Running a business is no easy task, and managing critical company data securely can be even more challenging.
In QuickBooks Desktop, users may encounter errors, data loss, or file corruption when opening a company file, along with issues involving customer, vendor, or employee lists, or network connectivity. Fortunately, Intuit has designed the QuickBooks File Doctor tool to help you avoid these problems. Integrated into the QuickBooks Tool Hub, this tool scans for and automatically fixes company file and network-related issues.
In this guide, we’ll explore what QuickBooks File Doctor is, how it works within the Tool Hub, and what steps to take when the tool displays test results on your screen.
It’s common to worry about permanent data loss or corruption if a company file suddenly fails to open or host on the network. But don’t worry; connect with our QB professionals at +1-866-500-0076, who are available to guide you every step of the way!
What is QuickBooks File Doctor?
QuickBooks File Doctor is a utility that helps identify and address company file and network-related issues mainly due to possible data damage or corruption.
Before September 2020, the utility was available to download File Doctor separately, known as a stand-alone version. Now, you must download and install Tool Hub, which works as a launchpad for various tools and utilities such as QB File Doctor, Quick Fix my Program, QuickBooks Install Diagnostic tool and others.
The File Doctor tool helps troubleshoot the common company file and network-related network-related errors, which we are discussing below, along with the instructions for using the tool.
Errors You Can Fix Using QuickBooks File Doctor
Let’s get an overview of the possible errors and issues the QuickBooks Desktop File Doctor tool fixes in what scenarios they encounter:
| Errors | Description |
| QuickBooks Error 6150 | The error indicates a potential data integrity issue. You must run QBFD or Verify and Rebuild Data utility. You may also see “We’re Sorry. QuickBooks couldn’t open your company file” on your screen. |
| QuickBooks Error 6000 82 | The error occurs when opening a company file, indicating a problem with the file itself, such as a damaged or incorrect file extension. |
| QuickBooks Error 6000 301 | The error shows the company file couldn’t be opened and includes a warning message. “An error occurred when QuickBooks Desktop tried to access the company file. Please try again.” |
| QuickBooks Error 6147 | Corrupted or incorrect file path when opening the company file. |
| Network or hosting related errors | Hosting issues with “This company file is on another computer, but QuickBooks needs some help connecting” and possible errors like QuickBooks Error H202, QuickBooks Error H303, QuickBooks Error H505. |
| Missing or blank customer, vendor, or employee lists | Missing customer or employee data in QB payroll. |
Fixing Company File and Network Related Issues in QuickBooks
Now that we know what QuickBooks File Doctor is and when to use it, this section explains how to download, install, and run it to diagnose or fix company file or network issues.
a. Download and Install QuickBooks Tool Hub
To access the File Doctor tool, you must download and install the latest version of QuickBooks Tool Hub File Doctor and ensure you use the latest 64-bit version of Windows to get the best out of it.
b. Run Quick Fix my file
Running the Quick Fix My File tool helps to get the best out of File Doctor in fixing the company file and network-related issues.
- Hit on Company File Issues.
- Click Quick Fix my File.
- Select OK when it completes and launch QuickBooks.
c. Run QuickBooks File Doctor
Here’s how to perform the QuickBooks Desktop File Doctor download and run it:
- Select Company File Issues in QB Tool Hub.
- Click on Run QuickBooks File Doctor. The tool might take up to one minute to open; wait until then.
| Note: If the QuickBooks File Doctor doesn’t open, search for QuickBooks Desktop File Doc and open it manually. |
- In QuickBooks File Doctor, choose your company file from the drop-down menu. If you can’t find the company file, click Browse and locate to the file.
- Hit on Check your file, then Next.
- Allow the access, entering the QB admin password and then click Next.
The scan time of QB File Doctor depends on your company file size and might even take 10-15 minutes. The scan may states its unsuccessful even if the issues are fixed. Once the scan finishes, launch QB and open your company file.
Resolve network issues with QuickBooks File Doctor test results
The File Doctor in QuickBooks helps repair damaged company files and identifies common network or hosting issues. Below are the possible test results and how to fix them. Let’s get started:
Below are the different sections of each test result and how to resolve them; let’s begin.
1. Hosting mode is off
If the hosting mode is disabled, you will eventually fail to host the company file on the network. Follow the steps below to ensure that hosting mode is enabled on the server computer:
| Note: The main or server computer hosts your company file; other computers are connected. Thus, you must enable the hosting only on the server. |
- Launch QuickBooks on your server computer.
- Choose File from the top menu bar.
- Hit on Switch to multi-user mode to enable the hosting.
Now, check each of your workstations and repeat the above steps:
- Launch QuickBooks on your server computer.
- Choose File from the top menu bar.
- If the option is, Switch to single-user mode; don’t select it.
- Move to the next workstation, and if the option is Switch to multi-user mode, select it.
2. Folder containing the file is not writable or is not shared
Sometimes, the folder holding your company file does not have the right set of permissions to share with other users over the network.
Proceed with the steps below to set up a folder and Windows access permissions to share company files:
a. Setting up the folder permissions
Let’s set the QuickBooks file folder permissions correctly to ensure that the company file can be shared on a multi-user network:
Verify that permissions are set correctly
- Launch the Windows Start menu on your computer.
- Find the QuickBooks company file folder and right-click on it. Select Properties.
- Choose Advanced from the Security tab.
- Click on QBDataServiceUserXX then select 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 the permissions aren’t set correctly:
- Locate the QuickBooks company file folder and right-click on it. Choose Properties.
- Click on Security and then Edit.
- Select QBDataServiceUserXX, then hit on Full Control, Allow.
- Choose Apply and click OK.
Change folder permissions
In case you want to adjust the file folder permissions:
- Open the Windows Start menu and search for File Explorer.
- Hit Enter to open it.
- Find the below company file 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, follow the steps below for each file folder. Keep in mind that you may not have all the folders, as some folders are version-specific.
- Right-click on the folder and choose Properties from the drop-down.
- Move to the Security tab and select Everyone.
| Note: If you can’t find the Everyone option in the Group or User Name checkbox, select Add and type in Everyone. Then select OK |
- Choose Full Control and click on Apply. The, select OK.
b. Set Windows access permissions to share company files
Ensure that QuickBooks has the correct permissions to prevent issues in the future when hosting or working with your company files on Windows over the network.
- Launch the Windows Start menu, type File Explorer, and then hit Enter.
- Locate the QB company file folder, then right-click it.
- Choose Properties, click Sharing, then Share Add.
- Find and select the corresponding version of QBDataServiceUserXX.
- Now, set both users’ permission levels to Full Control, then choose Share.
3. No network connectivity
Ensure to have at least one working TCP/IP adapter and the host-name of the local computer is resolvable.
4. Run IPConfig
The IPConfig tools verify the TCP/IP configuration of your computer and help to troubleshoot problems using QuickBooks on a network.
The most common IPConfig commands are:
| Command | Descriptions |
| ipconfig | basic TCP/IP information |
| ipconfig /all | detailed TCP/IP information |
| ipconfig /renew | Renew the IPv4 address for all network adapters |
| ipconfig /release | Release the IPv4 address for all network adapters |
To run ipconfig:
- Click on the Windows Start button.
- In the search field, type CMD and hit the Enter key.
- This will open the Command Prompt.
- Type ipconfig and press the Enter key.
- For more information on IPConfig, type ipconfig /? at the command prompt, or visit port.microsoft.com. Microsoft.com is not an Intuit website.
5. QBCFMonitorService/QBDBMgrN not running or Firewall is Blocking QuickBooks
You may fail to host your company file or encounter network errors if the firewall blocks internet access for specific QuickBooks programs or files. Updating Windows Firewall to the latest release may also resolve the issue, or you may need to configure Windows Firewall exceptions and ports.
a. QBCFMonitor Service not running:
- Configure the firewall settings to allow the 8019 port for running tools and QuickBooks applications on the server and workstations.
- Check and ensure that hosting is enabled on the server computer.
- Ping the server, as it must be successful for a successful connection between the client and the server.
b. QBDBMgrN not running:
- Configure the Windows Firewall to open the dynamic database port for QuickBooks Desktop File Doctor and all other QB applications and tools. You should configure all client computers and your server.
- Make sure you have turned on hosting on the server.
- Ensure you can ping the server with IP and host-name on the server and all client computers.
Summary
Company file issues and network problems can disrupt your workflow, cause errors, and risk data damage or hosting failures. QuickBooks File Doctor can diagnose and fix these issues, and the steps above can help you troubleshoot network-related problems.
It’s best to seek professional help for further assistance. Contact QuickBookSupportNet today to connect with a certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor at +1(866)500-0076 and get reliable, hassle-free support!
Frequently Asked Question
What does QuickBooks Desktop File Doctor do?
QuickBooks Desktop File Doctor identifies company files and network-related issues and applies a quick fix. The tools primarily fix data damage or display test results for network connectivity issues, which is exactly what prevents the company file from being hosted.
How do you install File Doctor?
The QuickBooks File Doctor installer is no longer available after September 2020. To get the tool, download and install QuickBooks Tool Hub, then open it. This will install the tool on your computer, and you can use it to fix company files or hosting-related issues.
How to repair the QuickBooks desktop file?
QuickBooks allows you to repair the company file using multiple ways, such as using the QuickBooks File Doctor Tool, renaming the extension files, or running the Verify and Rebuild Data utility.
Why is QuickBooks File Doctor Not Working error occurs?
QuickBooks File Doctor may not work due to outdated QuickBooks software, corrupted company files, or incorrect file/folder permissions. Other reasons include firewall or internet connectivity issues, an incomplete or corrupt QuickBooks installation, or running the tool in multi-user mode.
How to fix the QuickBooks network connection error?
Consider restarting your computer to fix the general Internet connection error. If the problem persists, consider updating QuickBooks and using a Windows-compatible version. You can also contact a technical expert to identify and fix the Internet connection error.
Frequently Asked Questions
QuickBooks Desktop File Doctor identifies the company file and network-related issues and runs a quick fix for them. The tools mainly work to fix the data damage or show test results of the network connectivity issue, which is exactly what prevents the hosting of the company file.
The separate installation of QuickBooks File Doctor is not available after September 2020. To get the tool, you need to download and install QuickBooks Tool Hub and then access the tool. This will install the tool on your computer, and you can use it to fix company file or hosting-related issues.
QuickBooks allows you repair the company file using multiple ways such as using the QuickBooks File Doctor, renaming the extension files or running the Verify and Rebuild Data utility.
QuickBooks File Doctor is available in the Tool Hub. To access the utility, first, you need to get the most recent version of QuickBooks Tool Hub for better performance. Run the QBFD utility from the Launchpad to quickly fix your company file.
Consider restarting your computer to fix the general Internet connection error. If the problem persists, consider updating QuickBooks and using a Windows-compatible version. You can also contact a technical expert to identify and fix the Internet connection error.