QuickBooks Desktop Multi-User Mode: Fix QuickBooks Error H303

While you switch to multi-user mode – QuickBooks error code H303 may occur. You must be wondering when everything goes right, what happens suddenly, that there comes an issue in multi-user mode.

You can use the solutions shared in this blog to fix the error, but, in case you do not want to risk any data damage and require QuickBooks experts’ help, contact us at +1(866)500-0076.

Watch videos to learn: How to set up your company settings, How to add & manage users, and How to run payroll & set up direct deposit.

Fix QuickBooks Error H303 with the solutions below.

• Host your own network.
• To do so, you are first required to install QuickBooks Database Server Manager on your server. Well, there are two ways via which you can set up your QB Server Manager.

The Full Program option: Full Program includes the full version of QuickBooks Desktop and QB Server Manager on your host/server PC.

The Server Only: In this option, you are allowed to install only Server Manager on your host/server PC.

Run QuickBooks Database Server Manager on your host PC with the QuickBooks Tool Hub.

Step 1: Download and install the QuickBooks Tools Hub on your server

QuickBooks Tool Hub, developed by Intuit, is used to fix common QuickBooks errors. To operate the tool hub for this purpose, it is necessary to close the QuickBooks application.
It is recommended to use Tool Hub on Windows 11, 64-bit, for the best experience.

• Shut down the QuickBooks application.
• Download the latest version of the QuickBooks Tool Hub 1.6.0.8.
• Save the Tools Hub downloaded file at an easy-to-reach location. For example, you could save it on the desktop or the downloads folder.

Note:- If you are already using the QuickBooks tool hub, confirm the version by clicking on the Home tab, and look at the bottom of the drop-down.

• Open the file QuickBooksToolHub.exe.
• Continue with the on-screen instructions.
• Install and agree to their terms and conditions.
• Once the installation process is finished, double-click on the icon of the tool hub and open the program.

Note:- In case you won’t be able to fetch the icon, simply search the QuickBooks Tool hub in Windows and select the program.

Step 2: Run the QuickBooks Database Server Manager on your server PC.

• Your server PC is the one that has possession of your QuickBooks company file(s). Whereas the other PCs that are connected to the network are your workstations.
• Open the Tools hub and select Network Issues.
• Click on the QuickBooks Database Server Manager.

Note:- If QB is not on your server PC, it will ask you to install it.

• When you open the QuickBooks Database Server Manager, click on Start Scan if you see company file folder(s). Or, you can browse to the location of your company file. After this, click on Start Scan.

• The Database server manager repairs your firewall permissions automatically, and when the scan is finished, click on Close.
• Launch QuickBooks on each workstation where you encountered the error code H303.
• Choose the File and then click on Switch to Multi-user Mode.

Step 3: Run the QuickBooks File Doctor from the Tool Hub

• Within the Tool Hub, click on Company File Issues.
• Click on Run QuickBooks File Doctor.

Note:- If File Doctor does not open, search for QuickBooks Desktop File Doc and open the application manually.

• Select your company file in the QuickBooks File Doctor. In case, the file is discovered, use Browse to search the file.
• Click on Check your Network and hit Continue.
• Enter your QuickBooks admin password and hit Next.

Now, try to switch to QuickBooks for multiple users mode. If you are successful in doing so, it means the QuickBooks error is fixed. If you are still facing the QuickBooks Error Code H303, try the next solution.

Fix QuickBooks Desktop Multi-user Mode Error H303

Solution 1: Check the services on your server

Important for the Full Program option: If you are using the Full version of QuickBooks on your host PC, turn ON multi-user hosting. Launch QuickBooks on your host PC. Navigate to the File and click on Utilities. If you get the option “Host Multi-User Access”, click on it. If you get “Stop Hosting Multi-User Access”, do not click on it.

• Ensure that your QuickBooks is running on your server PC. Apply the steps shared below and check QuickBooksDBXX. Once done, apply the same for QBCFMonitorService.
• On your server PC, click on the Windows Start menu.
• Type Run in the search box and open Run.
• Type “services.msc” in the Run window and hit Enter.

• On the list, find and double-click on QuickBooksDBXX.

Note:- XX is your version of QuickBooks plus 10. For example, if you are using QuickBooks 2023, then it means QuickBooksDB33 needs to be clicked.

• Click on Automatic in the Startup type option.
• Ensure that the Service status is either Running or Started. If none is selected, click on Start.
• Click on the Recovery tab and select Restart the Service from each of the drop-downs:
  • First Failure
  • Second Failure
  • Subsequent Failures
• Click on Apply and then click OK to finally save the changes.
• Apply the same steps for QBCFMonitorService.

When you are done with the solution, launch QuickBooks on each workstation. Navigate to the File menu and click on Switch to Multi-user Mode. If you are able to switch on Multi-user mode in QuickBooks, the error H303 is fixed. If not, continue with Solution 2.

Solution 2: Add the service to your Windows admin group on your server

In case not, give QuickBooksDBXX and QBCFMonitorService admin permissions on your server PC.

Set Windows access permissions to share company files.

• Click on the Windows Start menu and open File Explorer.
• Right-click on the folder where your company files are saved.
• Click on Properties and then click on Advanced in the Security tab.
• Choose QBDataServiceUserXX and click on Edit.

Allow the following settings:

• 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 above permissions are not set accordingly:

• Right-click on the folder that has your company file and click on Properties.
• Choose Security and click on Edit.
• Choose QBDataServiceUserXX and click on Full Control.
• Now, hit Allow.
• Click on Apply and hit OK.

Change Folder Permissions For QuickBooks

• Open the Windows Start menu and open File Explorer.
• Find and right-click the folders listed below:

• 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, we are moving ahead with Windows access permissions to share company files

Windows 10

• Click on the Windows Start menu and open the File Explorer.
• Find the company files folder and right-click on it.
• Now, click on Properties, select Sharing, and then choose Share Add.
• Choose the corresponding QBDataServiceUserXX for your version.
• Configure and set the permissions to Full Control for both users, and click on Share.

Windows Server 2012

• Click on the Windows Start menu.
• Enter Run in the search box and open the Run Command.
• Enter “ServiceManager” and hit OK.
• Click on File and Storage Services and then choose Shares.
• Choose New Share on the Task drop-down.
• Click on SMB Share – Quick.
• Click on Type a custom path from the Share location section and then browse the folder that you want to share.
• Select the folder and click on Select a folder and hit Next.

Note:- Under the Configure Share settings window, you may leave the default selections and click on Next again.

Solution 3: Configure your Windows firewall settings on your server

Ensure that your server PC allows QuickBooks to function through the 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:

QuickBooks Desktop 2020 and later: 8019, XXXXX.

QuickBooks Desktop 2019: 8019, XXXXX.

QuickBooks Desktop 2018: 8019, 56728, 55378-55382.

QuickBooks Desktop 2017: 8019, 56727, 55373-55377

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.

Get your dynamic port number

• Click on Next after you enter the port number.
• Click on Allow the connection and hit Next.

• Again, click on Next when prompted and ensure that all profiles are marked as checked.
• Now, create a new rule and give it a name in the format QBPorts(Year).
• Once you are done, click on Finish.

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

Add Port Exceptions:

• The first step is to right-click on Inbound or Outbound Rules.
• Now choose “New Rule” and click on “Port > Next”.

• Click on the “TCP” section and enter the port numbers aligned with the QuickBooks version you are using. It could be 56728, 55378, or 8019.
• If you are using QuickBooks 2020 or a later version, you need to use the “Dynamic Port” along with 8019. Follow the further on-screen instructions and finally click on “Allow the connection”.

• Click on Next and ensure that all profiles are being marked.
• Again, click on Next and create a Rule.
• Finally, name it in the format QBFirewallException(name.exe).
• Follow the same steps for other QuickBooks executable files and ports. Now, you can restart the PC.

Executable files	Location
AutoBackupExe.exe	C:\Program Files\Intuit\QUICKBOOKS YEAR
Dbmlsync.exe	C:\Program Files\Intuit\QUICKBOOKS YEAR
DBManagerExe.exe	C:\Program Files\Intuit\QUICKBOOKS YEAR
FileManagement.exe	C:\Program Files\Intuit\QUICKBOOKS YEAR
FileMovementExe.exe	C:\Program Files\Intuit\QUICKBOOKS YEAR
QuickBooksMessaging.exe	C:\Program Files\Intuit\QUICKBOOKS YEAR
QBW32.exe	C:\Program Files\Intuit\QUICKBOOKS YEAR
QBDBMgrN.exe	C:\Program Files\Intuit\QUICKBOOKS YEAR
QBServerUtilityMgr.exe	C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intuit\QuickBooks
QBCFMonitorService.exe	C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intuit\QuickBooks
QBLaunch.exe	C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intuit\QuickBooks
QBUpdate.exe	C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intuit\QuickBooks\QBUpdate
IntuitSyncManager.exe	C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intuit\Sync
OnlineBackup.exe	C:\Program Files\QuickBooks Online Backup

• Check your antivirus or firewall settings.

Even after you configured your firewall settings accordingly and are still facing any QuickBooks error related to firewall settings, rectify your anti-virus security settings.

• Add the QuickBooks ports exception to your antivirus or firewall.

In case you are still dealing with errors while opening any of your files in a Multi-user mode or over a network, you need to add port exceptions for the executable files that are shared above in the table.

You need to ensure that TCP is being selected and enter the ports for your QuickBooks version.

• Once you set up Windows Firewall exceptions, launch QuickBooks on your workstations.
• Navigate to the File and click on Switch to Multi-user mode – QuickBooks.

Solution 4: Ping your server from a workstation

• 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 H303.

Preventive Tips to Avoid Common QuickBooks Error

Here are five preventive tips you must follow for a smooth workflow of QuickBooks and all its features.

• Use only the updated QuickBooks application with the latest version.
• Configure Firewall Exceptions settings. Keep firewall settings accordingly.
• You must periodically scan QuickBooks to fix any corrupt or damaged files
• Always ensure that your PC is up-to-date.
• Make sure that there is no third-party interference.

Conclusion

We hope the QuickBooks error H303 is fixed. It is important that your QuickBooks application can access your company file. This is guide is also for fixing QuickBooks Desktop multi-users issue and install and setup multi-user network in QuickBooks Desktop.

It could happen that standard fixes would not work 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 QuickBookSupportNet at +1(866)500-0076

Click on the link and learn How to add your payroll tax info.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is QuickBooks Error H303 in Windows 11?

QuickBooks Error H303 usually pops up when QuickBooks Desktop can’t reach your company file in multi-user mode. It is basically a network communication issue that stops your computer from connecting to the server where the file is stored.

Is It Safe to Fix QuickBooks Error H303 on My Own?

Yes, you can safely try the common QuickBooks H303 troubleshooting steps yourself.

Just make sure to create a fresh backup of your company file first. If you have tried a few solutions and the error keeps coming back, stop there and contact a QuickBooks expert at +1(866)500-0076 for professional help.

Why Does QuickBooks Error H303 Happen?

You will usually see the H303 QuickBooks network error when your system can’t connect properly to the host server in multi-user mode.

This can happen due to:

• Wrong hosting settings.
• Firewall or network blocking QuickBooks.
• Damaged or missing .ND (Network Data) files.
• QuickBooks services are not running on the server.

What If the Error Still Isn’t Fixed After All the Steps?

If you have already tried all recommended fixes and Error H303 still refuses to go away, it’s time to reach out to a QuickBooks specialist at +1(866)500-0076 for deeper technical support.

Are QuickBooks Errors H101, H202, and H505 Similar to H303?

Yes! Errors H101, H202, H303, and H505 are all part of the same family of QuickBooks multi-user connection errors. They usually require similar solutions because they all point to problems accessing your company file on the network.

How to set up multi-user mode for my company file, so multiple users can make transactions simultaneously?

Setting up multi-user mode in QuickBooks lets several people open the same company file and make transactions at once. Here is how to set it up the easy way:

• Install QuickBooks on Every Computer
• Put the Company File on the Server
• Turn On Hosting on the Server Computer Only
• Turn Off Hosting on All Other Computers
• Enable QuickBooks Services (QBDBMgrN)
• Check Your Network & Firewall
• Switch to Multi-User Mode