QuickBooks Connection Has Been Lost: Learn to Overcome It

QuickBooks software consistently works to keep up with user needs and ensures a smooth experience when handling complex business data. To prevent any malfunction, QuickBooks requires regular updates. It’s important to understand that updating the software is different from upgrading it. Updating refers to shifting the software to its latest release. Updating the older version to the latest one involves configuring the Network share, user system, and Server OS. 

This entire upgrade procedure needs a separate, detailed process. Sometimes, users encounter the QuickBooks connection that has been lost during the upgrade. In this troubleshooting guide, we will learn the ways that can help you resolve this problem quickly.

You may face technical inconveniences when trying to resolve the QuickBooks lost connection problem. To get rid of it, you can take our expert team’s assistance. 

Possible Causes Behind QuickBooks Connection Issue

Before trying any troubleshooting method to eliminate QuickBooks connection has been lost issue, you must understand the reasons behind it. Therefore, we have listed the top causes for this problem below:

• This issue occurs when the company file is stored on another computer or a portable drive, causing the connection to that storage device to break
• The power management settings in Windows may have put the system containing your company file into sleep or hibernation mode
• The problem can also arise if multiple systems on the network are set to host the QuickBooks company file
• Different QuickBooks versions being used in a multi-user setup can trigger the error
• The company file may contain damaged or corrupted data

Once done, understanding the reasons behind this issue, next, you must follow the section below to learn how to identify it.

What You May Experience While Facing QuickBooks Connection Issues

The following factors will help you identify when the QuickBooks connection to the company file has been lost:

• This error may occur if QuickBooks displays it during startup or frequently shuts down due to an unrecoverable QuickBooks error
• Your system may shut down at consistent intervals without showing any error message
• The software may unexpectedly close on Windows 8
• QuickBooks may stop responding, triggering an on-screen error message.
• Your system may crash repeatedly at regular intervals

After reviewing these inconveniences, follow the next section to know how to resolve QuickBooks connection has been lost issue.

Things to Ensure Before Implementing Any Troubleshooting Methods

Below are a few quick points you should review before troubleshooting the QuickBooks abort or connection lost issue:

• Locate the company file in another folder or location
• Restart the Database Server Manager once
• Change the power-saving setting to “Never”

If you are using a single computer:

• The folder containing your company file may need additional permissions
• Third-party applications, such as antivirus software, could be disrupting the QuickBooks program
• Your QuickBooks company file may be corrupted or damaged

After ensuring these pointers, you must move to the next section to resolve this issue.

Troubleshooting Methods for QuickBooks Network Connection Loss Issue

Below, we have outlined the methods to resolve QuickBooks connection has been lost issue.

Method 1: Restart Your Computer

You can restart your computer and resolve many technical problems, including QuickBooks connection lost issues. For that, follow the instructions below:

• Start by accessing the Windows Start menu
• Next, tap on the Power button
• Choose the Restart option

After restarting your system, check whether the issue is resolved. However, if the problem still persists, follow the next method.

Method 2: Run Quick Fix My Program from the Tool Hun

To run Quick Fix my Program, you must have QuickBooks Tool Hub installed in your system. After ensuring that, perform the instructions below:

• Launch the latest version (1.4.0.0) of QuickBooks Tool Hub and choose the Programs Problems option
• Next, click on the Quick Fix my Program tab. The process may take longer if your system has multiple versions of QuickBooks installed

After QuickFix My Program completes, open QuickBooks and verify whether the issue is gone. However, if the problem still persists, follow the next method.

Method 3: Run QuickBooks File Doctor Using the QuickBooks Tool Hub

You should keep your company file on a local drive. Working directly from a portable device such as a flash drive is not recommended. Follow the steps below:

Check Your Portable Drive

• Make sure the portable drive is still properly connected
• Disconnect the drive and reconnect it once
• Search for your QuickBooks company file on the removable drive through My Computer
• Save another file to the drive to confirm that it is functioning correctly
• Ensure the drive has sufficient free space, at least equal to the size of your company file

If your computer is connected to a network and the file is stored on another system

• Your network connection may be unstable
• The folder containing your company file may need additional permissions
• Firewall settings might be preventing network access
• Power-saving mode must be disabled

Your network may fail in multiple ways

• Your system may have encountered a Windows error or a similar issue
• The server or host computer may be experiencing the same problem
• Your computer could have connectivity issues (cables, router, protocols, etc.)

Ensure to carry out the instructions in the same order above. 

Troubleshooting Methods for QuickBooks Connection Has Been Lost

This section outlines the methods required to fix QuickBooks connection errors. We advise you to follow these methods in the given order to avoid any further inconveniences.

Method 1: Verify and Rebuild Company File Data

If a pop-up appears stating “No problem detected in your Company File,” it indicates your company file is in good condition. If the issue continues, you must verify your company data file and rebuild it if required. Follow the steps below:

• Open the File menu
• Select Utilities and then click Verify Data
• Allow the tool to identify if any data issues exist
• Choose Expand All to view the complete list of errors on the Verify Results screen

If the tool detects data damage:

• Repair the file. The tool will confirm whether the file has been successfully fixed
• Restore the most recent backup of your company file
• Try recovering missing data using QuickBooks Auto Data Recovery

Once done, check whether the issue is resolved. However, if the problem still persists, you must try the next method.

Method 2: Restart Your Workstations

Before applying this method, make sure no other user is connected to the network.

• Start by restarting your system
• Next, restart your workstations

Restarting the systems may help fix the issue. If the error persists, continue to method 3 below.

Method 3: Check Your Network Settings 

To check the network settings, carry out the instructions below:

• To verify that you have the necessary access, try opening or saving another file on the server
• Next, create or delete a Microsoft Excel or WordPad file on that system
• If you cannot perform these actions on a non-QuickBooks file, configure Windows access permissions required for QuickBooks

After implementing the above steps, you must check whether the issue is resolved. However, if you are still facing the same problem, follow the next method.

Method 4: Turn Off Power Management Settings on Server

Before starting, open the power management settings in the Windows Control Panel on the system where your company file is stored:

• First, click the Windows icon
• Then type Power Options and choose the correct option from the list
• After that, disable sleep, standby, and hibernation modes on the host computer

After carrying out the instructions above, verify whether the issue is resolved. However, if the issue still persists, try the next method.

Method 5: Fix Hosting on All Workstations

To fix complete hosting settings in all workstations, perform the instructions outlined below:

Host Computer Task

Ensure that the QB Database Server Manager is installed on the host computer. Press Windows + R, type QuickBooks in the Run box, and check the list. If QuickBooks or QuickBooks Database Server Manager does not appear, it means the program is not installed. In that case, install, update, and set up the QuickBooks Database Server Manager.

1. Reset Hosting Settings 

• If you have installed the QuickBooks application on the host computer:
  • First, open QuickBooks
  • Then choose File > Utilities
  • If Stop Hosting Multi-User Access shows up, hosting is already active, and you can continue to the next step
  • If Host Multi-User Access appears, select it to turn on hosting on this system

• If you haven’t installed the QuickBooks application on the host computer:
  • Double-click the QuickBooks Database Server Manager icon
  • Then open the Database Server tab
  • Ensure your company file is listed
  • If it isn’t, click Scan Folder > Help to add the company file
  • Finally, close the QuickBooks Database Server Manager window

2. Remove and Re-create the .ND File

Before starting, scan the folder where your company file is stored so QuickBooks can generate the Network Descriptor (ND) file. This file contains information about the host computer.

• Start by pressing the Windows button and typing QuickBooks Database Server Manager
• Select QuickBooks Database Server Manager > Add Folder
• Select the folder where your company files are stored
• Click Scan after all folders are added
• Go to the company file folders and confirm the .band file is created for each data file

Note: If QuickBooks Database Server Manager does not appear in Programs, uninstall QuickBooks and reinstall it using the second option:

“I’ll be using QuickBooks on this computer AND storing our company file here so it can be shared over the network.”

Workstation Tasks

• Confirm that hosting is disabled
• First, open QuickBooks
• Then select File > Utilities
• If Stop Hosting Multi-User Access appears, choose it to turn hosting off and proceed
• If the workstation already displays Stop Hosting Multi-User Access, click it to disable hosting
• If Host Multi-User Access is visible, hosting is already disabled, and nothing needs to be changed

Open the Company File Utilizing a UNC Path

UNC (Uniform Naming Convention) is the Windows format for locating network resources.

Example: \Computer Name\Shared Folder

Here, Computer Name refers to the server hosting your QuickBooks company file. Implement the steps listed below for opening the company file using the UNC path:

• First, open QuickBooks
• Then choose File > Open or Restore Company
• Select Open a company file, then click Next
• Choose My Network Places in the left pane
• Double-click Entire Network and go to the server folder where your company file is stored
• Select the company file and click Open

After that, check whether the issue is resolved. However, if the issue is still appearing, follow the next method. 

Method 6: Restart Database Server Manager

If you can’t open the Database Server Manager or encounter an error, you should try restarting it on the host computer. Follow the steps below to restart it:

If You Installed QB Desktop and the Database Server Manager:

• Access the QB application on the server computer, go to Files, and then select Open or Restore Company
• Select Open a company file. Then, locate and open your company file and click Next
• Mark the Open file in multi-user mode checkbox, then choose the Open option
• Now, sign in to the company file
• Go back to the File menu and select Close Company/Log off to close the company file on the network server
• Next, click the Windows Start button, type Database in the search bar, and then open the Database Server Manager

If You Only Installed the QB Database Server Manager on the Server System:

• Head to the Windows Start menu, type Control Panel, and open it
• Select Administrative Tools and open it
• Choose the Services option from the list
• Right-click the QuickBooksDBXX service and select Restart

Note: XX represents the year of the Database Server Manager. For example, the 2021 version of Database Server Manager is QuickBooksDB31.

If the Database Server Manager still doesn’t restart, consider rebooting the server computer. After restarting, try performing the steps mentioned above again.

A Quick View of the QuickBooks Connection Has Been Lost Issue

Go through the table below to see the condensed version of the information contained in this blog at a glance.

Conclusion 

This was all about the QuickBooks connection has been lost issue. In this blog, we have covered the most potential reasons that can cause it. The troubleshooting methods in this guide should help you fix the QuickBooks connection has been lost error by correcting hosting settings, network access, and Database Server Manager issues. However, if the problem still persists after trying all methods, you should consider professional help from our 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