Common QuickBooks Licensing Issues and How to Solve Them
QuickBooks, a popular accounting software that caters to different business sizes, provides licenses to authorize user access.
However, despite its across-the-board performance and features, users might experience licensing issues that can hinder productivity and lead to frustration.
Addressing licensing issues such as incorrect license details, compatibility issues, or technical glitches is necessary to maintain a smooth workflow.
In this blog, we’ll tell you the most common QuickBooks licensing issues and how to solve them.
QuickBooks Error 15243: Update Error
QuickBooks error 15243 typically occurs when the software installation gets corrupted or incomplete. In this error, there is a concern with QuickBooks File Copy Service (FCS) or Intuit QuickBooks Desktop File Copy Service that stops the installations of QuickBooks to the latest version.
The underlying reason could be the disablement of Intuit FCS Service. The error is also caused by a corrupt file, incomplete QuickBooks installation, or corruption in the Windows registry due to recent QuickBooks software changes.
How To Solve This Issue?
1. Repair QuickBooks Installation:
Use the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool to diagnose and repair issues related to QuickBooks installation files. Download and run the tool from the official Intuit website, and follow the prompts to scan and repair any detected issues.
2. Update QuickBooks Manually:
If automatic updates fail, download the latest update from the QuickBooks website. Install the update manually by running the downloaded installation file and following the on-screen instructions.
3. Check Firewall and Security Settings:
Ensure that your firewall or antivirus software is not blocking QuickBooks from accessing the update server. Temporarily disable firewall and antivirus protection before attempting to update QuickBooks, and enable them after the update is complete.
4. Restart and Update:
Sometimes, simply restarting your computer can resolve temporary issues that prevent updates. After restarting, open QuickBooks and attempt to update again to see if the error persists.
QuickBooks Error 6123: Connection to Server Lost
QuickBooks Error 6123 occurs when there is a restriction on system firewalls or damaged data files that disrupt the connection between the network server and company file.
How To Solve This Issue?
1. Run QuickBooks File Doctor:
Download and run the QuickBooks File Doctor tool to diagnose and repair network issues and damaged company files. The File Doctor can detect and resolve connectivity problems that lead to Error 6123.
2. Check Network Configuration:
Verify that all computers in the network are configured to allow QuickBooks access through firewall and security settings. Ensure that the hosting settings on the server computer are correctly configured to enable multi-user access.
3. Restore Backup:
If the company file is damaged, restore a recent file backup to resolve issues with Error 6123. To prevent data loss, ensure backups are regularly created and stored in a secure location.
4. Update QuickBooks and Server:
Ensure that both QuickBooks software and the server where the company file is hosted are updated to the latest versions. Compatibility issues between different QuickBooks versions can sometimes lead to connectivity problems.
QuickBooks Error 6190 and 816: File Mismatch
QuickBooks Errors 6190 and 816 arise in multi-user mode when one user is already logged in to the company file with single-user mode and another user is trying to access it. Generally, this happens due to discrepancies between the company file and the transaction log file (.tlg).
How To Solve This Issue?
1. Use QuickBooks File Doctor:
Run the QuickBooks File Doctor tool to scan, resolve, and repair the company file (.qbw) and the transaction log file (.tlg).
2. Single-User Mode Conversion:
Open the company file in single-user mode and then switch back to multi-user mode to refresh the file synchronization to resolve temporary conflicts that cause Errors 6190 and 816.
3. Update QuickBooks and Server:
Ensure that all computers accessing the company file are utilizing the same version of QuickBooks. Update QuickBooks to the latest release to prevent compatibility issues that lead to file mismatch errors.
4. Copy Company File Locally:
Copy the company file (.qbw) and the transaction log file (.tlg) to the local drive of the computer where QuickBooks is installed. Opening the file can sometimes resolve network-related issues contributing to Errors 6190 and 816.
QuickBooks Error 1904: Installation Error
QuickBooks Error 1904 occurs during the installation of QuickBooks, typically due to issues with installing the necessary components or incorrect permissions.
How To Solve This Issue?
1. Install QuickBooks as Administrator:
Log in to Windows as an Administrator or a user with administrative rights. Right-click on the QuickBooks installation file and select “Run as Administrator” to ensure full installation permissions.
2. Update Windows and Components:
Ensure that your Windows operating system is updated to the latest version. Also, update Microsoft components such as the .NET Framework, MSXML, and Visual C++ redistributables required by QuickBooks.
3. Repair Microsoft Components:
Download the Microsoft Component Repair Tool from the Microsoft website to follow the instructions to repair any detected issues.
4. Check Disk Space and Permissions:
Verify that your computer has sufficient disk space to install QuickBooks and that the installation location has the necessary read/write permissions. Temporarily disable antivirus or security software during the installation process, as it might be interfering with file operations.
QuickBooks Error H202: Network Issue
The QuickBooks error occurs when you attempt to switch QuickBooks to multi-user mode. It fails because of network configuration issues, firewall settings, or incorrect hosting configuration.
Sometimes, the error could occur due to disabled multi-user mode on the workstations and servers or incorrect hosting configuration settings.
How To Solve This Issue?
1. Run QuickBooks Database Server Manager:
Install and run the QuickBooks Database Server Manager on the computer where the company file is stored (server). Scan the folder where the company file is located to ensure it is configured as a QuickBooks company file directory.
2. Verify Hosting Settings:
Open QuickBooks on the server computer and go to the File menu > Utilities > Stop Hosting Multi-User Access. Repeat the process to Start Hosting Multi-User Access to reset hosting settings and resolve connectivity issues.
3. Configure Firewall and Security Settings:
Adjust firewall and security software settings to allow QuickBooks access to the necessary ports and permissions for multi-user mode. Create firewall exceptions for QuickBooks and its components to prevent them from being blocked during network communication.
4. Check Network Connectivity:
Ensure that all computers in the network have stable and reliable internet connections. Test the network connectivity between computers hosting QuickBooks and those accessing the company file to verify network reliability.
QuickBooks Error 6000: Unable to Open Company File
QuickBooks Error 6000 indicates that QuickBooks cannot open the company file due to issues with file access permissions, network configuration, or data corruption.
Users commonly face issues related to incorrect or mismatched license numbers or product codes while installing QuickBooks on their devices.
Error messages such as “Invalid license number,” “Product and license mismatch,” or “License not found” will appear on their screen.
When you input a license number or product code that does not match the version or edition of QuickBooks you are installing, the software cannot authenticate the license.
If this happens, the mismatch can result in error messages that prevent you from continuing the installation or activating the software.
How To Solve This Issue?
1. Use QuickBooks File Doctor:
Download and run the QuickBooks File Doctor tool to diagnose and repair issues with the company file (.qbw) and its associated components. The File Doctor can automatically resolve file access issues and repair data corruption that prevents file opening.
2. Copy the Company File to a Different Location:
Copy the company file (.qbw) to a different location, such as the desktop or another drive on the computer. Opening the file from a different location can sometimes bypass permissions or configuration issues preventing access.
3. Verify File Path and Permissions:
Check the file path of the company file to ensure it does not exceed Windows’s maximum character limit. Verify that the user account accessing the company file has sufficient permissions to read, write, and modify files in the folder.
4. Update QuickBooks and Components:
Ensure that QuickBooks is updated to the latest version to prevent compatibility issues that may prevent file opening. Update Microsoft components such as .NET Framework, MSXML, and Visual C++ redistributable required by QuickBooks for optimal performance.
5. Verify and Validate License Information:
Begin by carefully verifying the license number and product code you have entered. These details are usually provided in the purchase confirmation email or on the product packaging. Ensure there are no typos or formatting errors.
Use the “Manage My License” option in QuickBooks to correct the information. QuickBooks licenses are version-specific and edition-specific. Ensure the license number and product code correspond exactly to the version (e.g., QuickBooks Desktop Pro 2024) and edition (e.g., Standard, Premier, Enterprise) you intend to install.
Use Intuit’s License Verification Tool: Intuit provides tools like the License Verification Tool that help you confirm whether the license number and product code match the intended QuickBooks version and edition.
How to troubleshoot common QuickBooks issues?
Check System Requirements:
Ensure that your system meets the minimum requirements for the version of QuickBooks you are installing. Inadequate system specifications can sometimes lead to compatibility issues, including license validation failures.
Update QuickBooks:
Install the latest updates and patches for QuickBooks. Intuit regularly releases updates to address compatibility issues and enhance software functionality. Updating may resolve issues related to mismatched license/product numbers.
Contact QuickBooks Support:
If you have verified all details and the issue still persists, contact QuickBooks technical support who will provide specific guidance and assistance in resolving licensing issues by verifying the validity of your license information in their system.
Verify and Validate Activation Information:
You need to ensure that you have entered the correct license number and product code and that matches the QuickBooks version you are logging in for.
If you think there’s a typo entering the license information, delete the existing entries and carefully re-enter the details. Pay attention to formatting and any special characters.
Resolve Network and Connectivity Issues:
To establish successful communication with Intuit’s activation servers, you must ensure the network connection is stable. Disable Firewall and Antivirus: Due to the security settings of the Firewall and Antivirus, it doesn’t allow activation. Try to disable the firewall and antivirus software and then reactivate the QuickBooks license.
Check if the License Number is Already in Use:
If QuickBooks prompts that the license number is already used on another computer. Ensure that the license is deactivated on any previous installations before attempting reactivation. Use Intuit’s License Manager to manage and deactivate licenses from previous installations if necessary.
Reactivation After Hardware Changes:
If you reinstall QuickBooks on a new computer or after hardware changes (e.g., hard drive replacement), properly deactivate QuickBooks on the old system to release the license for use on the new hardware device.
The Bottom Line
Resolving QuickBooks errors requires an organized procedure and an understanding of the specific issues affecting your QuickBooks software.
We hope you can effectively troubleshoot and resolve common issues that may arise during installation, updates, file access, and network connectivity.
For persistent issues or complex scenarios, leveraging QuickBooks support resources ensures timely resolution and minimal disruption to your business operations.
