Learn How to Fix QuickBooks Error H202

Facing issues accessing your company file in multi-user mode? QuickBooks Error H202 occurs when QuickBooks fails to access the company file in multi-user mode due to a network issue, Windows firewall restrictions, or more. QuickBooks refuses to risk your data when the host and network rules are not properly aligned. 

The guide on error H202 covers everything that would require you to fix it. However, QuickBooks error fixes depend on your system and the QuickBooks version you are using. Many users opt to call a QuickBooks expert to finish the job without risking their company file or any data damage.  

Common causes of QuickBooks error H202

• Incorrect hosting settings: The server may not be set up correctly to host company files, or the hosting service might be disabled on a workstation.
• Firewall or security software blocking access: The firewall on the server or a workstation might be blocking your QuickBooks application from connecting to the company file.
• Damaged network data (.ND) or transaction log (.TLG) files: If the company file’s network data or transaction log files are corrupted, it can prevent a multi-user connection.
• Incorrect IP address or DNS issues: The computer’s IP address might be incorrect in the hosts file, or there could be a conflict with the DNS server.
• File path conflicts: Placing the company file in a folder with a complicated path can cause issues. 

Before you start

• Make a fresh backup of your company file. 
• Close all apps and sign in as Windows Admin.
• Your system must have the latest QuickBooks Tool Hub version installed.  
• QuickBooks as an administrator.

What not to do while fixing error H202 in QuickBooks?

• Except for the server, make sure not to enable multi-user access on workstations. 
• Do not open the company file on a workstation that is experiencing an error. 
• Do not ignore the workstation that has the option of Host Multi-user Access. 
• Without the confirmation, do not assume the server is set up correctly. 

Learn More – QuickBooks Multi-user mode not Working

Learn How to Fix QuickBooks Error H202. 

Using the QuickBooks tool Hub, run the QuickBooks Database Server Manager on your server.

Solution 1: Use the QuickBooks Tool and its feature 

Step 1: Install the QuickBooks tool hub.

The QuickBooks Tool Hub is used to correct common errors; close the QuickBooks program before use.

We recommend using QB tool hub on Windows 10, 64-bit.

• Close the QuickBooks application.
• Now, download the updated version of QuickBooks Tool Hub, and as of now, it is 1.6.0.8. 
• Save your download to a short file location path. You could save it to your desktop screen.

Note:- Click on the Windows Start menu, if there is no shortcut icon on the desktop, and search for QuickBooks Tool Hub. Now, open the application. 

• Open your downloaded file, QuickBooksToolHub.exe, and follow the on-screen instructions to install the application. 
• Agree to their terms and conditions. 
• After the application gets installed, double-click on the icon that would have appeared on your Windows desktop and open the tool hub.

Note:- If there is no shortcut icon on the desktop, click on the Windows Start menu and search for QuickBooks Tool Hub. Now, open the application.

Step 2: Run QuickBooks Database Server Manager on your server using QuickBooks Tool Hub. 

For your information, the server computer is the one where the company file has been restored. At the same time, your other computers are considered workstations that are just connected to your network.

• Click on the Network Issues in your QuickBooks Tool Hub application.
• Click on the QuickBooks Database Server Manager. In case you find that QuickBooks is not on your server, it will ask you for installation.

• Click on the Start Scan in the QuickBooks Database Server Manager if you have the folder containing your company file. 

• In case you did not find it, browse the company file’s location and click on Start Scan.

• The database server manager would automatically repair your Windows firewall permissions. Click on Close once the scan is finished.
• Launch QuickBooks on each workstation where you would find QuickBooks Desktop error code H202.
• Click on File and choose Switch to Multi-user Mode.

Step 3: In the QuickBooks Tool Hub, run the file Doctor. 

• Click on Company File Issues in the tool hub.
• Click on Run QuickBooks File Doctor. 

• Now, from the drop-down menu, select your company file. If you don’t find your file, click on Browse and search for the file.
• Click on Check your Network and hit Continue. 
• Enter your QB’s admin password and click on Next.

Verify the resolution of QuickBooks error H202. If each workstation is able to switch to multi-user mode without any problems, the error has been resolved. If the H202 error is not fixed, try Solution 2.

Fix QuickBooks Error Desktop H202 Manually

Solution 2: Check the Service on your Server.

Ensure QuickBooks services are operational on your hosting station. 

• Click on the Windows Start menu
• In the Search box, enter Run and press Enter. 
• Find QuickBooks Database Server Manager XX and double-click on it. 

Note: – XX is the version of your QuickBooks plus 10, for example, QuickBooks 2024 is QuickBooksDB34.

• For the Startup type, click on Automatic.
• Ensure that either Running or Started is the service status. 
• In case you find neither, click on Start.

• Choose the Recovery tab.
• Click on Restart the Service from the following drop-down menus:
  • First Failure
  • Second Failure
  • Subsequent Failures

• Now, click on Apply and hit OK.
• Finally, the changes you made would be saved. 
• Again, use these same steps for QBCFMonitorService.  

After you have finished the above steps, launch QuickBooks on all workstations.  

• Go to the File.
• Click on Switch to Multi-user mode. 

If there is no issue in the functioning of QuickBooks, it means the H202 QuickBooks Error is fixed. In the other case, if the error still survives, proceed with solution 3.

Solution 3: Configure Your Windows Firewall Settings 

Ensure that the server computer lets QuickBooks through your Windows firewall. 

• Click on the Windows Start menu.
• In the search box, type Windows Firewall and open it.

• Click on Advanced Settings.
• On the option Inbound Rules, right-click on it and select New Rule.
• Click on Port and hit Next.

• Select the TCP option. 

In the field-specific local ports, enter the ports that you need for your QB year version: 

Note:- The time it takes to scan your file depends on its size. It may take up to five minutes. After the scan is complete, launch the QuickBooks application and open your company file.

If everything works fine without any problems, the error has been fixed, and you can continue working. If the error persists, try Solution 4.

Solution 4: From the workstation, ping your server.

• Click on the Windows Start menu on your host computer and workstations.
• In the search box, type Network and open Network and Sharing Center.
• Click on Change advanced sharing settings.
• Select Turn on network discovery in the section Network discovery and File and printer sharing.

In further steps, from your server, check your server name. 

• On your server computer, click on the Windows Start menu.
• In the search box, type Run and open it.
• In the Run window, enter CMD and hit Enter.

• In the CMD window, enter ipconfig/all and press Enter.
• In the Windows IP Configuration, find your Host Name. You will find the server name on the right side, as you can see in the image below.  

Note down the hostname, or you can copy it to your Word document. This would help you to access it ASAP.

Once you have checked your workstations, move to the server computer. We would like to inform you that the server computer is the one that hosts your company’s files.  

• From your workstation, open the Windows Start menu.
• In the search field, enter Run and open it.
• In the Run window, type CMD and hit Enter.
• Now, enter your ping[your server name] and hit Enter.

Note:- Do not include brackets, as that is just an example of the format.  

• You need to repeat the above steps on each workstation that is facing the QuickBooks error code H202.

Solution 5: Save the Company file to a new location

There is a chance that any corrupt file path may also cause the H202 error in QuickBooks. In this solution, we will move the company file to a new location. 

• Close the QuickBooks program.
• Now, on the desktop, create a New Folder.
• Copy to the company file and paste it into the new folder with the extension .QBW.
• Launch QuickBooks.
• Go to the file and click on Open or Restore a Company.

• Browse to the new folder. 
• Open the QuickBooks application. 

Now, confirm whether the error is fixed or not. If QuickBooks operates on all the workstations and you are able to access the company file, the issue is fixed. If not, it is time to contact a QuickBooks expert +1(866)500-0076.   

Bonus Tips to Avoid QuickBooks Error H202

• Use the latest version of QuickBooks Desktop.  
• The server computer should be the only system with active Host Multi-user Access. 
• Ensure to run the QuickBooks Tool Hub regularly.
• Always configure firewall settings as per the requirements of the host’s multi-user mode.
• Make sure you have a stable internet connection to operate QuickBooks in multi-user mode.

Conclusion

We hope the QuickBooks error H202 is fixed. It is important that your QuickBooks application can access your company file. This is essential for any business and/or users relying on QuickBooks. 

Sometimes, standard fixes would not work to resolve the error and require an advanced technical solution to get fixed. These technical advance fixes can be tricky for non-technical users. If you are still struggling with the error, reach out to QuickBooks professionals at +1(866)500-0076. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is QuickBooks Error H202 Windows 11?

Error H202 of QuickBooks is a network error when QuickBooks fails to access the company file in multi-user mode. 

Is it safe to fix the QuickBooks error H202 by myself?

Yes, it is completely safe to try the standard solutions, but make sure to have a fresh backup before you start with the solutions part. If you have tried multiple attempts and still the error is not resolved, do not proceed further and contact QuickBooks professionals at +1(866)500-0076. 

What are the situations when QuickBooks error H202 occurs?

You are likely facing the QuickBooks error H202 because of a problem with the multi-user connection to your server, which can be caused by incorrect hosting settings, firewall restrictions, damaged network data files, or issues with QuickBooks services. 

What to do if my error is still not fixed after trying all the solutions?

If you have tried all the solutions and the error is still not fixed, contact a QuickBooks specialist at +1(866)500-0076. 

Do QuickBooks Errors H101, H303, and H505 have similar solutions as H202?

Yes, QuickBooks errors H101, QuickBooks error H303, and QuickBooks Error H505 are related and share similar fixes with H202, indicating a problem with connecting to a company file in multi-user mode.