Here’s What to Do When QuickBooks Hosting Mode is Off 

When your business relies on QuickBooks for seamless team collaboration or for accessing your company file in the cloud, issues with QuickBooks hosting mode can disrupt your workflow.

If you see error messages like:

“QuickBooks hosting mode is off“

“QBDBMgrN not running on this computer” 

“An error occurred when QuickBooks tried to access the company file” OR

error codes such as QuickBooks Error H202, H-series, or 6000 – it likely means you’re unable to access your company file over the network, or the access settings for team members are misconfigured.

Worried about data security or wondering how to resolve these interruptions? This comprehensive guide will help you understand why these errors occur and provide expert-curated troubleshooting steps to get you back on track. Let’s dive into the details….

Before You Begin: Quick Checklist
Make sure to review the following before performing any troubleshooting steps for hosting issues: 

• Verify the hosting settings on the server  
• Ensure QuickBooks is updated
• Confirm internet/network connection
• Restart QuickBooks on all devices
• Ensure the Windows user has admin access

Common Causes of QuickBooks Hosting Mode Is Off

See the possible reasons why you might see the QuickBooks server hosting mode is off:

• Hosting turned off on the server
• Multiple workstations are trying to host the file
• Damaged .ND or .TLG files
• QBDBMgrN service not running
• Incorrect folder permissions
• Firewall blocking QuickBooks ports
• Corrupted installation
• Windows network discovery is disabled
• File stored on a non-shared location

How to Fix the QuickBooks Hosting Mode is Off Error on the Server? 

If the hosting mode is off in QuickBooks Desktop even after setup, follow these troubleshooting steps to get your team back on track.

1. Configure hosting settings on the server 

If you see error H101, H303, or H505, one or more of your workstations is set to be the QuickBooks server. Your server (the computer that hosts your company’s files) should be the only computer running in multi-user mode. 

Here’s how to ‘turn on hosting mode QuickBooks Desktop’:

Note:You can do these steps before opening a company file.

• Open QuickBooks Desktop on any workstation where you see H101, H303, or H505, as the hosting mode is off.  
• Go to File > Utilities. 
• If the option is labeled Host Multi-User Access, don’t select it. Move to the next workstation, as this one isn’t the cause of the problem.
• If the option Stop Hosting Multi-User Access is available, select it.

• Now, repeat the same steps on all workstations where hosting mode is off. 

Once you check all the workstations, move on to your server computer. This is the main computer that hosts your company file. 

• Launch QuickBooks on your main computer. 
• Navigate to the File menu and select Utilities. 
• If the option Host Multi-User Access is available, select it. If Stop Hosting Multi-User Access is an option, skip it.  

2. Rename the .ND and .TLG files

If .ND and .TLG files are damaged, you’ll see QuickBooks mode is off, QuickBooks error 6000, QuickBooks error H-series, or other errors when you open your QuickBooks files.

When you rename these files, QuickBooks creates them again when you scan with the QuickBooks Database Server Manager and when you open your company file.

a. Rename the .ND and .TLG file

• Open the folder where the company file is saved.  
• Look for files with the same name as your company file but with the .ND and .TLG at the end. 
  • company_file.qbw.nd
  • company_file.qbw.tlg
• Right-click on each file and choose Rename. Add .OLD at the end of each file. 

Example: company_file.qbw.nd.OLD

If you still encounter the ‘QuickBooks Desktop hosting mode is off’ issue, go to the next step. 

b. Run the QuickBooks Database Server Manager

The QuickBooks Database Server Manager hosting mode is off issue means that this tool isn’t running on the server that lets you host the company file on the network. Restart QBDBSM and scan the .ND and .TLG files.

Note: Download and install QuickBooks Tool Hub (1.6.0.8) to the latest release available for uninterrupted access to different utilities. 

• Open the QuickBooks Tool Hub. 
• Go to Network Issues in the left menu bar. 
• Click on QuickBooks Database Server Manager. Install QuickBooks on the server if you haven’t yet. 

• Select Start Scan in the QuickBooks Database Server Manager if you see the .TLG and .ND files. If you don’t click Browse locate to the company file and select Start Scan. 
• Open QuickBooks Desktop and try to sign in to your company file again. 

3. Run QuickBooks File Doctor

The QuickBooks File Doctor verifies the company file for possible data damage or network connectivity issues.

• Go to Company File Issues in the Tool Hub. 
• Click on Run QuickBooks File Doctor. The tool may take up a minute or more to open. 

Note: If you fail to open QuickBooks File Doctor, search for QuickBooks Desktop File Doc and open the tool manually. 

• Select your company file from the drop-down in the tool. If you don’t see it, click Browse and search to locate the file. 
• Click Check your file, then Continue.
• Enter the QuickBooks admin password, then click Next. 

4. Check the folder permissions on your server computer

These services allow the QuickBooks Database Server Manager to access, read, and write to the company files in the shared folder, which is essential for accessing a data file on a multi-user network; otherwise, you will see the QuickBooks error hosting mode is off.

a. Set up folder permissions 

QuickBooks may not have the correct permissions to access the file folders:

i. Verify that permissions are set correctly

• Press the Windows logo key. 
• Type File Explorer in the Windows Start menu. 
• Right-click on the QuickBooks file folder and select Properties.
• Go to the Security tab, then click Advanced. 
• Choose QBDataServiceUserXX and click on Edit.
• Configure the following settings to Allowed: 
  • Traverse Folder/Execute File
  • List Folder/Read Data
  • Read Attributes
  • Read Extended Attributes
  • Create Files/Write Data
  • Create Folders/Append Data
  • Write Attributes
  • Write Extended Attributes
  • Read Permissions

If you haven’t set the permissions correctly: 

• Right-click on the QuickBooks company file folder and select Properties.
• Go to the Security tab, then click Edit.  
• Choose the QBDataServiceUserXX service and select Full Control, then Allow. 
• Finally, select Apply > OK.

ii. Change folder permissions

Here’s how to adjust the file folder permissions: 

• Launch the Windows Start menu. 
• Type File Explorer and press Enter. 
• Look for the following folder and right-click on each: 
  • C:\Program Data\Intuit\Entitlement Client\v8
  • C:\Program Data\Intuit\Entitlement Client\v6.0
  • C:\Program Data\Intuit\Entitlement Client\v5
  • C:\Program Data\Intuit\Entitlement Client\v3
  • C:\Program Data\Intuit\Entitlement Client
  • C:\Program Data\Intuit\QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions X.0 (X = version) or C:\Program Data\Intuit\QuickBooks 20XX (XX = year)
  • C:\Program Data\COMMON FILES\INTUIT
  • C:\Program Data\COMMON FILES\INTUIT\QUICKBOOKS
  • C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Intuit\QuickBooks\FAMXX (XX = year)
  • C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Intuit\QuickBooks\Company Files
  • C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Intuit\QuickBooks\Sample Company Files\QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions X.0 (X = version) or C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Intuit\QuickBooks\Sample Company Files\QuickBooks 20XX (XX = year)

Now, perform these steps for each folder. Remember that you may not have all the folders, as some are specific to certain versions of QuickBooks Desktop: 

• Right-click the file folder, then select Properties.  
• Go to the Security tab. 
• Select Everyone. 

Note: If Everyone is not an option in the Group or User Name checkbox, click on Add and type in Everyone. Then, click OK.

• Choose Full Control, select Apply, and then OK.  

b. Set Windows access permissions to share company files

QuickBooks needs the correct set of access permissions to prevent future issues, such as QuickBooks 2024 hosting mode is off when working in a company file on the network. 

The steps below apply only to Windows 10.

• Launch the Windows Start menu. 
• Type File Explorer and press the Enter key.
• Locate the folder where the company file is saved and right-click on it. 
• Select Properties, then click on Sharing. Then, Share Add.
• Choose the corresponding version for QBDataServiceUserXX.
• Configure the permission level of both users to Full Control and choose Share.

5. Check if QuickBooks services are running

The QBDBSM service is essential for hosting company files on the network; otherwise, you will not be able to access them. 

Important for the Full Program option: If you use the full version of QuickBooks on your server computer, first turn on multi-user hosting.Launch QuickBooks on the main computer. Go to File > Utilities. If you see the Host Multi-User Access option, select it. And skip it if you see the Stop Hosting Multi-User Access option.

For seamless hosting, make sure QuickBooks services are running on your server computer. Follow the steps below to check QuickbooksDBXX, and repeat the same for QBCFMonitorService.

• On your server computer, open the Windows Start menu.
• In the Windows search, type Run and press Enter. 
• Type “services.msc” into the Run window and press Enter again.
• Now, look for QuickBooksDBXX and double-click on it. Here, XX is the version of QuickBooks plus 10. Example: QuickBooks 2024 is QuickBooksDB34.
• For the Startup type, choose Automatic. 
• The Service status should either be Running or Started. If it’s neither, click on Start.

• Go to the Recovery tab.
• Click on Restart the Service from each of the following drop-down menus: First failure, Second failure, and Subsequent failures. 

• Select Apply and click OK to save the changes. 
• Now, repeat the same steps for QBCFMonitorService.

When done, open QuickBooks Desktop on each workstation. Go to the File menu >  Switch to Multi-user Mode. If the company opens on the server, the problem is fixed. 

6. Turn on Network Discovery

The Network Discovery feature must be turned on, and it appears on the server computer when you try to open a company file via a UNC path. If password-protected sharing is enabled, Windows will also prompt you for the network password. 

Here’s how to enable the Network Discovery when ‘QuickBooks Desktop company file hosting not working’:

• Open the Windows Control Panel. 
• Click on Network and Sharing Center.
• Select Change advanced sharing settings.
• Now, expand the Profile type that you are using. 
• Click on Turn on network discovery under Network discovery.
• Under Password-protected sharing, select Turn off password-protected sharing.
• Select Save changes.

7. Configure Windows Firewall settings for QuickBooks

Windows Firewall or a system security application controls the system ports for incoming and outgoing data on your computer. It even blocks anything considered a threat or malicious to your data. This could be the reason why Windows Firewall is blocking QuickBooks Desktop. 

To resolve the QuickBooks hosting mode is off issue, you must create an an exception or set up the QuickBooks Desktop ports in Windows Firewall. 

8. Re-install QuickBooks Desktop

Reinstalling QuickBooks Desktop involves uninstalling the software first, which removes program files and folders from the system. Afterward, the software is reinstalled using either the original installation files or a fresh download. This process ensures that any corrupted files or settings are cleared, providing a clean QuickBooks installation for improved performance and functionality. 

9. Ping a server from workstation 

Ping a server from the workstation to verify the connection. Try this on each workstation where you experience hosting mode is off in QuickBooks.

First, turn Network Discovery on the server computer and any workstations. For the steps, check Solution 6. 

Now, you must get the server name from your server computer: 

• Launch the Windows Start menu on your main computer.
• In the search bar, type Run and press Enter. 
• In the Run prompt, type CMD and press Enter.

• Now, type ‘ipconfig/all’ into the CMD window. Then, press Enter. 
• Look for the Host Name in the Windows IP Configuration section. The server name should be on the right. 

• Note down the hostname and copy it into Notepad or a Word document so you can access it quickly.

Now, open your workstation to test the server. These steps are a bit complex; you can also reach out to an IT professional or Microsoft experts for help.

• Open the Windows Start menu from your workstation.
• In the search field, type Run and press Enter. 
• Now, type CMD into the Run and press Enter.
• Type “ping [your server name],” and press the Enter key. Avoid adding brackets around the server name. 

• Repeat the steps for each workstation where you get the hosting issue. 
• If you receive a reply for each packet without any loss, the server is working fine. 

If there’s packet loss or a significant delay, stop and consult an IT professional for network assistance.

‘Hosting mode in QuickBooks is still off’? We recommend that you contact QuickBooks experts. 

Conclusion 

If your QuickBooks hosting mode is off when you try to share or access a company file over the network, you must identify the cause and resolve the issue. Following the steps above will help you ensure a seamless collaboration.

For further assistance, reach out to the QuickBookSupportNet experts available at +1(866)500-0076. Talk to an expert now!

Frequently Asked Questions 

How do I turn on hosting mode in QuickBooks Desktop? 

To turn on hosting mode in QuickBooks Desktop, open QuickBooks on the server computer, go to the File menu, select Utilities, and then click Host Multi-User Access. You may need to click Yes to confirm the change and restart QuickBooks.

What does hosting mean in QuickBooks? 

In QuickBooks, hosting means a service provider stores your QuickBooks software and data files on their remote servers, which you can then access from any device with an internet connection.

This differs from running QuickBooks directly on your personal computer and offers benefits like remote access, automatic backups, and the provider managing software updates and security. 

Why is QuickBooks multi-user mode not working? 

‘QuickBooks Desktop hosting and multi-user mode’ might not be working due to incorrect hosting settings, not running QuickBooks Database Server Manager or the hosting services, data damage or corruption, or the network connectivity between a server or workstation might not be secure.

Why do QuickBooks multi-user mode H101, H303, and H404 occur?  

You may encounter QuickBooks multi-user mode errors H101, H202, H303, and H404 due to incorrect permissions, Windows Firewall security settings, incorrect hosting settings, data damage, network connectivity issues, or if the hosting services are not running on the server.

Can QuickBooks work without hosting mode?

Yes, QuickBooks supports hosting mode. Although QuickBooks Desktop isn’t cloud-based, enabling the hosting feature allows you to share the company file over the network and collaborate seamlessly with your team.

What is the difference between a server and a workstation in QuickBooks?

In QuickBooks, the server is the main computer that hosts your company file on the network and runs in multi-user mode, while workstations are the computers connected to the server and run in single-user mode.