QuickBooks is the best software for accounting work. Widely known for its numerous features and functions, which are used by many small and medium-sized businesses. Sometimes, a user could face an issue with not opening the company file. This error shows when QuickBooks fails to open a company file. When this error shows, that means something is blocking access or stopping the company file from loading correctly in QuickBooks. There are several reasons behind that can cause this issue.

Here in this blog, we have discussed the reason behind the cannot open company file in QuickBooks Desktop, precautions before starting to troubleshoot, how to fix QuickBooks cannot open the company file and Precautions before starting to troubleshoot.

The Reason Behind the Cannot Open Company File in QuickBooks Desktop

To fix unable to open QuickBooks Company file issue, you have to find out its root cause that what is the reason behind this issue. Here are some reasons behind the company file can’t open in QuickBooks:

·      Checking the File for Damage: Any missing or Corrupted QBWUSER>INI file in the QuickBooks QBW file can be a reason for the QuickBooks being unable to open the company file issue.

·      Identify Any Software Conflict: Make sure that any third-party software is not conflicting with the QuickBooks software. QuickBooks software secures your personal details and makes sure that no other third-party software steals information.

·      Not Updated QuickBooks: Users have to make sure that they are using the latest version of the QuickBooks software. Sometimes the User cannot open QuickBooks file because of not have the updated version of the QuickBooks software.

·      Long Company File Name: This issue also occurs when the company file name is too lengthy. You should ensure that the company file name is short so that it can remain useful.

·      Corrupted Hard Drive: If your system has a corrupted hard drive on which the QuickBooks software was installed, then you will face QuickBooks cannot open Company File issue. That is the reason you always have to ensure that your system’s hard drive is working and performing well.

·      Damaged Program File: Damage in the program file is also a major reason for this issue. Thus, you always have to check the program files.

·      Damaged Windows Operating System: If the Windows operating system that you have installed becomes corrupted, then it causes QuickBooks can’t open Company File issue.

·      Corrupted QuickBooks Data: If the QuickBooks data is itself corrupted then it can be the reason for this issue.

Precautions Before Starting to Troubleshoot.

There are some precautions provided for you before you start to troubleshoot:

·      Before starting the troubleshooting for the company file, you should make sure that the issue is coming from the company file only not from the program itself.

·      You have to remember that you have to update QuickBooks software to the latest version.

·      Make sure that your QuickBooks Desktop program is not corrupted which can cause issues.

·      Your company file should be hosted only on a single computer.

Solutions to Fix QuickBooks Cannot Open Company File

Some solutions are mentioned below to fix QuickBooks cannot open company file, following which you can easily fix this problem:

Solution 1: Rename. TLG and. ND files

·      Open the company file where the company file is saved.

·      Right click on the file with the. TLG extension. File name is matched to the company file.

·      You have to rename the. ND file to OLD.qbw.ND.

·      Open the company file and QuickBooks will automatically create new. TLG and. ND files.

Solution 2: Directly Open a File from QuickBooks

Step 1: Open the company file of the accountant’s copy

·      Firstly, go to the file menu.

·      After that, choose to open or restore the company.

·      Now choose a company file and click next to proceed.

·      After that, you can choose a company file and click on the open button.

Step 2: Restoring a Backup file

·      Find the file menu and click on the Open or Restore company file.

·      After that select open a company file and then click on the next button.

·      Select the local backup option and then click on the next.

·      After that you will see a backup file option select it and then click on the next button.

·      Now you can select the location to save the restored file.

Step 3: Restoring an Accountant’s copy file

·      Go to the company file and click Open or Restore company.

·      After that, you have to convert an Accountant’s copy Transfer file and then click on the next button.

·      You have to click on the next button again on the information window.

·      After that you must select the transfer file.

·      Then click on the next button.

·      Now you must save the file on the desired location.

Solution 3: Open the QuickBooks File from Another Desktop

·      Firstly, you have to go to the QuickBooks file menu and there select and open or restore the company.

·      Now according to your file type, you can choose the suitable option.

·      After that go to the location of the file that you are trying to open.

·      Choose file option and click open button.

Solution 4: Copy File for New Location

·      First you have to create a new folder in the C Drive.

·      After that open the folder where your company file is saved.

·      Hold the Ctrl key then selects the company file and its .TLG file.

·      After that you have to right click on the company file and choose to copy it.

·      Now you have to open the new folder in the C Drive and right click on it. Then choose paste.

Solution 5: Don’t Save the Desktop When Closing QuickBooks

·      First you have to open your QuickBooks Desktop.

·      After that you should select your company file.

·      Press and hold the Alt key and then select the open option.

·      Release the Alt key and then enter your password. After that press enter.

·      Go to the edit and then preferences.

·      Select Desktop view and then select Dont save the Desktop.

·      After that click on the OK button.

·      After that you can restart QuickBooks. Try opening the company file again.

Solution 6: Check the Properties and File Extension

·      You have to open the folder where the company file is saved.

·      After that right click the company file and choose properties.

·      You have to remember one thing that the type of the file is a QuickBooks Company file and the File size is a minimum of 7MB.

·      Choose the advanced option and ensure that the boxes compress and encrypt attributes are unchecked.

·      At last, select the Ok button.

Solution 7: Troubleshoot the QuickBooks Installation

·      You can run the reboot .bat file.

·      Repair the QuickBooks installation.

·      Reinstall using a clean install.

Solution 8: Turn off the ‘Save when closing’ feature

If you have a few windows or any reports that are set to open automatically then it can freeze QuickBooks when it starts on startup. You have to stop this from opening automatically.

·      Firstly, you need to open QuickBooks Desktop.

·      After that you have to go to the No Company Open window. From the list select your company file. Then hold the Alt button and choose the Open option at the same time.

Once your company file is opened then we need to turn off the Save when closing feature.

·      In the top menu bar, you have to click on the Edit menu and then select the Preferences option.

·      After that click on the Desktop View tab.

·      And then select the Don’t Save the desktop option and then save it.

·      Finally, you can close QuickBooks and open it again. And then try to open the company file again.

Solution 9: Open a Sample Company File

·      Primarily you should go to the Windows Start menu.

·      After that go to the search bar and type file explorer.

·      Then open the file explorer.

·      Now in the file explorer go to the QuickBooks.exe file. You can find this file in the QuickBooks folder.

·      When you’ve found the file then hold the Ctrl button.

·      If you want to access the same file you need to double click on the QuickBooks.exe file.

·      You need to select QuickBooks from the Desktop and you can also press the Ctrl button easily until QuickBooks opens.

·      After that choose to open a sample file.

If the sample file opens normally then it means there are issue with the company file which you have to fix through the QuickBooks tool hub. From the tools hub, you have to run the Quick Fix My Program.

Solution 10: Fix the POS Company File Issue with the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic Tool

To fix the POS company file issue with the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic tool you can use the QuickBooks Tool Hub and you can also Install Diagnostic tool to resolve your problems.

·      You have to open the QuickBooks Tool Hub.

·      After that you must choose the QuickBooks Install Diagnostic