QuickBooks Already Has a Company File Open Issue What to do next?

September 2, 2022

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QuickBooks allows multiple users to access the company file by using its multi-user mode. The multi-user mode enables various users on the same network to access the file. This means there is a possibility that a file you are trying to access might already be open on another computer on the same network. This scenario creates an issue, and you might see an error message stating “QuickBooks already has a company file open” on your screen. This issue mostly occurs due to an incorrect hosting setup and can be resolved with the help of a few simple solutions. In this article, we are going to provide you with the reasons and solutions for this QuickBooks problem.

If you are having trouble resolving the error or understanding the steps to perform, you can reach out to us at +1- 855 738 2784 and get assistance from our technical team

Reasons Why the “Can’t Open QuickBooks Already has a Company File Open” Problem Arises?

If you are unable to open the QuickBooks company file, the following factors might be responsible –

The multi-user setup on the server computer and the workstations is incorrect.
Third-party applications are running in the background, interrupting QuickBooks’ processes.
Another user is making changes to the company file you are trying to access.
QuickBooks Database Server Manager is not active, or it is not running.
The installation ID you are using is for a single user only.
You are using different QuickBooks paths to open a specific company file.
The company file name differs from the one setup in QQube Configuration Tool.

Effective Steps to Perform when QuickBooks Says Company File is in Use

If you are getting the “can’t open QuickBooks already has a company file open” message, follow these solutions to eliminate it –

Solution 1. Install the Latest Updates and Upgrade Your QuickBooks Desktop

The first and foremost step is to make sure that your QuickBooks is updated to the latest release. If not, you need to install updates to get rid of any minor bugs and errors that might be causing the company file issue.

Press F2 to open the Product Information window and check the current version of QuickBooks installed on your computer.
Now, go to the QuickBooks Help menu and select the Update QuickBooks Desktop option to download the latest available updates.
Once the updates are downloaded, follow the on-screen instructions and reopen QuickBooks to select the Install Now option.
Check if you are able to access the company file without any error post-completion of the update process.

Solution 2. Enable Server Hosting and Disable Workstation Hosting

The next step is to correct the hosting setup on your server computer and all the workstations.
On the workstation having issues, open QuickBooks and head to the QuickBooks File menu.
From the Utilities tab, select the Stop Hosting Multi-User Access option to disable the multi-hosting mode.
Repeat this step on all your workstations to enable the single-user hosting mode.
Open your server computer and access the QuickBooks File menu to go to the Utilities option.
Click on Host Multi-User Access to enable multi-user hosting on the server computer and fix the hosting setup.
Once done, try opening your QuickBooks company file on the network and see if you are getting the “can’t open
QuickBooks already has a company file open” error message.

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Solution 3. Verify the File Extension and Check if you are Accessing the Right File Type

Sometimes the error can occur due to basic problems like the file extension being wrong. You need to check that the company file you are accessing has the .QBW extension. If you are using the right extension, try opening the .QBW file manually to see if the company file is damaged.

Solution 4. Access the Task Manager and End All QuickBooks Processes

Terminate all the QuickBooks processes from the Task Manager to fix the issues with opening your company file.
Find the taskbar at the bottom of your system to open the Task Manager or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
Go to the Processes tab and look for the QuickBooks processes that are currently running.
Find the QBDBMgrN.exe process and right-click on it to select Delete and terminate the process.
Carry out the same step for other QB processes to delete them, and once done, reopen QuickBooks.

Solution 5. Disable the Quick Startup Option by Using Your Admin Rights

Firstly, run QuickBooks as an admin by right-clicking on the QB Desktop icon and then follow the steps given below –

From the Edit menu, select the Preferences tab and find the General tab from the left pane.
Go to the My Preferences tab and uncheck the Keep QuickBooks running for Quick Startup checkbox.
Now, close QuickBooks and perform a system reboot to get rid of the QuickBooks already has a company file open issue.

Solution 6. Modify the .ND and .TLG File Names to Mend the Damage

Damaged network data and transaction log files can prevent QuickBooks from opening the company file. To fix these file issues, rename the file in the following manner.

Go to the QuickBooks File Directory and look for the files with .ND and .TLG extensions.
Once found, right-click on the file name and select Rename to modify the name.
Add .OLD at the end of the file name as a suffix and hit Enter to save the changes.
Now, change the other file .ND and .TLG file names in a similar manner, and once done, try opening the QuickBooks company file again to check if the issue is resolved.

Conclusion

If your QuickBooks already has a company file open, the issue can be easily eliminated with the help of a few solutions. Perform the steps given in this article and if the issue persists, you might need to perform advanced troubleshooting. For this, you can take assistance from our team of experts by dialing +1- 855 738 2784.

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