QuickBooks Company File Not Found: A Complete Guide

QuickBooks is a software that helps businesses manage their accounting operations, such as paycheck creation, employee payout management, and creating tax tables. The essential component in QB for any business is the company file that they create for managing reports and keeping records. There can be times when you encounter the QuickBooks company file not found error in your system, and it might be because of missing files, incorrect file paths, or network issues in your system. This blog delves into this error and also talks about the troubleshooting methods through which you can easily fix it. 

If you still need any help with fixing the company file in your QuickBooks, feel free to get free assistance from our experts at +1-(855)-955-1942.

Reasons Behind the QuickBooks Company File Not Found Issue

If you cannot access or find your company file in your system, you will be unable to perform any operations. Here are the reasons behind the QuickBooks company file not found error: 

• The company file location may be changed to a different location, which can result in the company file not found in QuickBooks Desktop​.
• If the file is deleted by mistake or overwritten from the network or local storage, it may be lost.
• When the hosting settings or the database server manager are unable to start, this can also trigger this issue.
• If you attempt to access .qbw or .qbb files improperly, it can also cause issues with your use of QuickBooks.
• The company file name is too large or exceeds the word limit.
• When the QuickBooks QBWUSER.ini file is missing or damaged, this error can be seen.
• When your system’s hard drive is damaged or corrupted..
• If the program files are damaged or corrupted, the company file can’t run properly. 
• Using an outdated version of the QB Desktop application can cause this error.
• When you are not accessing QuickBooks as an admin, you might not have sufficient permissions to use the company file.
• Any virus or malware file may also cause this error.

These are some potential culprits that can cause your company file not found in QuickBooks​.

Things to Consider Before Fixing the QuickBooks Company File Not Found

Before we move on to the troubleshooting methods, through which you can fix this error, there are some things you need to ensure:

• Check if you are logged in as a Windows Admin.
• Enable network discovery if using multi-user mode.
• Confirm the internet connection is stable and good.
• Eliminate all background QuickBooks processes through Task Manager.
• Keep your QuickBooks Desktop updated.
• Verify the system firewall and antivirus settings.
• Keep the data file backed up regularly.

These guidelines will help you secure your data and rectify the issue.

Top Solutions for the QuickBooks Company File Not Found Error

After identifying the potential causes of the QuickBooks company file not found error, let’s proceed with troubleshooting methods to resolve this issue.

Solution 1: Update the QuickBooks

Staying on an older version can also create chaos for you, and you may face the error Company file not found:

• Launch QuickBooks.
• Go to the Help menu.
• Select the Update QuickBooks Desktop option.
• Click on Update Now.
• Select Get Updates.

Once the update is completed, restart QuickBooks and check if the error persists. 

Solution 2: Repair the Company File

If the files are corrupted, then fixing or repairing the company file can fix this issue.

• Head over to the official Intuit website and download the QuickBooks Tool Hub. 
• Then, run the QuickBooks Tool Hub. 
• Click on the Company File Issues tab.
• Now, choose the Quick Fix My File option and tap on Run File Doctor.
• Locate and select the company file.
• Select the “Check your File” option and input the admin information.

Now, wait for some time and let the tool run for 15-20 minutes to fix the company file issues.

Solution 3: Save the Company File 

Saving the files in their default location will help you troubleshoot and fix the QuickBooks company file not found error. To save the files, follow these steps.

• Access the search bar in your taskbar.
• Use an asterisk (*) and then the file extension in your search bar, such as:
  • .qbw- Company files
  • .qbb- Backup files
  • .qbx- Accountant’s Transfer Copy
  • .qby or .qba- Accountant files

• Now, locate the file, right-click on it, and then tap on Open file location.
• Then copy the company file.
• Move to the C:\Users\Public\PublicDocuments\Intuit\QuickBooks20XX\ (XX referred to as your QB version).
• Paste the file that you copied earlier.

After completing the steps to save the company file, verify if the QuickBooks error code company file not found persists, if this issue still troubles you, follow the next troubleshooting method.

Solution 4: Check the Network Connection

If your internet connection is weak or blocking your access to the company files, then checking the network connection can fix this issue.

Enable the Network Discovery

• Access the Control Panel.
• Select the Network and Sharing Center option.
• Choose the Change advanced sharing settings.
• Choose Turn on network discovery under the Network Discovery option.
• Turn off the Protected Sharing option.
• Hit Save Changes.

Launch the Ping Test

• Press Windows + R and type “cmd” in the Run command.
• In the Command Prompt window, type ipconfig/all and press Enter.
• Here, note the Host Name of the server.
• Write ping (Host Name).
• Hit Enter and verify the results.
  • If all the packets are received, that means the connection is fine.
  • If you observe packet loss, then you are required to contact the network administrator.

Following the steps mentioned above will help you verify and ping the network connection to fix this error.

Solution 5: Rename the .TLG and .ND Files

This error may occur if the file name is causing trouble. Try to add the .old extension to the file name to avoid this error.

• Locate the folder containing the company file.
  • Usually, the default location is: C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Intuit\QuickBooks\Company Files

• Locate the files with the same name and the same extension .ND and .TLG.
• Right-click on the file and choose the Rename option.
• Include the extension “.old” after the file name and hit Enter.

Performing these steps will help you modify the company file and fix this error if it is related to the file name.

Solution 6: Verify the Hosting Settings

You can easily fix this issue in your company file by enabling the hosting settings.

• Access QuickBooks and go to the File menu.
• Now, head to the Utilities and then the Stop Hosting Multi-User Access option.
• Perform the same steps again for all the users connected to the workstation.
• Now, restart the system in the network.

After you have followed the steps mentioned above, enable the server hosting again.

Solution 7: Turn off the Save When Closing Option

QuickBooks sometimes launches the previously accessed file, which can create an issue in your company file. Perform these steps to disable the Save when closing feature.

• Access QuickBooks to the No Company Open window.
• Choose the company file.
• Hold the Alt key and tap on Open.
• Head to the Edit > Preferences > Desktop View.
• Select the “Don’t Save the Desktop” option.
• Then click OK.
• Close and reopen QuickBooks and your file.

If this issue still troubles you, let’s rename the company file and fix this issue.

Solution 8: Rename the Company File

Sometimes the issue can be with the name of the company file in your QuickBooks application. Try these steps to fix this problem.

• Launch the File Explorer.
• Move to the default file saving location in your system.
• Right-click and select the “Rename” option for the .qbb extension file.
• If there are any special characters in the company file name, such as <, >, %, &, $, delete them.
• Press Enter to save the new file name.
• Right-click the renamed file and select Properties.
• Under the General section, select the Advanced tab.
• Here, the boxes for Encrypt contents and Compress contents should be unchecked.
• Click OK to apply changes.

Renaming can help you fix the issue if it is related to the name of the file.

Solution 9: Launch QuickBooks as an Admin

If none of the methods mentioned above resolve this issue, try accessing the QuickBooks application as an admin.

• Find the QuickBooks icon on the screen.
• Right-click on the QuickBooks icon.
• Click on the Run as Administrator option.

Now, retry opening your company file in multi-user mode and check if the error persists.

Conclusion

This blog provided detailed information about the QuickBooks company file not found error in your system. We have outlined the reasons and guidelines for maintaining this error. Moreover, we have discussed the troubleshooting methods through which you can tackle this error and stop it from occurring in the future. This guide will help you not only tackle but also understand in depth the company file issue. If you need any further help with your company file, feel free to get in touch with our experts for a free consultation at +1-(855)-955-1942.

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Robert Downe SEO Editor

Robert is an accounting professional, well versed in many accounting software. He has established himself as a QuickBooks expert over the past ten years. Robert finds great joy in assisting businesses and accountants all over the country so that they can manage their finances seamlessly. He does so individually and through his blogs.

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