When attempting to access the QB company file in a multi-user environment, sometimes, you can experience various problems. One of the most common challenges that you might face is QuickBooks error 80040408. Here are the error messages that can appear on your system’s screen:
| “Error Occurred: ERROR [00000] [QODBC] QB Begin Session Failed : Error = 80040408, Could Not Start QuickBooks.” |
| “QBXMLSession_OpenConnection File named F:\QB Data\Rock Castle.QBW is not opened. BeginSessionError Code: 80040408 Could not start QuickBooks.” |
This difficult issue occurs due to various causes such as improper multi-user hosting configuration, network problems, and software conflicts. The good thing is that there are multiple strategies that you can adopt to resolve this problem seamlessly.
Let’s navigate through the article to explore the different causes of this error and how we can fix it using various methods.
If you need immediate assistance to eliminate QuickBooks error 80040408, you can dial +1-(855)-955-1942 to connect with an experienced QB professional.
Why Do You Get 80040408 Multi-User Mode Error in QuickBooks?
Here are the common factors that might provoke QuickBooks error 80040408:
- You might have changed the name of the company file, and thus, it might have become inaccessible.
- Someone else may have already accessed the QB company file in a single-user mode.
- You may have moved the company file to a different location, and thus, QuickBooks might not be able to connect with it.
- The dedicated server on your network might be logged out/shut down, and thus, you might fail when accessing the data file.
- An active QuickStart feature in QuickBooks can trigger various problems, including this error code.
- Running an outdated QuickBooks version is another major cause of multi-user mode problems, including error code H202.
- If you haven’t installed the latest Windows updates, your QB application might not function accurately, and you can encounter different problems.
- QB may have been configured to open up a particular company file before launching multiple company files.
- Defective settings of the QQube Configuration Tool can cause failure when connecting to the server to open data files.
- You may have been running QuickBooks with admin privileges, and thus, you might face various issues when connecting to the server on your network.
Now that you are fully aware of all the reasons behind this problem, let’s scroll down to the next section to discover how to fix it.
Utilize 10 Instant Tricks to Fix QuickBooks Error 80040408
Below are the comprehensive troubleshooting methods for QuickBooks error 80040408. Ensure that you utilize these solutions in the exact order as they are written.
1. Download and Install QuickBooks Updates
You are likely to run into the 80040408 error code if you haven’t updated QB Desktop. When you update QuickBooks Desktop, you are able to utilize fresh tools and services. Moreover, the updated QB has bug fixes and other common improvements that allow faster access to the data file in a multi-user environment.
If, however, you still encounter QuickBooks error 80040408, try the following troubleshooting hack.
2. Switch Off the Quick Startups Facility in QuickBooks
When the Quick Startups feature is enabled in QB Desktop, you can face various issues, such as error code 6144 82, when opening data files in a multi-user environment. Once you turn off this feature, you can effortlessly connect to the server and access company files. Here’s what you need to do:
- Open QB Desktop and move to the General menu.
- Select My Preferences, and after that, you need to clear the Keep QuickBooks Running For Quick Startups checkbox.
- Finally, tap OK and reopen QB Desktop to access your company files using the multi-user mode feature.
Do you still get QuickBooks error 80040408? If that’s the case, consider ensuring that QB doesn’t run with admin rights as detailed below.
3. Ensure QB Desktop Does Not Function in Admin Mode
Running QuickBooks in admin mode can cause various issues, such as error code 6175 0, when you attempt to connect to the server to access data files. Once you start using QB without admin privileges, you can seamlessly access company files. Here’s what you should do:
- First & foremost, right-click the QuickBooks Desktop icon located on Windows Desktop and choose Properties.
- In the Properties window on the screen, ensure that the Run this program as an administrator checkbox is clear.
- You should click the Change Settings For All Users button in the same window.
- In the new pop-up window, you have to clear the Run this program as an administrator checkbox.
- Tap OK and save the modified settings. After that, open QuickBooks and seamlessly access your data files using the multi-user mode feature.
If, however, you continue to encounter QuickBooks error 80040408, try installing Windows Updates as explained below.
4. Install the Newest Windows Updates
If you have not updated Windows for a long time, you might face difficult issues when running QB Desktop. When you have the latest Windows updates installed on your computer, QuickBooks will function seamlessly, ensuring proper access to company files stored on the server.
If, however, you find that QuickBooks error 80040408 still persists, consider restoring the company file to Windows Desktop, as mentioned below.
5. Relocate the Company File to Windows Desktop to Resolve QuickBooks Error 80040408
QuickBooks error message 80040408 can occur if you have transferred the company file to a different location. Once you relocate the company file to Windows Desktop, you can easily access it in a multi-user environment. Here’s what you must do:
- Access QB Desktop and go to the No Company Open window.
- Click the Find a Company File option and view the entire list of different company files (.QBW).
- Identify the location of the relevant company file and go to that location.
- Right-click the company file icon (.QBW) and select Copy. After that, move back to Windows Desktop and right-click the screen.
- Choose Paste to seamlessly move the copied company file to Windows Desktop.
- Access QB Desktop and tap the Open or Restore an Existing Company option.
- At this point, click the Open a Company File option and utilize the Browse button to select the company file located on Windows Desktop.
- Finally, click Open to access the company file on your system.
If you still face QuickBooks error 80040408, consider revising Windows Firewall settings as elaborated below.
6. Exclude QB Desktop Programs From Windows Firewall
Windows Firewall can block the execution of various QB programs, and thus, you might face problems when accessing company files in a multi-user environment. To fix this issue, you should exempt QB programs from Windows Firewall on your computer. When you have ensured that the Windows Firewall app doesn’t restrict QB programs, you can access company files very easily.
If, however, you continue to run into QuickBooks error 80040408, try the following resolution.
7. Ensure that the Company File Has Its Original Name
Modifying the company file can make it inaccessible, leading to the occurrence of the 80040408 error in QB Desktop. When you rename the company file back to the original, you can seamlessly access it. Here’s what you can do:
- Firstly, you should create and save a backup company file on your computer.
- Open QB Desktop and press F2 to launch the Product Information window.
- In the File Information section, you can note the current location of the company file.
- Open the File Explorer window and navigate to the location of the company file.
- Right-click the company file (.QBW) and select Rename. After that, modify the company file name so that its original name is restored.
- Hit Enter and reopen QB Desktop to access the company file.
Do you still run into QuickBooks error 80040408? If so, try logging out of all the systems running in single-user mode, as elaborated below.
8. Stop Running QB in Single-User Mode On Various Systems
QuickBooks Desktop error message 80040408 can occur if any user on a different workstation has already opened the company file in single-user mode. To resolve this problem, you have to close QB Desktop on all the workstations on your network except the one affected by the error. You can check out our guide on QB multi-user mode not working for further information.
If, however, you still encounter QuickBooks error 80040408, try checking the network connection between the server & workstations as explained below.
9. Review the Connection Between the Server and Your Workstation
You can encounter the 80040408 error code in QB if the connection between the server and the workstation is imperfect. Therefore, you should check the network connection and ensure that the workstation can seamlessly communicate with the server. Here’s what you need to do:
- Open the server system and press Windows + R to launch the Run window.
- In the Run window, type CMD and hit Enter to open up the Command Prompt window.
- At this point, type ipconfig/all in the Command Prompt window and hit Enter.
- Identify the Host Name and note the server name shown beside it.. After that, go to the affected workstation and open the Command Prompt window.
- Type ‘ping[server name]’ and tap Enter. Don’t include brackets when you type the server name.
- At this point, if you get replies for all packets without any loss, it shows that the connection is working fine. Otherwise, you can contact any IT professional to repair your network.
Do you face QuickBooks error 80040408 even after repairing your network connection? If so, consider using the following troubleshooting method.
10. Stop Various Third-Party Apps Running in the Background
The constant execution of different third-party programs in the background can consume system resources, and thus, QB Desktop might not function accurately. This can lead to errors, such as QuickBooks error 6000 95 when opening the company file in a multi-user environment. To fix this issue, you can simply stop the execution of various third-party apps. Here’s how to do so:
- Firstly, you can press Ctrl + Alt + Delete to open up the Task Manager window.
- Navigate to the Task Manager and choose the Processes menu.
- At this point, select various third-party apps that are currently running in the background.
- Click the End Task button to stop the execution of selected third-party programs on your system.
Finally, you can open QuickBooks Desktop using the multi-user mode feature and access various company files.
Conclusion
In this detailed article, we have discussed multiple resolutions for QuickBooks error 80040408. Hopefully, you can now seamlessly open the company file using the multi-user mode feature.
If, however, you still run into this error code or have a query, you can contact a QB professional for real-time assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can run into various multi-user mode errors in QB, such as QuickBooks error 80040408 and error code 80070057, due to different reasons like outdated Windows, interference by security apps, faulty network connection, and damaged software installation. In addition, conflicts with different apps running in the background can cause a shortage of system resources, ultimately leading to multi-user mode error codes.
You can resolve QuickBooks error 80040408 using the following tactics:
a. Ensure that the connection between the server & workstations is working correctly.
b. Install Windows updates on your workstations and the server.
c. Create exclusions for QB programs in different security apps, such as Windows Firewall.
d. Ensure that the company file has its original name.
e. Stop various third-party programs running in the background.
Here are a few precautionary steps you can implement to avoid multi-user mode issues, such as QuickBooks error 80040408:
a. Keep your QB Desktop app updated to the latest edition.
b. Regularly run antivirus scans on your system.
c. Erase junk files from your computer.
d. Repair your company data using different tools, such as QuickBooks File Doctor.
e. Install Windows updates on your system.
