Here is how you can fix connection to QuickBooks company file is lost issue:
Do you came across with an annoying pop up message stating as “The connection to the company file has been lost. QuickBooks must close immediately. Any unsaved data will need to be re-entered” and don’t know how to deal with it? Well, there can be numerous underlying reasons causing connection issues. These errors can often appear abruptly and hinder the entire process of working with the company file. A difficulty in accessing the company file might lead to such kind of error. Also, in case the system turns to sleep mode, then you can end up in this error or if the internal network card of a system is set to go into sleep mode after a specified period of time, then it might lead to the lost connection issue. In this post, we are going to discuss in detail the causes and quick fixes of this annoying error.
At the time when you are trying to access the company file, you may see the following error message on your screen:
| Error | Description |
|---|---|
| Connection Has Been Lost | The connection to the company file has been lost. QuickBooks must close immediately. Any unsaved data will need to be re-entered. |
So, make sure that you keep reading this post till the end. Or if you are in search of a QB expert or a team who can assist you in the process of getting rid of this error, then here we are. Give us a call at 1-800-761-1787 and our QuickBooks enterprise support team will be there at your rescue.
You may also read: Troubleshooting steps for QuickBooks error 1935
Brief about Error message: Connection Has Been Lost in QuickBooks
The error name itself indicates what this error is about. It is basically an error that appears when the software loses the connection to the company file. This might end up in the forceful closure of the program immediately. Moreover, if the data is unsaved, then it might not be recovered, and you might have to re-enter it. This indicates that the software won’t be able to access the company file or a particular section of the company file. Connection to QuickBooks company file is lost issue is similar to Abort error, where the software is unable to change or proceed to the company file in the midst of the process. This can also damage the QBWUSER.INI file. There can be various factors causing this issue, which will be discussed later in this article. So, make sure to read further!
What Causes Error: Connection Has Been Lost in QuickBooks?
You may face Error message: Connection Has Been Lost in the following situations:
- This error can be caused if the company file is stored on another system or on a portable drive and the connection to the storage device is disrupted.
- Another factor causing the issue can be if the power management settings in Windows activated the sleep or hibernation mode on the system having the company file.
- You can also face this issue if more than one system on a network is configured to host the QuickBooks company file.
- In case the systems in a multi-user installation are running different versions of QuickBooks.
- If the data in the company file gets damaged somehow.
If you use a standalone system
There can be a couple of factors causing this issue, out of which we have enlisted some of the common ones below:
- Any antivirus blocking the QuickBooks desktop
- If the QuickBooks company file got corrupted
- You might also face certain issue if the folder where the company file is saved requires some additional permission.
Signs and Symptoms of connection lost problem in QuickBooks desktop
In order to identify the error, the below signs and symptoms would work:
- In case the QuickBooks software shows the error while opening or is shutting down often with unrecoverable QuickBooks error, then this error is probable to happen.
- If the system is being shut down frequently without receiving any error message.
- Or you witness the software getting terminated from Windows 8.
- If the software suddenly stops working and an error message pops up on the screen.
- Another sign can be if the system is randomly crashing.
Quick steps to perform before the troubleshooting
Before you jump on to the detailed procedures to get rid of the QuickBooks desktop connection lost issue, here we have a few quick tips that could help you to get rid of the error with ease:
- You can restart the database server manager
- Moving the file to a different folder
- Setting the Power Saving option to never
In case you are making use of just one computer, then you can carry out the below steps:
- The folder where the company file is stored might require additional permission.
- Any 3rd party software like antivirus might contradict QuickBooks accounting software.
- In case the QuickBooks company file itself is corrupt.
Read Also: Fix error 401 in QuickBooks Desktop
Methods to Fix the Connection has been Lost Error in QuickBooks
You can try a few methods to fix the QuickBooks connection has been lost error. For best results, you should follow the order in which the solutions are presented. Let’s take a closer look at each method:
Method 1: Restarting your system and QuickBooks Desktop
Many times, a mere reboot can work in resolving the issue. So, before implementing huge and tedious solutions, we would recommend you start by restarting the software and check if the error is rectified with this simple process.
Method 2: Running the Quick Fix My Program and File Doctor Tool from the QuickBooks Tool Hub
The QuickBooks tool hub is a great tool for fixing various QuickBooks related errors. In order to make use of this tool, you will have to turn off the QB software. The steps involved in this process are as follows:
Step 1: Downloading and installing QuickBooks tools hub
- First of all, close QuickBooks.
- And then download the QuickBooks tool hub program (most recent version (1.6.0.3). It is supposed to save the file where it can be accessed without any issue.
- Next, open the file downloaded (QuickBooksToolHub.exe) in the above step.
- And then carry out the on-screen prompts and complete the installation process. Also, make sure to agree to the terms and conditions.
- After the installation finishes, ensure to double-click the icon on the Windows desktop to open the tool hub.
In case you are unable to spot the icon, browsing for the same can be a quick fix to it.
Step 2: Start the Quick Fix My Program from the Tools hub program
- Initially, you need to open the tool hub program and navigate to the Program Problems tab.
- Now choose Quick Fix my Program opt. It will take 1 minute approx to fix the program and issue.
Step 3: Run QuickBooks file doctor from QuickBooks Tools hub
Now that you have downloaded the QB tool hub, you can easily access the QuickBooks file doctor tool:
- You need to run the QuickBooks file doctor tool from the tool hub program.
- And then view the results.
- In case no issue is spotted, then the file is OK. If the error persists, then verify the company data file and rebuild it, if required.
- In case the tool is successful in spotting the issue, then in that case:
- You will have to repair the file, and the tool will prompt you when it will be fixed.
- And restore the recent back up of the company file.
- Also, recover the lost data with QuickBooks auto data recovery.
For the ones whose company file is stored on a portable drive, the below steps are applicable:
The company file should be stored on the local drive, and working on the company file till the time it is sitting on a portable drive, such as a flash drive, is not recommended. You can proceed with the steps knowing the risk:
Checking the portable drive
- It is supposed to ensure that the portable drive is connected. Or you can make an attempt to:
- Disconnect and reconnect it
- Spotting the QuickBooks company file on the removable drive from My computer
- Or saving other files to the drive to ensure that it continues to work
- You are also required to ensure that the drive has plenty of available space. The drive should have at least the space equals to the size of the company file.
In case the system is connected to a network and the data file stored on another system:
- The network connection might be unstable
- Folder where the file is saved might need additional permission.
- Firewall is preventing access to the network
- Power saving mode is turned on
The network can be broken in several ways:
- You might have seen a Windows error or similar problem on the system
- The server or the host might have a similar issue
- Or there might some issue in the connection of the systems
Method 3: Checking the network
Kindly note that the wireless networking is not supported by QuickBooks and is not reliable for information like the company file:
- Open or save another file on the server to ensure that have the necessary access.
- Create and delete Microsoft excel or WordPad file on that system.
- In case you are unable to create and delete a non-QuickBooks file in that folder. You need to set up Windows access permissions required for QuickBooks.
Another point that you should note is that if the network isn’t working or if you are uncomfortable carrying out the steps, then consulting a professional is recommended.
Method 4: Disabling the power management settings on the server
Another method to fix QuickBooks Error Message: Connection Has Been Lost is to disable the power management settings on the server. The steps involved in this process are as follows:
- On the system where the company file is stored, open the power management settings in the Windows control panel.
- Press the Windows key.
- And then type power options, and then select the Power options from the results.
- You need to turn off all sleep, standby, and hibernation modes on the host system. Also, you may refer to Windows help and support for any further information about power options.
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Method 5: Fixing the hosting on all systems
Hosting system tasks:
- Ensure that the QuickBooks database server manager is installed on the host system.
- Press Windows key and type QuickBooks. In case the QuickBooks or database server manager doesn’t appear in the list, it means the program is not installed. You need to install, update and set up the QuickBooks database server manager.
- Setting hosting settings.
In case the QuickBooks is installed on the host system, the steps below should be followed:
- At first open your QuickBooks.
- And then select file and utilities option.
- In case you finds the stop hosting multi-user access in the menu, then hosting is enabled, and you can proceed to the next step.
- In case the host multi-user access is seen, then select it to enable hosting on this system and then move to the steps ahead.
If QuickBooks is installed on the host system:
- For this, double click the QuickBooks database server manager icon in the Windows system tray. (You need to select Start > all programs > QuickBooks > QuickBooks database server manager)
- After that, hit a click on database server tab.
- Also, you need to verify that the company file is visible in the window below currently connected company files and logged in users. In case it is not, then you need to click the scan folders tab and then click on help for the information about adding the company file.
- Lastly, close the database server manager window.
Method 6: Removing and re-creating the .nd file
You need to scan the folder where the company file is situated to create the network descriptor file. The .nd file stores information about the system that is hosting the file. The steps involved in this process are as follows:
- Firstly, press Windows key and then type QuickBooks database server manager.
- And then choose the QuickBooks database server manager and then hit a click on the add folder option and spot the folders storing the company files.
- Next step is to click on scan after the folders are added.
- Now the data files appear under QuickBooks company file and then hit close.
- To end the process, browse to the folders containing the company files and make sure that the file band was created for each company data file.
The point too be noted here is that if you are unable to spot the database server manager in the programs list, then it is recommended to uninstall QuickBooks and reinstall selecting the second option.
Workstation tasks
- You need to ensure that the hosting is turned off
- For this, open QuickBooks desktop.
- And then select file and utilities tab.
- If the stop hosting multi-user access appears, then select it to disable hosting on the system.
- In case of host multi-user access appears in the menu, the hosting is already disabled and move ahead.
- After that, open the company file using a UNC path.
UNC (Uniform Naming Convention) is basically a common syntax Windows uses to describe the location of a network resource.
An example of a UNC path is \\Computer Name\Shared Folder\. Computer Name in this example would be the name of the server where the company file is hosted.
You can open the company using the UNC path by carrying out the below steps:
- Firstly, open QuickBooks desktop.
- And then choose file and open or restore company.
- Next step is to choose open a company file and then click on next.
- And further, hit a click on my network places.
- And then double click entire network and navigate to the location on the server.
- And lastly, choose the company file and hit open.
It is recommended to ensure that you are connected to the network using wired connection configure firewall and then add QuickBooks firewall ports set up folder permissions to share the company files.
See Also: How to Fix “Unable to Print” Problem in QuickBooks Desktop?
Conclusion
In this post, we have tried to cover all the aspects related to the QuickBooks connection has been lost error. Carrying out any of the methods that we have discussed above might be of great help in getting rid of this annoying error. However, if any information is missed out or if any of your queries remained unanswered, then feel free to contact our industries best accounting professionals via our dedicated helpline 1-800-761-1787. You can ask all our doubts to our QuickBooks error support team anytime 24X7X365.
FAQs
1. The very first step is to open QB (as administrator), and hit a click on File menu.
2. After that, you need to select “Open or Restore company”.
3. Here, select “Open a Company file” and tap on “Next” tab.
4. In the next step you need to choose “Network Places” and then tap on “Entire Network”.
5. Once done with that, go to the location of the Company file.
6. Followed by, choose the file and after that, hit on “Open”. That’s it!
The principal reasons behind this technical QB error are:
1. Old or incompatible version of QuickBooks
2. Poor internet connection.
3. Furthermore, a chance that the connection is being blocked by the Firewall cannot be overlooked.
Yes! various sub-tools of QuickBooks Tool Hub can be employed to fix this error. QB Toll Hub is downloadable from the Intuit website. This tool contains different features, among which the “QuickBooks Connection Diagnostic Tool” and the “QB File Doctor Tool” can be used for fixing this connection issue in QuickBooks.
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