How to Fix When QuickBooks Multi-User Mode Not Working

Multi-user mode is a smart feature provided by Intuit QuickBooks. Using this feature, multiple users can work on the same QB company file simultaneously. However, due to some technical glitches, users tend to encounter “QuickBooks multi-user mode not working” errors on their screens. This prevents users from working on the company at the same time in multi-user mode.

To get rid of QuickBooks multi user mode error, we bring you some best and most effective ways. Let’s get started!

What are the Major Reasons that QuickBooks Not Working in Multi-user Mode?

Generally, QuickBooks multi user mode error arises when you open the company file that is saved on the server. Other issues can lead to disruption and you fail to access company files in multi-user mode.

• The QuickBooks program is not installed on a server.
• Misconfigured hosting settings.
• Permissions are not set properly for Windows files.
• Antivirus programs and Windows firewalls are probably disrupting the connection between computers and users.
• QuickBooks Database Server Manager is missing on the server computer.
• The database server has no rights to access the company files.
• You have not started the QuickBooksDBXX services yet.
• Incorrect or damaged .ND files.

These causes will help you to solve the “QuickBooks not opening in multi-user mode” error. But before moving ahead, you should install the QuickBooks Database Server Manager service. Along with this, you should make sure that you download the server manager version that is the same as your QuickBooks version.

How to Fix the “QuickBooks Multi-user Mode Not Working” Error?

Technical issues related to the multi-user mode can be resolved if you correct the hosting settings. If you configure the hosting settings, ping the server from the workstation, and run QuickBooks Database Server Manager then you can fix the “QuickBooks 2016 multi-user mode not working” error quickly.

In case these methods are not sufficient then you can repair the company files using the QuickBooks File Doctor Tool. If QuickBooks Support files such as TLG and ND files are damaged, you can try renaming them. Users should also make sure that the QuickBooks program is able to send the data.

For more specific reasons, We will discuss each method with a proper guide.

Fix 1: Repair Files with QuickBooks File Doctor Tool

QuickBooks File Doctor Tool is a smart tool that thoroughly scans the company files, finds the possible errors in company files, and repairs them in no time. If you confront the “QuickBooks 2016 multi-user mode not working” error then you may not access the company file due to the damaged files. By using the QuickBooks File Doctor tool, you can repair the damaged QuickBooks company files.

Tip: We recommend you download QuickBooks Tool Hub on a Windows computer. This tool offers multiple diagnostic tools. You can even use the QuickBooks File Doctor tool from it.

After downloading and installing the QuickBooks Tool Hub on a Windows computer, you can pursue these steps stated below:

• Launch the “QuickBooks Tool Hub” on your computer.
• Go to the “Company File” Issues tab. This should be located on the left.
• Then, select the “Run QuickBooks File Doctor” button.
• Here, the “Browse” button should be selected.
• Now, you need to choose the QuickBooks company file that you want to repair.
• At this point, you should select the “Check your file” option.
• Press the “Continue” button.
• After that, you can log in to the company file with the correct admin rights.
• Press the “Continue” button.

Once you are done using the QuickBooks File Doctor tool, you will notice the company files are repaired. This way you can solve the “QuickBooks multi-user mode error”.

Fix 2: Check QuickBooks Hosting Settings

Multi-user mode is the feature that allows multiple users to access the same company files on different devices at the same time. But, if you are facing difficulties using multi-user mode then you should verify your QuickBooks hosting settings on the workstation and the server of the user.

In case you find the multi-user access disabled then enable it. All you have to do is go to the File menu, select the Utilities, and enable multi-user mode.

Here are the following instructions:

• Open “QuickBooks” on the user’s workstation.
• Go to the “File” menu located on the top left.
• Select the “Utilities” option.
• At this point, you need to click on the “Stop Hosting Multi-User Access” from the list of options.

Remember, if you see the Host Multi-User option instead of Stop Hosting Multi-User Access then it indicates the hosting settings are configured properly on the workstation. After that, you can switch to the server computer and relaunch QuickBooks.

• Go to the “File” menu located on the top left.
• Select the “Utilities” option.
• Here, you need to find the “Stop Hosting Multi-User Access” option. If you cannot find it then choose the same option. This will automatically switch to the Multi-User Access mode.

As you verify the QuickBooks hosting settings on a server, the error will be repaired. Thereafter, you can refresh the QuickBooks program or your computer and recheck if you find any errors.

Fix 3: Run QuickBooks Database Server Manager

By using the QuickBooks Database Server Manager service, you can scan the company files. The tool will automatically repair the Windows firewall permissions.

To use this service, you can take advantage of the QuickBooks Tool Hub. All you are required to do is go to the Network Issues tab and hit the QuickBooks Database Server Manager button.

• Launch the “QuickBooks Tool Hub” by clicking twice on its app icon.
• Then, switch to the “Network Issues” Issues tab which is available on the left.
• Here, you can press the “QuickBooks Database Server Manager” option. As you do so, you will get a prompt to install the QuickBooks program on a server if it is not installed.
• Now, select the “Start scan” option. You can also select the “Browse” button to locate the file. Thereafter, you can browse the file from your computer and click the “Start scan” button.
• Thereafter, “QuickBooks Database Server Manager” starts repairing Windows firewall permissions.

After you scan the company files and repair firewall permission, you can select the close button. To verify if the error has been resolved, you can launch the QuickBooks Desktop and access company files on a server.

Note: If your QuickBooks Database Server Manager is installed on other workstations then make sure you set it to host the multi-user network.

Fix 4: Rename TLG and ND File

Transaction Log (.TLG) and Network Data (.ND) are known as QuickBooks support files. By renaming these files, you can get rid of the QuickBooks multi-user mode error.

To rename QuickBooks support files, you just need to add OLD at the end of the file name. But make sure that QuickBooks Desktop is not running on multiple systems.

• To get started, open your company file on the server.
• Then, search for the file that has “TLG” in the end.
• After this, you can click right on the “TLG” file.
• Select the “Rename” option.
• Now, you can add “Old” after the TLG file name.

Once you are done, follow the same steps to rename the .ND file and close the folder. This is how you can rename the QuickBooks support file. After performing these steps, try to access the QuickBooks company files.

Fix 5: Restart QuickBooks Database Server Manager Service

If the QuickBooks Database Server Manager is missing on the server computer or the QuickBooksDBXX files are corrupted then this method will be helpful for you.

All you need to restart QuickBooks Database Server Manager Service. And, to do so, you can open the Run box and search the QuickBooks database server manager to restart it.

Follow these detailed steps:

• To open the “Run” box, you can press the “Windows + R” keys together.
• After this, type in “services.msc”.
• Press the “Enter” key.
• Scroll down a little and find the “QuickBooks Database Server Manager Service”.

Note: Database services may display different versions depending on what version you are using. For instance, you can see QuickBooksDB26, QuickBooksDB28, or QuickBooksDB27. Here, 26 stands for QuickBooks 2016, 28 stands for QuickBooks 2018, or 27 stands for QuickBooks 2017.

• As you get the “QuickBooks Database Server Manager Service”, you can click right on it.
• Then, choose the “Restart” button.

After you restart the QuickBooks Database Server Manager Service, you can open QuickBooks and try accessing the company files.

Fix 6: Make Sure QuickBooks Can Send Data

QuickBooks should be able to send the data and to determine this, we will perform a few steps. For instance, you can configure the antivirus and firewall settings, test paths to ensure if your accounting software can communicate with the server, open the company file from the UNC path, and create a new folder.

Configure Antivirus and Firewall Settings

Incorrect settings of the firewall can cause several problems. To prevent such errors, you can set exceptions to your firewall settings. Also, allow QuickBooks to transmit the data. To fix the antivirus and firewall settings, one can pursue the following instructions:

• Press the “Windows” key on the keyboard.
• Find the “Control Panel”.
• Locate “Windows firewall” and open it once you find it.
• When you see the prompt saying “an app through Windows Firewall” option.
• Select the “Change settings” option and click on the checkbox located under the list for your QuickBooks app.
• Click “OK”.
• Select the “Public” for your QuickBooks app.

Once these steps are implemented, you can open the QuickBooks program. Make sure you run it in the Multi-user mode so you can check if you confront the “QuickBooks not opening in multi-user mode” error.

Test the Path

By testing the path, you can check if your QuickBooks program can easily communicate with the server. To test the path, you will have to enable Network Discovery.

• Open the “Run” command using the “Windows + R” keys.
• Type “ping [servername]”.
• Click the “OK” option.

Now, you can use the Universal Naming Convention (UNC) on a user computer. This way you reach your shared folder on the server.

Access Company File using UNC Path

UNC is a syntax that is used by Windows. This describes the network resource location. By using the UNC path, you can open the file:

• Open your “QuickBooks”.
• Navigate through the “File” option.
• Then, click on the “Open or Restore Company” option.
• Click the “Open a company file”.
• Press the “Next” button.
• Then, choose the “My network places”.
• Now, double-click the network and reach the server location.
• Pick your company file.
• Click the “Open” button.

After that, you can try creating a new file folder for your company. This way, users can get rid of the “QuickBooks 2017 multi-user mode not working” error.

Fix 7: Ping Server from the Workstation

Since the error is related to the hosting, you should try to print the server from the workstation. To do so, you need to perform the following steps on the workstations and server where you are facing errors.

• Press the “Windows” key or click the “Start” icon.
• In the search bar, type “Network and sharing center” and open it when it appears in the result.
• Now, click the “Change Advanced Sharing” option. From this point, you need to enable the “Network Discovery” along with printer sharing and files.
• After that, you need to get the server name.
• Open the “Run” window and type “‘CMD”.
• Press the “Enter” key.
• In the “Command Prompt” window, type “ipconfig/all” and press the “Enter” key.
• At this point, you will see the name of the server next to a hostname. You should write down the hostname.
• Now, you should switch to the workstations to test the server.
• Click the “Start” button and open the “Run” box.
• Type “CMD” in the text field and press “‘Enter” key.
• In the “Command Prompt” window, type in “ping_[your server name]”.
• The “Enter” key should be pressed.
• Here, type the server name. Make sure you don’t use the brackets.

Now, you can create the folder for your company file on a hosting computer. You will also require Windows and folder access to share the company files. After that, you can create a folder and then shift your QBW file to a new location. This will surely fix the issue. To verify this, you can run QuickBooks in multi-user mode.

In a Nutshell

Multi-user mode works effectively to access the same company files. However, the “QuickBooks multi-user mode not working” error can disrupt the connection between the user and server due to which you fail to access the company files. Through this guide, we have explained the best and most effective way to fix the error so that users can work on the same file at the same time.