QuickBooks Cannot Open Company File? Explained with Solutions

When you attempt to open a company file in QuickBooks, an error notice stating that “QuickBooks can’t find company file” may appear. You will direct QuickBooks to the location if your company file has just been moved. To do this, use the “Find” option in the Start menu to locate your company file. The QuickBooks cannot open company file error is frequently encountered when QuickBooks malfunctions or the company file is corrupted. Now, it is essential to resolve this issue. Therefore, we have created this blog to help you understand the causes behind it and ways to resolve it. 

You may face technical inconveniences when resolving this issue. In such a case, seek assistance by speaking with one of our professionals. 

Potential Causes Behind Why You Cannot Open Company File in QuickBooks

This problem may affect any organization’s business operations, but it is readily resolved. The following is a list of common causes for QuickBooks company files not opening or for the “QuickBooks can’t find the company file” error.

• Damaged company file
• Corrupted hard drive storage
• Problems in finding the extension file
• Faulty *QBW.tlg.file 
• An outdated version of the QuickBooks software
• Issues with reports in your file
• Errors, such as 3371, H505, -6000 series errors, and unrecoverable errors

After understanding the causes behind QuickBooks cannot open company file, proceed to the next section to know how to resolve this issue. 

Important Steps to Take before You Start Troubleshooting

You must go through the pointers below to know the important steps you should take before implementing any troubleshooting method. 

• Ensure to update QuickBooks Desktop 
• Next, hit and hold the Ctrl key while double-tapping the QB Desktop icon

Note: Hold the Ctrl key up until you see the No Company Open window in QuickBooks

The following won’t help if the program doesn’t open when you hold down the Ctrl key; instead, see QuickBooks Desktop does not begin for solutions.

• Proceed down if the program opens
• Make sure your company file is hosted on a single device
• Disable hosting on every computer system, save the web server
• Choose Utilities from the QuickBooks File menu

Note: If you see anything other than Stop hosting multi-user access, hosting is now turned off on that system.

• Proceed below after verifying that hosting is turned off
• Verify that there is no damage to your QuickBooks Desktop program
• If an issue occurs when you open a sample company file, proceed to fix the QuickBooks desktop installation

Once done, follow the next section to resolve the QuickBooks cannot open company file issue by implementing the steps below.

10 DIY Troubleshooting Methods to Overcome the QuickBooks Cannot Open Company File Issue

The methods below you can take to troubleshoot QuickBooks cannot open company file issue are listed below:

Method 1: Rename TLG and ND Files

QuickBooks company file access problems may be fixed by renaming the .TLG and .ND files:

• Navigate to the folder that stores the company file
• The file with the .TLG extension can be right-clicked
• The company file and this file share the same name
• Change its name to OLD.qbw.TLG
• The.ND file should be renamed to OLD.qbw.ND
• Launch QuickBooks and open the company file. We’ll create new .TLG and .ND files

After doing so, check whether the issue is resolved or not. If the problem still persists, you must follow the next method.

Method 2: Check Your Company File Type

Before checking your company file type, you must ensure to update your QuickBooks Desktop. After making sure that, check whether the file you are trying to access is a company file (.QBW), because you can’t open the other files, such as backup files (.QBB) and portable files (.QBM). 

To complete the checking process, verify also that the file you are trying to open isn’t compressed or encrypted. For that, carry out the instructions below:

• Start by right-clicking the company file and selecting Properties
• After that, select Advanced
• Here, remove the check mark from Compress and Encrypt
• Lastly, click on OK

However, if you still cannot open the company file in QuickBooks, you must try the next troubleshooting method.

Method 3: Do Not Save Desktop While Closing Company File

When you exit your company file, QuickBooks automatically restores all the windows that were previously open. If a heavy report or multiple windows are set to open at launch, QuickBooks may become unresponsive during startup.

Implement the steps below to open the company file without saved windows: 

• Launch QuickBooks Desktop
• When the No Company Open window appears, choose your company file
• Hold down the ALT key and click Open. Keep holding ALT until the file loads. If you’re prompted to sign in, let go of ALT, enter your password, then press and hold ALT again and click OK

If the company file opens without issues, disable the Save the desktop when closing setting.

• Open the Edit menu and choose Preferences
• Click on Desktop View
• Choose Don’t save the desktop, then select OK
• Exit QuickBooks, launch it again, and open your company file

If this solves the problem, you’re good to go. You must follow the next solution. If you are facing any issues.

Method 4: Disable the Hosting Settings on Your Computer

You must turn off Host Multi-User Access on your workstations if your company files are hosted on a network. The file should only be hosted on the server desktop. For that, you must carry out the steps below:

• Start QuickBooks on one of your workstations
• Don’t open the company file. Instead, open the File menu and choose Utilities
• If Host Multi-User Access appears, leave it as is and continue to the next workstation because this system isn’t causing the issue
• If Stop Hosting Multi-User Access is shown, select it
• Follow the same steps on every workstation

Proceed to your server computer after inspecting your workstations. Your company files are often stored on this computer.

• Launch QuickBooks on your server computer
• Open the File menu, go to Utilities, and if Host Multi-User Access is listed, select it
• Toggle the multi-user option by turning it off and then back on
• Go to File > Utilities and choose Stop Hosting Multi-User Access
• Then return to File > Utilities and select Host Multi-User Access again

Once done, again try to open the company file to verify whether the problem is fixed. However, if QuickBooks cannot open company file, follow the next method.

Method 5: Try to Open a Sample Company File in QuickBooks

To determine whether QuickBooks or your company file is the problem, try opening a sample file. For that, perform the instructions below:

• Click the Windows Start menu
• Next, hit CTRL on your keyboard and choose QuickBooks. Don’t let go of CTRL until QuickBooks opens
• Choose Open a Sample file

In both cases, whether the issue still persists or you are able to easily open it, you must continue following the next method. 

Method 6: Move Your QuickBooks Company File

The location of your company file may be the problem. You can open your file by moving it to your desktop. Make sure that everyone is logged out before sharing your company file over a network. After that, carry out the instructions below.

• Open Start, type File Explorer in the search bar, and launch File Explorer
• Find the folder storing your company file, usually inside your QuickBooks folder. The file will appear as: [Your company name].qbw
• Right-click the company file and choose Copy
• Right-click on your desktop and select Paste
• Next, launch QuickBooks, navigate to the File menu, and choose Open or restore company
• Pick the company file you copied to your desktop and click Open

The file location is the problem if the company file opens from your desktop. Your company file will need to be moved to a new folder. You will have to share the new folder if you share your file over a network.

However, if you still cannot open company file in QuickBooks, you must follow the next method.

Method 7: Run Quick Fix My Program Tool

Program-related problems can cause an interruption when opening the company file. In that case, you must run the Quick Fix My Program. However, to run it, you must have the QuickBooks Tool Hub installed in your system. After ensuring that, follow the steps below to run this tool:

• Start by launching the QuickBooks Tool Hub
• Next, navigate to the Program Problems
• Now, select the Quick Fix my Program tool
• Finally, open the QB Desktop and open your data file

If this doesn’t work, you must follow the next method.

Method 8: Run QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool

You may encounter issues using QuickBooks if something went wrong during the installation process. To resolve typical installation problems, use the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool. To run it, perform the steps below:

• Open the QuickBooks Tool Hub and go to Installation Issues
• Select QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool and allow it to run. This process may take up to 20 minutes
• After it completes, restart your computer, launch QuickBooks Desktop, and open your data file

Once done, ensure that your QB software is updated to the latest release. Still, QuickBooks cannot open company file? You need to reinstall it by following the next method.

Method 9: Reinstall QuickBooks Desktop

There may be a problem with your computer if you have trouble uninstalling QuickBooks. For assistance, get in touch with Microsoft or an IT specialist. After that, implement the steps below to reinstall it:

• Start by opening the Windows Start menu, browsing for Control Panel, and then opening it
• Click Programs and Features or Uninstall a Program
• From the program list, select the QuickBooks Desktop version you want to uninstall
• Choose Uninstall/Change, then Remove, and click Next
• If this option isn’t available, sign out of Windows and sign back in using an admin account (or an account with admin rights)

After that, you need to install QuickBooks again. Now, check again whether the issue persists. However, if this doesn’t work, you need to follow the next solution.

Method 10: Manually Remove QuickBooks and Rename Installation Folder

Even after trying so many solutions, if the issue still persists, you need to manually remove QB software from your system and then rename the installation folder. For that, follow the steps below:

• Uninstall the QuickBooks application again
• Next, open the Windows Start menu, search for File Explorer, and open it
• Find the folder that stores your QuickBooks company files. This is usually your QuickBooks folder and is typically located in one of these paths:
  • C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
  • C:\Users\(current user)\AppData\Local\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
  • C:\Program Files\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
  • For 64-bit version: C:\Program Files (x86)\Intuit\QuickBooks (year)
• Right-click the folder and choose Rename
• Add “old” to the end of the folder name so QuickBooks won’t use it when you reinstall
• Install QuickBooks Desktop again

If any error interrupts you while renaming the installation folder, perform the steps below:

• Right-tap the Windows Taskbar and select Task Manager
• Open the Processes tab
• Now, tap on the Name column header to sort the processes
• Find and select these processes one by one, then choose End Process for each: QBDBMgrN.exe, QBDBMgr.exe, QBCFMonitorService.exe, and Qbw32.exe
• If a prompt appears saying, “WARNING: Terminating a process can cause undesired results…“, select Yes

After implementing the above-steps, check whether the issue is resolved. We hope that these resolutions will help you overcome the QuickBooks cannot open company file issue. 

QuickBooks Cannot Open Company File: A Quick Overview

This quick overview highlights the main causes of the issue along with the key troubleshooting methods. Use it as a simple reference to understand what’s going wrong and how to fix it quickly.

Conclusion

This was all about fixing the issue when QuickBooks cannot open the company file. In this blog, we have shared the main causes of this issue. Moreover, it has outlined the effective troubleshooting methods to overcome this issue. However, if you face any technical trouble in resolving this issue, you must seek professional help. For that, connect with our certified QB experts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Gabby Taylor

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