QuickBooks Desktop is an application that helps you manage your business’s accounting operations. But there are times when you might interfere with issues in your system. One such issue is “QuickBooks error the file exists.” This error may appear in your system when performing operations in QBDT, downloading payroll updates, paying scheduled liabilities, or opening a state or federal form. The following message can be seen on the screen when you face this error:
“The file you specified cannot be opened. Make sure that it is not being used by another program or a read-only file.“
The Windows error was “The File Exists”.
In this blog, we have covered the reasons and methods to help you fix the error in your system.
If you need help with the QB company file, feel free to contact our experts at +1(800) 780-3064 for a free consultation.
Major Reasons Behind the QuickBooks Desktop Windows Error The File Exists
There are several reasons, such as the file is in use by another application. Other reasons are listed below:
- If you are using an outdated version of QBDT.
- Lack of user permissions for the user account in Windows.
- If you do not have a stable and secure internet connection.
- When you are installing the QuickBooks application, you might encounter an error.
- If the Windows firewall or antivirus is blocking the QuickBooks operations.
Now, let’s move on to the solution you can try to help you resolve the error in your system.
Troubleshooting Methods to Fix the QuickBooks The File Exists Error
This section of the blog will provide step-by-step solutions to resolve the issue. We have outlined effective methods to ensure the error is fixed.
Method 1: Launch QuickBooks as an Administrator
- Click the Windows icon.
- Then look for QuickBooks in the search box.
- Now, right-click the QuickBooks logo.
- Then, click on Run as administrator.
Now, try to download and install the payroll updates and check if the error persists.
Method 2: Update the QuickBooks Desktop
- Head to the Start menu.
- Now, locate and right-click on the QuickBooks application.
- Select the Run as administrator option.
- If prompted, tap on Yes.
- Head to the Help menu.
- Select the Update QuickBooks option.
- Under the Get Updates tab, choose Reset Updates.
- Now, tap on Update QuickBooks now.
After updating the application, restart your application and check if the QuickBooks error the file exists is still seen.
Method 3: Modify the Windows Permissions
- Tap on the Windows icon.
- Then search for and access File Explorer.
- In the file explorer, look for the QuickBooks program file as per the location.
- 32-bit: C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
- 64-bit: C:\Program Files (x86)\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
- Now, right-click on the qbw.exe file.
- Choose the Properties option.
- Tap on the Security option and then Edit.
- Now, press the Add button.
- Choose Everyone and click on OK.
- Opt for the Full Control option and tap on Apply.
If granting the user permission hasn’t resolved the issue, you can also disable UAC and see if that resolves it.
Method 4: Disable the UAC from Windows Settings
- Press the Windows + R keys on the keyboard.
- In the Run dialog box, look for the Control Panel.
- Tap on OK.
- Now, search for the User Accounts option and access it.
- Move to the Change UAC Settings option.
- When you get the UAC prompt, tap on Yes to access it.
- Now move the slider to Never Notify and tap on OK to disable the UAC.
Try starting the .bat utility file and check if that is the reason behind the error.
Method 5: Launch the Reboot.bat File Utility
- Exit the QuickBooks application if running.
- Go to the Start menu.
- Locate the QuickBooks Desktop application.
- Right-click on the icon and choose Properties from the list.
- Tap on the open file location.
- Now, locate the reboot.bat file in the folder.
- Right-click on the file and choose the Run as Administrator option.
- Wait for the reboot.bat file to re-register the QB components on Windows.
Lastly, restart the system and check if the QuickBooks error the file exists still pops up.
Method 6: Clean Install QuickBooks Desktop
When the system is facing payroll update-related issues or an error that is blocking your operations in QuickBooks, then try to clean install the QuickBooks Desktop application. This will install the application from scratch and help you overcome the issues.
Method 7: Use QuickBooks Tool Hub
You can download and install the QuickBooks Tool Hub and then further move on to the methods to fix the issue in your system.
Use the QuickBooks File Doctor
- Launch the Tool Hub in your system.
- Then go to the Company File Issues tab.
- Click on the Run QuickBooks File Doctor.
- Choose the company file by tapping on the browse menu.
Use QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool
- Launch the QuickBooks Tool Hub.
- Then, go to the Installation Issues tab.
- Tap on the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool to run the tool.
- Let the tool run and fix the issue if it is related to the application installation.
The built-in tool will help you fix the QuickBooks error the file exists if it is related to the installation or damage in the company file.
Method 8: Fix the Windows Firewall
- Tap on the Start menu.
- Look for and access the Windows Firewall.
- Tap on the Advanced Settings.
- Now, right-click on the Inbound Rules options.
- Then, tap on the New Rule option.
- Choose Port and tap on Next.
- Ensure that the TCP is selected.
- Under the specific fields for local ports, input the specific ports needed for the QuickBooks year as follows:
- QuickBooks Desktop 2020 and later: 8019, XXXXX.
- QuickBooks Desktop 2019: 8019, XXXXX.
- QuickBooks Desktop 2018: 8019, 56728, 55378-55382.
- QuickBooks Desktop 2017: 8019, 56727, 55373-55377.
- Once the port number is entered, tap on Next.
- Choose Allow the Connection.
- Click on Next.
- When prompted, ensure you select all the profiles and then choose Next.
- Create a rule and give it a name such as QBPorts(year).
- Once done, tap on Finish.
The steps above will help you fix issues if they are related to the firewall or antivirus software.
Method 9: Remove the QBPRINT.qbp File
- Access the Run dialog box by pressing Windows + R on the keyboard.
- Look for and access the Control Panel.
- Choose the Devices and Printers option.
- Now, right-click Remove on any printer that does not show an error icon.
- Exit the QBDT application.
- Access the Task Manager or press Ctrl+Shift+Esc keys on the keyboard.
- Head to the Processes tab.
- Scroll and find the QBW32.exe file.
- Right-click on the file and choose the End Process option.
- Tap on the Yes message when the pop-up appears on the screen.
- When you are using QuickBooks Premier, head to C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks. Whereas, for QuickBooks Enterprise, go to C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Intuit\(QuickBooks_version)\TSPrinterSettings\.
- In the last look for and delete the QBPRINT.qbp file from the folder.
Access the QBDT application and check if the QuickBooks error the file still exists occurs.
Quick View Table for “QuickBooks Error The File Exists”
Let’s have a glance at what we have so far talked about the error in this blog.
| Description | If you are unable to perform any operations in QuickBooks or update the payroll tax table, you may be encountering the “QuickBooks error the file exists.” |
| Causes | Possible reasons for the error include an outdated version of QBDT, insufficient user permissions, or an unstable and insecure internet connection. When installing the QuickBooks application, you might encounter an error if the Windows firewall or antivirus software is blocking operations. |
| Ways to Fix | To fix the issue, you can run the QBDT as an admin, update the QuickBooks application, modify the Windows permissions, turn off the UAC from Windows settings, run the reboot.bat utility file, clean install the QBDT application, use the QuickBooks Tool Hub, fix the antivirus or Windows firewall settings, or delete the QBPRINT.qbp file. |
Conclusion
In this blog, we have talked about the QuickBooks error the file exists issue. We have gone through all the reasons for this error and thus developed an understanding of why you are unable to perform specific operations in the QBDT application. Furthermore, we have included solutions to help you resolve the issue. If you need any further help with company file issues, feel free to contact our experts at +1(800) 780-3064.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to fix a corrupted QuickBooks File?
a. Create a backup for the company file.
b. Use the QuickBooks File Doctor.
c. Restore the backup version of the file.
Why am I facing the file exists error in the QuickBooks Desktop application?
a. When you are using an outdated version of the application.
b. If the User Account Control settings are enabled.
c. If the Windows firewall is blocking QB operations.
d. When the files or the application are corrupted or damaged.
e. The internet connection is unstable or insecure.
What are the things I might face when facing the QuickBooks file exists error?
a. When you are updating the payroll and the tax table.
b. While trying to access the company file.
c. The QBDT application freezes or crashes constantly.
d. Unable to make changes to the company file.
Gabby Taylor, combines financial expertise with literary prowess. With over a decade in finance, she crafts insightful narratives on navigating fiscal complexities