5 Hacks to Try When QuickBooks Not Seeing Mapped Drives

Do you find QuickBooks not seeing mapped drives on your workstations? Read this updated blog to learn why you aren’t able to access QB company files through mapped drives over your network. Moreover, explore the simplest solutions to fix this troublesome issue in no time. 

Mapping network drives allows you to access QB company files stored on the server (or host computer) from all the workstations connected to the network. However, sometimes, you might find that mapped drives remain unavailable in the QB Desktop window. 

The shared drive might be shown in the file explorer window on your computer. However, if you open QB Desktop and attempt to access the company file saved on the server, you aren’t able to find the shared network drive.

Let’s dive into this guide to learn why we experience this troublesome problem and what tactics we can adopt to fix it effectively and easily.

If you want immediate guidance when QuickBooks not seeing mapped drives, you can dial 1(800) 780-3064 to connect with an experienced QB professional.

QuickBooks Does Not See Mapped Drives – An Overview

When the mapped network drive doesn’t show up in QuickBooks, you cannot open any company file stored on the server. Even if you have enabled the multi-user mode correctly, you may still encounter this problem on any workstation connected to the network.

Generally, you will experience any of the following issues:

• You aren’t able to find the shared network drive on all systems connected to your network.
• The shared network drive remains visible on all workstations except one.
• You can discover the mapped network drive in the file explorer window but cannot find it through QuickBooks Desktop.

It becomes impossible to work in multi-user mode when QB can’t locate the mapped drives. Let’s learn about common reasons behind this issue before we go through the steps to fix it.

Why Can’t You See Mapped Drives in QB Desktop Application?

The following points will help you understand all the common factors that can prevent you from seeing mapped drives in QB Desktop:

• The Windows access permissions might be set inaccurately on your server system.
• Common network problems can prevent the sharing of company files across various systems.
• Malware attacks on important system files can cause problems when connecting to the server.
• Failed Windows updates can instigate this issue on any computer connected to your network.
• You may not mapped your network drives correctly. 

Now, let’s proceed to the following section to learn different tactics that can be used to resolve the QB shared mapped drives problem.

Is QuickBooks Not Seeing Mapped Drives? Try These Solutions

Before using any solution for the QB Desktop mapped drives issue, here are some key things to do on both the host computer and the workstation where you face the issue:

1. Download and install the latest QB Desktop updates.
2. Moreover, to ensure your computer has the latest component, install the Windows updates.

Once you have done that, continue to the troubleshooting methods given below.

Condition 1: When All Users Can Find the Mapped Drives Except a Particular User

If all users on your network can see the mapped drive except a particular user, it means that there are no problems in the mapping configuration. However, there may be issues with the particular user profile or the network connection on the user end.

To fix this issue, you should first create a new Windows user profile with administrator rights. After that, log in to the Windows with the new admin user account and run the following solutions:

1. Check whether the workstation is connected to the network

You should ping the server from the workstation using the following steps:

• Get the Run window on the screen by tapping the Windows + R keys, and after that, type CMD in the box.

• After that, click the OK button and type the ipconfig/all command in the Command Prompt window.
• Hit Enter and note the hostname (server name) displayed in the window.
• Now, type ping (server name) and hit the Enter key.
• If you receive a reply for each packet from the server address, it means the workstation is connected to the network. However, if you observe packet loss or a delayed reply, you should get your entire network checked by a professional.

You should try to find the mapped drives after verifying the network connection. If you are unsuccessful in discovering the mapped drives, create a fresh QB Desktop user account as described below.

2. Create a fresh QB Desktop user profile

• Access the QB Desktop window and select the Company menu.
• Click the Set Up Users and Password tab and choose the Set Up Users option.
• After that, you must click the Add User button and type all the required information, such as username and password.
• Click the Next option and you will see the access permissions for the new user profile. You need to select among the following options: No Access, Full Access, or Selective Access.
• After that, you can click the Finish button in the window. Now, find the mapped drives successfully. 

If you still can’t find the mapped drives, move to the next solution stated below.

3. Disable the Windows Firewall

Sometimes, the Windows Firewall can block the connection between the workstation and the server. As a result, you can’t find the mapped drives. You can disable the Windows Firewall, after which you can see the mapped drives in QuickBooks.

Condition 2. When You Can’t See Mapped Drives At Any Workstations

Are you not able to find mapped drives at any workstation connected to your network? The problem might stem from the server computer. Lets carry out the following steps on your server to fix that. Also, you need to ensure that QuickBooks is allowed through firewall.

4. Set Windows access permissions to share the company files

 You need to grant full Windows access permissions to all users on your network using the following steps: 

• Tap the Start button and type File Explorer in the search box.

• Click the File Explorer icon and find the folder that contains the company file.
• After that, right-click the icon of the company file folder and choose the Properties tab.
• Next, access the Sharing menu on the Properties window and click the Add option. 
• Select the QBDataServiceUserXX icon that corresponds to the year of your QB Desktop version. 
• Assign Full Control access permissions to all users and click the Share button. 

After that, tap the OK button and successfully access the company files through all workstations over the network.

5. Correctly remap the network drives

• Click the Start menu and type This PC in the search box.
• Right-click the This PC icon and choose the Map Network Drive tab.
• After that, choose the drive letter using the Drive option and utilize the Browse option to locate the company file folder.
• At this step, click the Reconnect at Sign-in button to ensure that the mapped drives remain available every time you access your server.
• Finally, tap the Finish button to complete the entire procedure. 

Now, you can reopen QB Desktop on any workstation and successfully find the mapped drives to connect to the company files located on the server.

Wrapping It Up 

In this detailed blog, we saw the reasons and the solutions to try when QuickBooks not seeing mapped drives on the system. Hopefully, you were able to connect to the company files through mapped drives in QB Desktop and resume accounting on your workstations.

However, if you are still experiencing any problems, or if you need more guidance, dial 1(800) 780-3064 to connect with a QuickBooks professional.

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Gabby Taylor

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