Sometimes, it happens that you access QuickBooks, double-click the application icon to launch it, but can’t open the application. A screen flashes, but QuickBooks never opens. The application icon appears in the taskbar, but you won’t see QuickBooks on your screen. However many times you click on the icon on the toolbar, it will stay minimized. There could be various factors that lead to this problem.
In this walkthrough, we will understand why QuickBooks is open but not displaying and learn how to resolve the issue.
If QuickBooks opens but does not show, and you are unable to access it, connect with a QB Expert or Dial +1-(855)-955-1942.
Why QuickBooks Shows Running But Will Not Open
There could be many reasons why QuickBooks shows running but will not open, for instance:
- QBWUSer.ini file or EntitlementDataStore.ecml file is corrupted or needs to be recreated.
- The QuickBooks installation file, Windows components, or installation or registry are invalid.
- The data in the QB does not have adequate permission to run.
- The computer is connected to multiple displays, and the application is open on another.
- The data in one of the company files is damaged.
- Corrupted or damaged files during the installation of the QuickBooks program.
Although this error occurs for many reasons, let’s examine how to fix it.
Salient Ways To Fix QuickBooks Open But Not Showing Issue
After understanding the reasons for QuickBooks open but not showing, let’s look at how to resolve it. This is a multi-step process. Therefore, follow the steps listed below one by one and carry them out as instructed.
1. Restart QuickBooks Desktop
Restarting the QB Desktop can fix the issue where QuickBooks opens but does not appear.
- At first, close all the running tasks in the QB application
- Close the QB Desktop application.
- Restart the application once all the tasks are closed.
Now, check if the application is running correctly. If you face a problem, move to the next step.
2. Run QuickBooks as Administrator
Try running QuickBooks as an Administrator by following the steps below.
- Close all the running QuickBooks windows.
- Head over to the Start menu and find QuickBooks.
- Right-click on QuickBooks> click on Run as administrator.
Certainly, verify if the application is still open and facing the same issue. If yes, follow the next troubleshooting steps.
3. Repair the QuickBooks Program
QB will not work correctly if there is any damage to the program. Download and install QuickBooks Tool Hub. The Tool Hub comes stacked with various tools to help you troubleshoot major QuickBooks problems. These are the tools we need to run from the Tool Hub.
- Quick Fix My Program.
- QuickBooks Program Diagnostic Tool.
Before performing the steps, you must end all the QuickBooks tasks ( you can do so using Task Manager)
- Head to Program Problems.
- Click on Quick Fix My Program.
- Once done, go back to Program Problems.
- Choose the QuickBooks Program Diagnostic Tool and wait for 10-15 minutes.
Once done, start the QB menu.
4. Check the FISP Settings
Company operations often require FISP settings to be enabled. We need to turn off the FISP Cryptography settings to solve this error.
- Access the Start menu and search for Run.
- Search for GPEDIT.MSC
- Under the Local Computer Policy, select Computer Configuration.
- Select the Windows Settings > Security Settings.
- Head over to Local Policies and select Security Options.
- Select System Cryptography FIPS.
- Restart the system and launch QuickBooks Desktop.
If it still shows the same issue, proceed with the next troubleshooting step.
5. Add .Old extension in QBWUSER.ini and EntitlementDataStore.ecml File
Renaming the QBWUSER.ini file manually can fix the issue of the company files in QuickBooks. Here are the steps to rename the file manually.
- Close all the QuickBooks windows.
- Access File Explorer by hitting Windows + E on the keyboard.
- Find the folder where the QBWUSER.ini file is present.
- (The default location is \Users[Your user name]\AppData\Local\Intuit\QuickBooks [QB version year].)
- Enable the hidden files if you can’t find the file in the QB Folder.
- Rename by right-clicking on the QBWUSER.ini file and the EntitlementDataStore.ecml file.
- Include .old at the end of the file extension.
- After adding the extension, the file name should be QBWUSER.ini.old and EntitlementDataStore.ecml.old
Restart the QuickBooks Desktop and check if the issue is resolved.
6. Utilize the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool
If QuickBooks crashes, it lags more often than an incomplete or damaged file, which could be why you find QuickBooks Splash Screen Appears and Disappears Error. To fix that, the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool comes into play.
- Run QB Tool Hub and head over to the Installation Issues tab.
- Click on QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool.
- Wait for some time until the tool appears and initiates the process to repair the QB installation.
Once it is done, restart the computer and open the QuickBooks Desktop application.
7. Verify the Right Display in Case of Multiple Displays
This issue can arise when your computer is connected to multiple displays. To resolve it, choose the correct display to show the QB Desktop.
- Close QB Desktop
- Hit Windows + P on the keyboard.
- Select the PC screen only option.
- Restart the QB Desktop.
This can help choose the correct display to show your application in the system.
8. Clean Install QuickBooks Desktop
If nothing helps, you should opt for a fresh start. For that, clean install the QuickBooks Desktop application. This includes uninstalling the program, getting rid of malicious files, and then installing the program again.
After doing so, enter your product information to activate QB Desktop and resume working.
Conclusion
In this article, we thoroughly explored the QuickBooks issue of being open but not showing and discovered the reasons behind its occurrence. Hopefully, now you know how to address the issue and can resume working on your QuickBooks Desktop application. If you are still facing this error after performing the troubleshooting steps, feel free to contact a QB Expert. Dial +1-(855)-955-1942 24*7!
Frequently Asked Questions
This error occurs when you open QuickBooks. It appears in the taskbar but not in the main window. If your computer is connected to multiple displays, QuickBooks might be open on another display. If not, repair your QuickBooks program using the QB Tool Hub.
When you try to access QuickBooks, sometimes it won’t open. Here are some methods to resolve this:
1. Run Quick Fix My Program: Download the QuickBooks Tool Hub and install it. Launch the QB Tool Hub and head over to Quick Fix My Program.
2. Add .old extension: Locate the QBWUSER.ini and EntitlementDataStore.ecml File and right-click on it to rename it. Include .old extension to the QBWUSER.ini and EntitlementDataStore.ecml files and then save them.
3. Restart QuickBooks Desktop: Close the current running tasks in QuickBooks by pressing Alt+F4 on the keyboard.
4. Verify the correct display in use: To check that the proper display is in use for the system, press Windows + P on the keyboard and then select the PC screen only option. Restart the system after performing this step.
To restart QuickBooks Desktop, follow the steps mentioned below.
1. Right-click on the QuickBooks icon on the taskbar and close all the windows.
2. Now, press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys together; this will launch the Task Manager.
3. Click on the QuickBooks programs you see, and choose the end task.
