Stuck in QuickBooks Requires That You Reboot Loop? Solved!

Some users get stuck in the QuickBooks requires that you reboot loop. Here’s an instance of what might happen:

You may come across a message in QuickBooks that says there’s an update available. When you run the update, the application shows this message:

“QuickBooks needs to reboot computer”

However, after restarting, when you attempt to update QuickBooks, you get the message. This is like a loop that users can’t seem to get out of.

In this guide, we will show you how to get out of the QuickBooks Update Reboot Loop error. If you have already tried out some basic troubleshooting, don’t worry, as we have multiple solutions you can put in place to address the situation.

Reasons for QuickBooks Update Reboot Loop Error

Here are some common reasons why you see QuickBooks requires you to reboot message every time you try to update:

• The operating system hasn’t been outdated for long
• The hard disk is corrupted or damaged
• The company file is lengthy
• QuickBooks Desktop is facing startup issues
• The QBWUSER.INI file is damaged or missing
• The company file folder or its path is damaged
• Lack of proper admin rights
• The QuickBooks Desktop installation is incomplete or damaged

This list is not exhaustive, and sometimes, there could be other reasons for the error.

Solutions To Try if Stuck in QuickBooks Requires That You Reboot Loop

It might require you to reboot the computer once. However, even if after doing so many times, you just continue to see the message, “QuickBooks Requires That You Reboot,” here are the solutions you should try.

1. Sign in As Admin and Install the Updates Manually

You might not be able to install the updates if you lack adequate permission to do so. 
Let us try to install QuickBooks update as an administrator.

To do so, first close all QuickBooks windows and then go to the desktop or start menu where the QB Desktop icon is.

• Right-click the QB icon and select Run as administrator. Sign in to QB with the admin profile and run the update.

If you stay stuck in QuickBooks requires that you reboot loop, move to the next solution.

2. Suppress QuickBooks to Fix QuickBooks Requires that You Reboot Loop Error

Suppressing QuickBooks Desktop might help resolve the issue. When you suppress it, QuickBooks will start afresh without having to deal with previously opened files, reports, statements, windows, etc.

• Press and hold the Ctrl key on the keyboard, right-click the QuickBooks Desktop icon on the desktop, and select Open.

NOTE: You must not release the Ctrl key until you get the No Company Open window, even if QuickBooks freezes or throws an error message.

• Select a company file from the drop-down menu in the No Company Open window to open it.

Check if the error is fixed after restarting QuickBooks. If you continue to receive the ‘QuickBooks requires that you reboot loop’ error message, move to the next solution.

3. Run QuickBooks Using a new Windows Admin User

QuickBooks requires admin rights to perform several operations, and adequate access to the admin account can trigger issues. With the instructions below, we will create a new Windows admin user and run QuickBooks afterward to check if this resolves the error.

• Go to the Windows Start menu, select Settings, choose Accounts, and move to the Family & Other Users section.
• Under the Other Users section, choose Add someone else to this PC. To create a local account, click I don’t have this person’s sign-in information and select Add a user without a Microsoft account on the next window.

• Enter the User Name, Password, Password Hint, and Security Questions, and hit Next.
• You can skip using a password by simply pressing Next.
• The account will now appear under the Other Users section, and you must make it an admin account.
• Go to the Windows Start menu, select Settings, choose Accounts, and move to the Family & Other Users section.
• Select the user account you just created under the Other Users section and select Change Account Type.
• Select Administrator in the drop-down menu and restart your system.

Login using the newly created admin account and run QuickBooks to check if this helps get rid of the ‘QuickBooks requires that you reboot loop’ error message.

4. Access the Company File from a Different Location

If the path to the company file or the folder where it is saved is damaged, you might get stuck in a loop when you run QuickBooks. To fix this, we will first move the company file to a different location and access it from there to check if this resolves the error.

• Press Windows + E to open the Windows File Explorer, go to the company file folder the path to which is usually: C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Intuit\QuickBooks\Company Files.

• Right-click the company file with .QBW extension, select Copy, go to the desktop screen, right-click, and select New -> Folder.
• Open the new folder created on the desktop, paste the company file in it, and launch QuickBooks Desktop.
• Retry opening the company file from the new folder and check if the error is resolved.

If you still receive the error message that says, ‘QuickBooks requires that you reboot loop,’ move to the next solution.

5. Run Quick Fix My Program

To run basic troubleshooting to fix the update issue, you will need QuickBooks Tool Hub. Therefore, first download and install it on your system.

• Close QuickBooks Desktop.
• Open QB Tool Hub and go to the Program Issues tab.

• Choose Quick Fix My Program.

Now, proceed to the next step.

6. Run QuickBooks Program Diagnostic Tool

Close any open window of QuickBooks Desktop and then carry out the steps below.

• Open QB Tool Hub and tap on the Program Issues tab.

• Choose QuickBooks Program Diagnostic Tool.

Allow the tool to run for a while, and when it is finished, restart QuickBooks Desktop and reattempt the update.

If you are stuck in QuickBooks requires that you reboot loop, repair the program from the Control Panel.

7. Repair QuickBooks Installation

Another reason why every time you try to update QuickBooks, it asks you to restart is due to damaged components or incomplete installation.

Fortunately, Intuit has a tool that can fix that easily.

• Open QuickBooks Tool Hub on your computer.
• Now, go to the tab for Installation Issues.

• Choose QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool.

It will take some time for the tool to finish repairing the installation issues. Once it is finished, you will need to restart the computer once for it to work.

Run QuickBooks Desktop and attempt the update. However, if you wind up in QuickBooks requires that you reboot loop, continue to the next solution.

8. Fix the .NET Framework Manually

If there is an issue with the .NET Framework, you will need to reinstall it. 

• Click on the search box beside the Start menu and type in the Control Panel.
• Go to Programs, and then click on Programs and Features.
• Choose Turn Windows features on or off.
• Locate the versions of the Microsoft .NET Framework that you have an issue with and uncheck the boxes for them.
• Click on OK.

Now, restart the computer and reinstall the Microsoft .NET Framework you uninstalled.

• Launch the Control Panel and click on Programs and Features.
• Choose Turn Windows features on or off.
• Mark the checkbox next to Microsoft .NET Framework (3.5.x or 4.x.x).
• Click on OK to allow the process to take place.

Finally, restart your computer and attempt to update the QuickBooks Desktop. If this doesn’t fix the issue, you can run the Microsoft .NET Framework Repair Tool.

9. Install Update in Selective Startup

Another program might be preventing QuickBooks Desktop from installing the software.

Selective startup mode only involves limited programs so that you can prevent interference from third-party applications.

Here is how you can open your computer in Selective Startup mode.

• Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run window.
• Type in msconfig and go to OK.
• Go to the General tab and select Selective Startup and Load System Services.
• In the Services section, click on Hide all Microsoft Services.

• Choose Disable All.
• Unmark the checkbox to Hide all Microsoft services.
• Ensure the box for Windows Installer is marked from the services you see.
• Tap on OK.
• Select Restart from the System Configuration window.

Now, install QuickBooks Desktop updates. Once done, here is how you can switch to Normal startup. 

• Press the Windows + R; this will open the Run window.
• Enter msconfig and choose OK.
• Go to the General tab and select Normal Startup.

• Choose OK.
• Now, select Restart from the System Configuration window.

• Choose OK.
• Now, select Restart from the System Configuration window.

10. Clean Install QuickBooks Desktop

If you continue to be stuck in QuickBooks requires that you reboot loop, it is advisable to start fresh.

Rather than simply reinstalling QuickBooks Desktop, we recommend you do a clean install. It involves uninstalling QuickBooks Desktop, removing the leftover files (except the company files and backups), and then installing QB again.

Conclusion

This was all on how to get out of QuickBooks requires that you reboot loop. Carry out these solutions in the order they are written.

However, if you face an error, reach out to a QB expert. They will help you resolve the issue with QuickBooks and resume your work right away.

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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