How to Fix QuickBooks Desktop Freezing up or Crashing Problem?

Effective solutions to fix the QuickBooks Desktop Freezes/Crashes Issue when opening or closing

Not every time QuickBooks Desktop runs smoothly — at times you might get stuck as the QuickBooks freezes, QuickBooks keeps freezing, or QuickBooks not responding. One of the major reasons that you might face any type of error in QuickBooks is that it involves various codes and algorithms. Talking about how to unfreeze QuickBooks Desktop or QuickBooks crashing issue, it basically means that the software hangs or stops responding and doesn’t close when you try to shut it down. It generates new off-screen windows that run in the background, and when you shut the software, the window doesn’t shut down, leading to QuickBooks freezing issue or QuickBooks closes randomly.

This error can be pretty much annoying to handle. If you are also a victim of the QuickBooks Desktop freezing, QuickBooks freezes up, or QuickBooks not opening error, then make sure to read this post till the end. Through this segment, we are going to discuss the possible causes as well as the solutions to this error. Moreover, if you feel that tackling this error is not your cup of tea, then get in touch with our accounting experts using our dedicated support line i.e. 1-800-761-1787. Our QuickBooks error support team will offer you indomitable help in fixing the QuickBooks keeps freezing problem.

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Why does QuickBooks Desktop Freezes or Crashes?

At the time of working with QuickBooks software, QuickBooks Desktop freezes/crashes error hinders the smooth working process. This error generates a few off-screen windows running in the background, which do not close when you try to shut them. This not only freezes the QuickBooks software but also risks any unsaved data and may trigger QuickBooks freezing when opening or QuickBooks freezing when closing.

What triggers the QuickBooks Desktop freezing up error?

While installing the QuickBooks Desktop edition, you might encounter this error as the installer might freeze for a couple of seconds or even stop responding to user commands. Usually, it might get stuck on the “Installing ABS PDF driver…” window. There can be various factors leading to such an error, which will be discussed later in this article.

Why QuickBooks Desktop keeps freezing/crashing?

There can be many factors causing this error, few are as.

• The very first factor causing this error can be if the Windows operating system is out of date.
• Your company name might be too long
• Another factor can be if the DDF and your preference files get damaged somehow.
• The file doesn’t allow you to operate the window for some reason.
• You might have a damaged Windows operating system or missing QBWUSER.INI file
• In case the applications are running in the background, you can encounter this error.
• There can be corruption on your hard drive or any damaged program files or QuickBooks Desktop installation, resulting in QuickBooks not responding or QuickBooks freezes up.

Signs & Symptoms indicating the QB freezing up or crashing problem

Following are some signs and symptoms of this error:

• After a few seconds of QuickBooks Desktop freezing, your PC slows down.

• Processing operations on QuickBooks Desktop become much more difficult.

• QuickBooks becomes sluggish or not responding, and any keyboard or mouse inputs are slow to respond.

• In some cases, QuickBooks freezes when opening a company file or even QuickBooks closes randomly without warning.

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Methods to fix QuickBooks desktop freezing up when opening, can’t move or close

There can be more than one method to fix this error, which increases the probability of making the software work smoothly. Let us check out the methods one by one to fix the QuickBooks keeps freezing, QuickBooks not responding, or QuickBooks freezing issue.

Solution 1: Edit the DAT and DDF files

• You need to close the Company files.
• Now, find the company directory and rename ‘DAT’ to ‘OldUserPRef.DAT.’
• Delete Each file with the DDF extension.
• Followed by, opening the company and click on confirm to save the payments from the same directory.
• Now, hit on Print to print successfully.  

This often helps fix the QuickBooks freezing when opening or QuickBooks freezes up while printing issues.

Solution 2: Disable tablet PC input services

• Initially, press Windows + R keys and type MSC and then click on OK tab.
• Double-click the Tablet PC input service or touch keyboard and Handwriting panel service.
• Next step is to hit a click on Stop the service option.
• Now double-click the Tabled input service and then select the Properties option.

Turning off tablet PC input services – Screenshot

• Once done with that, Disable the start-up type and click OK button.
• To end the process, shut down the Services menu and then reopen QuickBooks.

Read Also: How to Disable QuickBooks Update Service Pop Up?

Solution 3: Create and restore portable company file

If there are any data related issues, QuickBooks provides a feature that enables you to create a portable file that you may utilize to address them. The steps are as follows:

• Open the QuickBooks file and go to File menu.
• Select the Create Copy option.
• Then click on Portable Company File and then tap on Next tab.

Create or Save a Portable Company File in QuickBooks – Screenshot

• Choose a location to save the portable file, then hit on Save, followed by hitting on OK.

Procedure to restore the portable company file

• Navigate to File menu, and select Open or Restore Company option.
• After that, click on Next and select Restore a portable file option.

• Find a portable company file, choose it, then tap on Open,
• Now click on Next.
• Finally, hit on Save after changing the location of the company file.

Solution 4: Use the rebuild data tool

The QuickBooks verify and rebuild data tool fixes minor company file data issues automatically. The steps involved in this process are as follows:

• Initially, open the File menu and then visit the Utilities tab.
• Also, chose the Rebuild data option.
• Visit the QuickBooks information window and then hit OK button.
• Next step is to carry out the On-screen prompts to save a backup.
• Wait till it repairs the file. If you are able to move the mouse, then the tool is functioning.
• Once done with that, opt for the OK tab.
• You need to now open the File menu and then visit the Utilities tab and also select the Verify data option.

• The final step is to wait while the tool checks the file for the data issues.

In case the tool doesn’t point out or diagnose any issues, then hit OK. Continue to use the QuickBooks company file as it has no data damage. Or if the issue is detected, then select Rebuild Now tab.

Repeat the process if the issue continues every after rebuilding the company file. In case the first rebuild took very long then look for a professional.

Read this Also: How to Fix QuickBooks Desktop Update Errors?

Solution 5: Uninstall the QuickBooks desktop

• Begin with clicking the Windows + R keys and open Run command.
• Furthermore, hit a click on the Control panel and hit OK button.
• Next, hit on the Programs and Features option.

• Also. click on Uninstall a program option.
• Once done with that, choose the QuickBooks option from the list of programs and then choose uninstall/change.

• Now, end the process by following the on-screen instructions.

A fresh installation helps when QuickBooks Desktop keeps freezing, QuickBooks crashes on startup, or QuickBooks freezes when closing. This process removes corrupted files that trigger QuickBooks not responding or QuickBooks freezing issue.

Solution 6: Use QuickBooks tool hub program

• To begin with, you can download the QuickBooks tool hub from here.
• You would here have to save it on your computer where you can easily find it.
• Now, double-click on the QuickBooksToolHub.exe to run the program on your PC.
• Follow the On-screen instructions to install this tool.
• Once the tool hub successfully installed on your computer, open it by double clicking on the QuickBooks tool hub icon.

Step 1: Run the QuickBooks File Doctor from Tool hub program

• Now, launch QuickBooks Tool Hub program.
• Go to the Company File Issues tab and select Run QuickBooks File Doctor option.

• To choose the company file, hit on Browse.

• To check your Network and file systems, tap on the option.
• Hit on the Enter key to proceed ahead.
• After entering the QuickBooks Admin password, hit on Next.

• Let the scan finish.

Step 2: Use Clean Install tool from Tool hub program

If the file doctor didn’t work for you the use clean install tool. Here’s how:

• Proceed to the Installation Issues tab and choose the Clean Install tool.

• After that, open the QBcleaninstallutility.exe file.
• Furthermore, hit on I accept when the license agreement.
• Now, select the QB version and then click on Continue.

• Lastly, hit on the OK button.
• Once you see QuickBooks is now ready for a clean install, please install to the default directory.

Step 3: Run the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic tool

In case the above tool didn’t worked in your case, then use QuickBooks install diagnostic tool.

• Open the tool hub program, opt for the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool under the Installation Issues tab.

• It will take about a minute or more to download the tool.
• However, you can also download QuickBooks install diagnostic tool directly from here.
• Save the file somewhere on the desktop.
• Now close all the running programs and then Run the QuickBooks install diagnostic tool.

• Followed by waiting till the process completes.
• Reboot the system and ensure that the elements are updates properly.

Step 4: Make use of the QuickBooks Database Server Manager

Implement the steps below:

• The first step requires downloading of the QuickBooks Tools Hub and then launch the Tool Hub at this time.
• From the Network Issues menu, Opt for the QuickBooks Database Server Manager.

• Check that the procedure resolves the freezing or crashing error in QuickBooks desktop.

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Solution 7: Turn off unnecessary programs running in the background

It is a good idea to ensure that only QuickBooks Desktop is running while you perform accounting operations. Background programs can often cause QuickBooks freezes up or make the software not responding.

 

You can clear the cache within the internet explorer and try to resolve the error. These caches can lead to excess data and slow down the system. If you are unable to fix the error after following the above methods, then clearing the browser cache and temporary internet files.

Clearing data from browser

• Initially, open the “Clear browsing data” window on your system:
  • In Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift+ Del keys.
  • In Mac: Press Command + Shift + Del keys.
  • On Chromebook: Press Ctrl + Shift + Backspace keys.
• Now select All time option from the drop-down menu.

• In the next step you need to hit a click on Clear data.
• The process will take few seconds for changes to take effect.

Clearing the temporary files

• First, press Windows+R keys on your keyboard and the type “%temp%”.

• You can also go through the C:\Users\ADMINI~1\AppData\Local\Temp path to directly access the temporary files of your system.
• Now press the CTRL + A keys at the same time to choose all the .tmp files together.
• In the next step, press the Delete key to remove all the files.

• If the User Account Control window appear to confirm, hit a click on Yes. That’s it!

Solution 8: Use the QuickBooks refresher tool

• Under this method, you need to first close all QuickBooks desktop version.
• You would then have to download the QuickBooks refresher tools.
• Followed by saving the file on the desktop.
• Moreover, run the QBRefresher tool.
• Finally, re-open QuickBooks Desktop and check if the error is resolved.

Read this also: How to Zero Out Payroll Liabilities in QuickBooks?

Solution 9: Close QB-related processes

This is the last method that one can opt for, in case the above methods failed to work.

• Go to the Task Manager by hitting the Ctrl + Alt + Delete keys.
• Furthermore, click on the processes tab.
• Once done with that, choose all applications that start with .qb, QuickBooks, or Intuit.
• At last hit a click on the End process option and you are done with the process.

• Shut down the Task Manager and restart QB Desktop to see if the error got uprooted.

Final words!

The above solutions should help you fix the QuickBooks Desktop freezing, QuickBooks keeps freezing, or QuickBooks not responding issue efficiently. Always start by checking the simpler methods such as renaming files or updating your QuickBooks and Windows, before proceeding to advanced fixes like using QuickBooks Tool Hub or reinstalling QuickBooks.

If your QuickBooks freezes when opening, QuickBooks not opening, or QuickBooks freezing issue still persists, consider contacting a certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor for professional help. They can diagnose deeper system-level causes and ensure that your company file and installation remain error-free. You can call us using our support line i.e., 1-800-761-1787, and our QuickBooks enterprise support team will help you get rid of the issue in no time. Just ring up and our experts will be there to assist you.

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