QuickBooks Not Connecting to Server? Here’s What You Must Do

When opening a company file or sending emails, sometimes, you might find QuickBooks not connecting to server. You can see any of the following error messages on the screen:

Whenever these error messages occur, you can notice the following distinct indications:

• Your system won’t be able to share company files.
• The computer will hang repeatedly, disrupting your entire workflow.
• Your system might not respond to your commands.
• It is likely that system peripherals don’t work even when you issue proper commands.

The good thing is that this problem can be seamlessly resolved using different methods. Let’s explore this guide to know in detail all the reasons behind this issue and discover comprehensive resolutions for it.

If you find QB Desktop not connecting to server, you can dial +1(800) 780-3064 to obtain immediate guidance from an experienced QB professional.

Why Won’t QuickBooks Desktop Connect to the Server?

Here are the relevant reasons behind QuickBooks not connecting to server:

• You might be running an outdated QB Desktop version, and thus, it might have become incompatible with Windows.
• Security apps, such as the antivirus software and the Windows Firewall, might be restricting QB from communicating with the server.
• An imprecise multi-user hosting configuration on different systems can trigger various error messages when you try to access the data file.
• Damaged configuration files (Network Data file and Transaction Log file) can stop you from running QB in multi-user mode for various tasks. 
• Faulty email preferences can effectively block you from connecting to the server when sending various emails.
• A damaged QB Desktop program will create internal issues when accessing data files or sending emails in a multi-user configuration. 
• Corrupted company data can provoke different error messages on your workstation when you are working on different tasks. 
• Faults in the QB Database Server Manager can trigger different errors when opening data files in multi-user mode.
• An improper installation of QuickBooks can hinder connection to the server from workstations on your network. 

Now that you know about the different causes behind this issue, let’s navigate to the following section to learn how to troubleshoot it.

12 Top Fixes to Use If QuickBooks Not Connecting to Server

Here are various troubleshooting methods that you can implement whenever you find QuickBooks not connecting to server. These methods are categorized according to various error messages that you might see on the screen. Ensure that you use all the solutions described below in the correct order.

Section A: How to Fix “Error: Could Not Connect to the Email Server” & “QuickBooks Cannot Connect to the Remote Server”

You can receive these error messages when you attempt to connect to the server for sending emails. The following tactics will help you eliminate this error effectively & reliably.

Install QuickBooks Application Updates

An outdated QB Desktop application becomes incompatible with the Windows version installed on your computer. As a result, you might be unable to connect to the server for sending various emails. Once you have installed the latest QuickBooks updates, you can seamlessly connect to the server & send different emails to your clients.

If you still find QuickBooks not connecting to server, try the following troubleshooting hack.

Review the Webmail Preferences Settings When You Find QuickBooks Not Connecting to Server

An incorrect server name and port number in Webmail preferences settings will obstruct you from connecting to the server when sending emails. You need to check the Webmail preferences settings and ensure that everything is perfect. Here’s how to do so:

• Access QB Desktop and navigate to Preferences via the Edit tab.
• Click Send Forms and select the email account using the My Preferences option.

• Tap Edit, and after that, move to the Edit Email Info window.
• In the SMTP Server Details section, you have to check the server name and the port number. You should correct these details if required.
• Finally, tap Save and send your forms and invoices to various clients & business partners. 

If you still notice QuickBooks not connecting to server, try utilizing Windows with admin rights as discussed below.

Run Windows With Admin Privileges

You can face multiple problems when sending QB emails to clients if you are running Windows without admin rights. This is because the QB application is unable to fully utilize all the components and tools during the email-sending process. To resolve this glitch, you should create a new Windows admin user account on your computer.

Once you start using Windows with complete admin privileges, you can seamlessly connect to the server & send emails. If, however, you still find QuickBooks not connecting to server, consider using the following resolution.

Reconfigure the Admin Privilege Settings in QuickBooks

You can encounter errors when connecting to the server if you have set QB to automatically run with full admin rights. To revise the admin privilege settings in QB Desktop, you can do the following:

• Firstly, right-click the QuickBooks icon on Windows Desktop and select Open File Location.
• In the QuickBooks folder, you should right-click the QuickBooks.exe file. 
• Choose Properties, and after that, go to the Compatibility tab.
• Clear the Run this program as Administrator checkbox and tap Apply.
• Click OK, and after that, you can effortlessly send emails to different clients. 

Do you still notice QuickBooks not connecting to server? If that’s the case, consider repairing the MAPI32.dll file as elaborated below.

Repair the MAPI32.dll File On Your System

The MAPI32.dll file acts as the interface between QB Desktop and your email client (Outlook). Problems within this file can hinder you from connecting to the server when emailing your clients. You need to repair this file to ensure that you can send emails to your clients without facing severe issues. Here’s what you can do:

• First & foremost, tap Windows + E to launch the File Explorer window on your computer.
• Search for the System32 folder by typing C:\Windows\System32 in the search bar.

• Identify the Fixmapi.exe file and open it. After that, follow each instruction that shows up on the screen to repair the file.
• Once the repair finishes, exit the File Explorer window and reboot your system.
• Finally, open QuickBooks and seamlessly send different emails to clients.

If you find that QuickBooks cannot connect to the server even now, consider reorganizing the antivirus software settings as mentioned below.

Exempt QuickBooks Programs in Your Antivirus App

The restrictive settings of your antivirus software might prevent QuickBooks from connecting to the server, and thus, you might fail when sending your emails. To resolve this problem, you should exclude QB programs from antivirus software. Once you do so, you will be able to effortlessly send emails to your clients. 

Sometimes, you might receive an error message stating that QuickBooks is not able to communicate with the company file. Let’s proceed to the following section to discover how to eliminate that error message using various methods.

Section B: How to Resolve the “QuickBooks Cannot Communicate With the Company File” Error

You can encounter this error when trying to open company files stored on the server using the multi-user mode facility. The common factors behind this error are the faulty hosting configuration, restrictive settings of security apps, and the improper access permissions of the company file folder. To help you fix this error, we have compiled a separate guide titled QuickBooks cannot communicate with the company file. 

Besides this issue, you can encounter another error message indicating problems with the multi-user hosting setup when opening company files. In the next section, you will  understand how to resolve such an error message.

Section C:  Fixing Problems With the Multi-User Hosting Setup in QuickBooks

When you attempt to open company files saved on the server, sometimes, you might face an error stating ‘Problem With Multi-User Hosting Setup’. Generally, this error message indicates that you haven’t correctly configured multi-user hosting on different systems connected to the network. You can check out our exhaustive guide titled QuickBooks multi-user mode not working to discover how to fix this problem.

Sometimes, you might also find QuickBooks POS failing to connect to the server when you attempt to perform data exchange. Let’s jump to the following section to discover how to troubleshoot such an issue.

Section D: Resolving the “QuickBooks POS unable to connect to the server” Error

Whenever you are unable to connect to the server while running QuickBooks POS, you can implement the resolutions discussed below.

Repair the Entitlement Client Folder

The Entitlement Client folder stores the license & product info related to QuickBooks POS. Any damage in this folder might cause problems when connecting to the server. To repair this folder, you have to re-register QB Desktop POS. Here’s how to do so:

• Open the File Explorer window by tapping Windows + E and go to the following location: C:\Program Data\Intuit\Entitlement Client\v8
• Press the Ctrl +A keys to select all files in the Entitlement Client folder and hit Delete.
• Click Yes to confirm the deletion of all the selected files.
• Reopen QB Desktop POS and re-register the application on your computer.

Do you still find QuickBooks not connecting to server? If so, try renaming the WSActivity folder, as explained below.

Rename the WSActivity Folder On Your Computer

The WSActivity folder plays a crucial role in managing the connection between workstations & the server. Damage in this folder will effectively hinder QB Desktop POS from connecting to the server. When you rename this folder, QB POS recreates it, and thus, you are able to connect to the server. Here’s what you must do:

• Click Windows + E and go to the File Explorer window to reach the following location: C:\Program Data\Intuit\ QuickBooks Point of Sale XX\Ini
• Identify the WSActivity folder and right-click it. After that, select the Rename option.
• At this point, modify the folder’s name as per the following example: WSActivityoldtech
• Hit Enter and reopen QuickBooks POS to connect to the server. 

If you still notice QuickBooks POS not connecting to the server, consider using the next troubleshooting hack.

Reconfigure Windows Firewall For QuickBooks POS

Windows Firewall can hinder QB Desktop POS from connecting to the server. This is because it might perceive QB POS as a security threat to your computer. By creating exemptions for QB POS in Windows Firewall, you can resolve this problem. Here’s how to do so:

• Open the Start menu, click the Control Panel, and go to the Control Panel window.
• Select Windows Firewall and jump to the Advanced Settings tab.
• Choose Inbound and click New Rule. After that, tap Port and click Next.
• Type the port numbers and click Allow the Connection.
• Tap Next and type a fresh name for the rule (E.g. POS New Rule).
• Click Finish and repeat all these steps for the Outbound Rule.
• Finally, you can access QuickBooks POS to connect to the server.

Sometimes, when trying to open company files stored on the server, you might get an error stating that the connection to the company file has been lost. To know how to fix such an error, navigate to the following section. 

Section E: Eliminating the “QuickBooks Connection Has Been Lost” Error Message

If you encounter the ‘QuickBooks connection has been lost’ error, you can implement the solutions stated below.

Run QuickBooks File Doctor On the Server

 The QuickBooks File Doctor utility can help you resolve company file damage on the server. When you run this utility, various network-related issues will also be fixed. You will be able to easily connect to the server to access different data files.

If, however, you still find QuickBooks not connecting to server, try disabling the power management settings on your system as mentioned below. 

Turn Off the Power Management Settings On Your Computer

By disabling the power management settings on your system, you can ensure a seamless connection to the server. When you turn off the power management settings, your power consumption will temporarily increase. At the same time, there will be a more secure connection to the server, helping you open company files. 

If, however, you still notice QuickBooks not connecting to server, try checking the hosting settings on various systems as explained below. 

Ensure Valid Hosting Configuration On Different Systems

Having a precise multi-user hosting setup on various computers is crucial to ensure that you have seamless access to various company files. Here’s how you can set up accurate multi-user hosting on various systems:

• Firstly, open QB on any workstation and go to File.
• Choose Utilities and mark the Stop Hosting Multi-User Access option. Repeat the same process on each workstation on your network. 

• After that, go to Server and open QB to select File.
• Mark the Host Multi-User Access option to ensure that the server acts as a host on your network.

Finally, you can seamlessly open company files stored on the server from different workstations.

Winding Up

In this detailed guide, we have discussed various resolutions that you can implement whenever you find QuickBooks not connecting to server. Hopefully, you can now effortlessly connect to the server to access various company files. If, however, you still face different problems or have a query, you can connect with a QB professional for real-time assistance.

Common Queries On QB Desktop Connection to the Server

Gabby Taylor

Gabby Taylor, combines financial expertise with literary prowess. With over a decade in finance, she crafts insightful narratives on navigating fiscal complexities