the multi-user mode is necessary. First, on the workstation where the problem occurred, follow these steps on the server computer:

• Start the QuickBooks Desktop application.
• Click the File menu.
• Select the Multi-user Mode option now. In the event that you only see the option to switch to single-user mode rather than to switch to multi-user mode, you are already in multi-user mode.

Now verify that Point of Sale and the server can establish a connection. Now you have to proceed to the following steps if you are still facing the issue.

Manually configure the Windows firewall

A Windows Firewall block could prevent the POS from connecting to the server. Let’s examine the manual process of configuring the Windows Firewall to permit communication with the server.

• Press the Windows and R keys simultaneously. The Run command will now be available.
• Input control and hit the Enter key. In doing so, the Control Panel will open.
• After selecting Small Icons, click View by.
• Locate and choose Windows Firewall now.
• Choose Inbound after tapping on Advanced Settings.
• Decide on the New Regulation.
• Please supply the port numbers.
• Choose Next.
• Click Allow Connection, and then click Next.
• Ultimately, press the Finish button.
• Proceed with the same steps to generate an Outbound Rule now. Select Outbound from the options you previously selected, Inbound.

Firewall Ports of the QuickBooks Desktop POS

Port	Port No.(s)
TCP	8035, 8025, 8024, 8040, 8443, 8036, 46216-46220, 46203, 46228, 46225, 2638, 443
UDP	2638, 8036, 8035, 8024

The Entitlement Client folder should be empty

• You must access the Entitlement Client folder and remove all contents.
• To launch File Explorer, hit the Windows + E keyboard shortcut.
• Go to C:\Program Data\Intuit\Entitlement Client\v8 in your browser.
• To select every file in the folder, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + A.
• Now, use your keyboard to press the Delete button.
• To make sure, tap yes.
• Reregister the application.

Check to see if the POS can now successfully connect to the server. If the issue persists, take the following actions.

Rename WSActivity

Turn on Display the hidden files and folders option on your computer before proceeding with the steps below.

• To launch File Explorer, simultaneously press the Windows and E keys.
• Access QuickBooks Point of Sale XX\Ini by going to C:\Program Data\Intuit.
• Simply right-click WSActivity. Go with Rename.
• After renaming the entity to OLDWSActivity, save the modifications.
• Put an end to file explorer.
• Launch QB Desktop Point of Sale.

The QuickBooks Point of Sale (POS) should no longer experience connectivity problems as a result.

Final Words

That concludes the list of troubleshooting steps to take if your QuickBooks unable to connect to server. You can fix these problems in Point of Sale (POS), QuickBooks Desktop, and QuickBooks Online. However, get in touch with us if you discover that the problem you encountered still exists or if QuickBooks isn’t operating properly. QuickBooks will function flawlessly in no time with the help of us.

Frequently Asked Questions