Using QuickBooks features, millions of businesses have automated and simplified accounting tasks. No doubt, it is the most eminent and widely used program, but like anything else, it may also have consequences, which we are going to discuss within this blog.

QuickBooks multi-user mode not working is an issue that hinders your daily operations while accessing company files over the network. To smoothly use this feature, you must have a QuickBooks license on your workstations. You might take time to observe the occurrence of this error because sometimes, it doesn’t encounter any error message, but instead opens up a single-user mode. Let’s dig into the blog and learn various causes that lead to this issue and the methods to fix it.

At first, you can try the following methods to get rid of the issue with multi-user mode. If this fails to help you resolve it, don’t hesitate to contact a QuickBooks expert and ask for their guidance by dialing 1.855.738.2784.

Root Causes Behind QuickBooks Multi-User Mode Not Working

1. One of the leading causes behind this error can be an improperly installed QuickBooks.
2. You are prone to this error due to misconfiguration in hosting a multi-user environment.
3. The Firewall blocks Communication and prevents QuickBooks from contacting the company files.
4. When the database server can’t access the QuickBooks company file, this gives rise to the issue.
5. Improper setup of Windows file permissions can be counted as another possible reason for this issue.
6. QBCFMonitorService Not Running On This Computer can also be responsible for your inability to access the company file.

Steps to Perform When QuickBooks Multi-user Mode Doesn’t Work

If you are keen to know the steps that can effectively tackle the issue we have discussed above. Follow the instructions given in this section:

Step 1: Verifying that permissions are set correctly

1. Press the Win key.
2. Search File Explorer.
3. Hit Enter.
4. Here, you are required to shift towards the folder that contains the company file.
5. Click Properties.
6. Select the Security tab.
7. Click Advanced.
8. Go to QBDataServiceUserXX.
9. Choose Edit.

Allow the following settings:

1. Traverse Folder/Execute File
2. List Folder/Read Data
3. Read Attributes
4. Read Extended Attributes
5. Create Files/Write Data
6. Create Folders/Append Data
7. Write Attributes
8. Write Extended Attributes
9. Read Permissions

Step 2: Install the QuickBooks Database Manager 

Follow the steps below to download it:

1. Close all programs, including QuickBooks.
2. Open Setup_QuickBooks.exe.
3. Navigate the instructions.
4. Here, you are given two options: choose Custom or Network options from the Custom or Network and Express options.
5. Click Next.
6. Select the best option for your network setup.
7. Tap Next.
8. Clicking I will not use QuickBooks Desktop on this computer would be an appropriate option if you only need the Database Server Manager on your server computer. 
9. Clicking, I'll be using QuickBooks Desktop on this computer, AND I'll be storing our company file here so it can be shared over our network. (strongly recommend) would be an appropriate option if both the Database Server Manager and QuickBooks Desktop are required.
10. Navigate the instructions. 
11. Click Install.
12. Windows may ask you for permission.

Step 3: Review roles and permissions

1. Open the Company Menu.
2. Click User.
3. Click Set Up Users and Roles.
4. Enter the User and password.
5. Click OK.
6. Move to the Role List tab.
7. Click View Permissions.
8. Select the roles you want to review.
9. Click Display.

Step 4: Scanning the Folder

1. Open the Start menu from the host computer.
2. Go to the search bar.
3. Type Database.
4. Open QuickBooks Database Server Manager.
5. Select the Scan Folders tab.
6. Click Browse.
7. Select the folder that keeps company files (QBW).
8. Click OK.
9. Click Start Scan.

Step 5: Enable hosting on the server computer

1. Select the File menu.
2. Click Utilities.
3. Choose Host multi-user.
4. Click Yes.

In the End

To wrap up the blog, it is observed that multiple reasons are responsible for the occurrence of QuickBooks multi-user mode not working. We hope that the provided solutions are helpful and effective.

You can also read: QuickBooks Closes Unexpectedly, How to Fix it?

FAQs

How can I configure QuickBooks' multi-user mode?

1. Check the Hosting Configuration.
2. Install the QuickBooks Database Server Manager.
3. Verify Firewall and Antivirus Settings.
4. Run the QuickBooks File Doctor Tool.
5. Check for File Corruption.
6. Update QuickBooks to the Latest Version.

What does multi-user mode mean?

A functionality offered by Intuit, which allows users to access the documents and company files over the network simultaneously.